CVE-2019-0287 in Business Intelligence Platform
Summary
by MITRE
Under certain conditions SAP BusinessObjects Business Intelligence platform (Central Management Server), versions 4.2 and 4.3, allows an attacker to access information which would otherwise be restricted.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/19/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-0287 affects SAP BusinessObjects Business Intelligence platform components, specifically the Central Management Server within versions 4.2 and 4.3. This issue represents a significant security weakness that undermines the platform's access control mechanisms and could potentially expose sensitive business intelligence data to unauthorized parties. The vulnerability stems from improper access restrictions that allow attackers to bypass normal authentication and authorization controls, creating a pathway for information disclosure that violates fundamental security principles.
The technical flaw manifests as an insufficient authorization check within the Central Management Server component of the SAP BusinessObjects platform. When processing certain requests, the system fails to properly validate user permissions before granting access to restricted information resources. This authorization bypass occurs under specific conditions that involve crafted requests or particular operational scenarios within the platform's management interface. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through network-based attacks without requiring elevated privileges or specialized tools beyond standard network reconnaissance capabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially compromise the integrity and confidentiality of business intelligence data. Attackers could gain access to sensitive reports, dashboards, and analytical data that should only be available to authorized administrators or specific user groups. This exposure could lead to competitive disadvantage, regulatory compliance violations, and potential financial losses. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on SAP BusinessObjects for critical business intelligence operations, particularly those handling proprietary or confidential business data. The attack vector typically involves network-based exploitation where malicious actors can send specially crafted requests to the Central Management Server to access restricted resources.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest SAP security patches and updates specifically addressing this vulnerability. Network segmentation and access control measures should be enhanced to limit direct access to the Central Management Server from untrusted networks. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by restricting user permissions and implementing role-based access controls. Additionally, organizations should monitor their systems for unusual access patterns and implement comprehensive logging and alerting mechanisms to detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and could be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1078 (Valid Accounts) as attackers may leverage legitimate accounts to exploit the authorization bypass. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar access control weaknesses within the SAP ecosystem and other enterprise applications.