CVE-2019-0303 in Business Intelligence Platform
Summary
by MITRE
SAP BusinessObjects Business Intelligence Platform (Administration Console), versions 4.2, 4.3, module BILogon/appService.jsp is reflecting requested parameter errMsg into response content without sanitation. This could be used by an attacker to build a special url that execute custom JavaScript code when the url is accessed.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/05/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-0303 affects SAP BusinessObjects Business Intelligence Platform versions 4.2 and 4.3, specifically within the Administration Console module. This issue resides in the BILogon/appService.jsp component where user-supplied input parameters are directly reflected into HTTP responses without proper sanitization or output encoding mechanisms. The vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw that allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code through crafted URL parameters.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate and sanitize user input before incorporating it into the web response. When the errMsg parameter is passed to the appService.jsp endpoint, the system directly includes this parameter value in the HTML response without any form of input filtering or output encoding. This creates an opportunity for attackers to construct malicious URLs containing JavaScript payloads that will execute in the context of authenticated users who access these specially crafted links.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including but not limited to session hijacking, credential theft, and unauthorized data access. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that successful exploitation requires user interaction, typically through social engineering tactics to convince victims to click on malicious links. However, the severity is elevated because the affected component is part of the Administration Console, which typically requires elevated privileges and provides access to critical system functions. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 - Cross-site Scripting and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1566 - Phishing, specifically targeting the initial access phase of an attack campaign.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires attackers to craft malicious URLs that include JavaScript code within the errMsg parameter, which when accessed by an authenticated user will execute in their browser context. The reflected nature means that the attack payload is delivered through the HTTP response itself rather than being stored on the server, making detection more challenging. Organizations using SAP BusinessObjects BI Platform versions 4.2 and 4.3 should immediately implement mitigation strategies including input validation, output encoding, and proper parameter sanitization. The recommended approach involves implementing strict input validation for all user-supplied parameters and applying appropriate output encoding before including any user data in web responses. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious URL patterns that may indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and output encoding practices in web applications, particularly in administrative interfaces where elevated privileges and sensitive data access are involved.