CVE-2019-0281 in SAPUI5
Summary
by MITRE
SAPUI5 and OpenUI5, before versions 1.38.39, 1.44.39, 1.52.25, 1.60.6 and 1.63.0, does not sufficiently encode user-controlled inputs, resulting in Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/24/2023
SAPUI5 and OpenUI5 represent foundational frameworks for building enterprise web applications within the SAP ecosystem, with SAPUI5 serving SAP's proprietary suite and OpenUI5 as the open-source counterpart. These frameworks facilitate rich user interfaces through extensive client-side JavaScript components and dynamic content rendering. The vulnerability identified in CVE-2019-0281 specifically targets the frameworks' handling of user-provided data within their rendering pipelines, creating a critical security gap that enables malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into web applications built using these technologies. This vulnerability affects multiple release streams of both frameworks, spanning from version 1.38.39 through 1.63.0, indicating a widespread impact across the SAPUI5 and OpenUI5 ecosystem.
The technical flaw manifests in insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the frameworks' core rendering components. When user-controlled data enters the application through various input fields, API responses, or dynamic content sources, the frameworks fail to properly sanitize or encode this data before incorporating it into HTML or JavaScript contexts. This inadequate encoding process allows attackers to inject malicious payloads that can execute within the victim's browser context, particularly when the framework renders content that includes user-provided values without proper security measures. The vulnerability specifically affects scenarios where the frameworks process and display user inputs directly within DOM elements, event handlers, or dynamic attributes without sufficient sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking, as it enables attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities within the targeted applications. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to steal user credentials, modify application data, redirect users to malicious sites, or even perform actions on behalf of authenticated users through session manipulation. The cross-site scripting nature means that successful exploitation could compromise multiple users simultaneously, particularly in enterprise environments where these frameworks are extensively used for business-critical applications. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in SAP environments where users may have elevated privileges and access to sensitive business data, potentially allowing for privilege escalation and lateral movement within the enterprise network.
Organizations utilizing SAPUI5 and OpenUI5 frameworks should immediately implement the vendor-provided patches and updates to address this vulnerability. The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to the patched versions specified in the CVE advisory, which include versions 1.38.39, 1.44.39, 1.52.25, 1.60.6, and 1.63.0. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive code reviews to identify any custom implementations that might be vulnerable due to improper input handling. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws, and represents a significant concern under ATT&CK framework category T1059.007 for Scripting, as it enables execution of malicious scripts within user browsers. Security teams should also implement additional defensive measures such as Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit script execution and monitor for anomalous user behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.