CVE-2018-2503 in NetWeaver AS JAVA
Summary
by MITRE
By default, the SAP NetWeaver AS Java keystore service does not sufficiently restrict the access to resources that should be protected. This has been fixed in SAP NetWeaver AS Java (ServerCore versions 7.11, 7.20, 7.30, 7.31, 7.40, 7.50).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/20/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-2503 affects the SAP NetWeaver Application Server Java component where the keystore service fails to properly enforce access controls for protected resources. This weakness allows unauthorized users to potentially access sensitive cryptographic materials and certificate information that should remain restricted within the system. The issue specifically manifests in the default configuration of the server core components where insufficient privileges are enforced for keystore operations, creating a potential attack surface for malicious actors seeking to compromise the security infrastructure. The vulnerability has been addressed in specific versions of SAP NetWeaver AS Java including ServerCore versions 7.11, 7.20, 7.30, 7.31, 7.40, and 7.50, which implement proper access restriction mechanisms.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate access control implementation within the keystore service of the SAP NetWeaver AS Java environment. This represents a classic security misconfiguration where default settings fail to provide adequate protection for sensitive cryptographic assets. The vulnerability allows for unauthorized access to certificate stores, private keys, and other protected resources that are critical for maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of communications within the SAP ecosystem. From a cybersecurity perspective, this issue aligns with CWE-284 which addresses improper access control in software systems. The flaw essentially creates a path for privilege escalation where attackers can bypass normal access restrictions to retrieve sensitive information that should be protected through proper authentication and authorization mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure as it can enable more sophisticated attacks within the SAP environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this weakness could potentially extract cryptographic keys, certificates, or other sensitive materials that would allow them to impersonate legitimate system components or decrypt sensitive communications. This weakness directly impacts the security posture of organizations relying on SAP NetWeaver AS Java for their business applications, particularly in environments where proper segregation of duties and access controls are critical for compliance with security frameworks. The vulnerability also represents a significant concern for organizations following security standards such as those outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ISO 27001, where proper access control is a fundamental requirement for information security management.
Organizations should implement immediate remediation measures including upgrading to the patched versions of SAP NetWeaver AS Java mentioned in the CVE description. Additional mitigations include conducting comprehensive access control reviews, implementing proper privilege management, and ensuring that default configurations are reviewed and hardened before deployment. Security teams should also perform regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar access control weaknesses within their SAP environments. The remediation process should include thorough testing of the updated configurations to ensure that proper access controls are enforced without disrupting legitimate business operations. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability relates to T1552 which covers credentials in files and T1078 which addresses valid accounts, as the weakness allows for unauthorized access to protected resources that typically require proper authentication and authorization. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring for suspicious access patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts.