CVE-2019-0325 in ERP HCM
Summary
by MITRE
SAP ERP HCM (SAP_HRCES) , version 3, does not perform necessary authorization checks for a report that reads payroll data of employees in a certain area. Due to this under certain conditions, the user that once had authorization to payroll data of an employee, which was later revoked, may retain access to the same data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/24/2023
SAP ERP HCM version 3 contains a critical authorization flaw that compromises the integrity of payroll data access controls. This vulnerability resides within the SAP_HRCES component where a specific report fails to properly validate user permissions when accessing employee payroll information. The flaw manifests when authorization rights are revoked from users who previously had access to payroll data, yet the system continues to permit those users to retrieve the same information despite their revoked privileges. This represents a fundamental breakdown in the principle of least privilege and role-based access control mechanisms that are essential for protecting sensitive financial information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate session management and authorization validation processes within the payroll reporting functionality. When users lose their payroll access rights through administrative changes or role modifications, the system does not effectively invalidate their cached access permissions or properly revalidate their credentials before allowing data retrieval. This allows malicious or compromised users to potentially exploit the gap in authorization checks and access payroll information that should no longer be available to them. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be classified under CWE-284 Access Control Issues, specifically related to insufficient authorization checks and improper privilege management.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized data access, creating significant risks for organizations managing sensitive employee compensation information. Attackers who gain access to payroll data can potentially exploit this information for identity theft, financial fraud, or insider trading activities. The vulnerability also compromises audit trails and compliance requirements, as it creates false positives in access logging where users appear to have legitimate access to data they no longer should possess. Organizations may face regulatory penalties under data protection laws such as gdpr, soc 2, and pci dss if payroll data is accessed by unauthorized individuals due to this flaw.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper authorization validation mechanisms and enhanced session management protocols. SAP recommends applying the relevant security patches and hotfixes released for this specific vulnerability, which typically include strengthening the authorization checks within the affected report module. Organizations should also implement regular access reviews and automated privilege auditing to identify and remediate unauthorized access scenarios. The remediation process should include configuring proper access control lists and ensuring that authorization changes are immediately enforced across all system components. From an att&ck framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques where adversaries maintain access to sensitive data through compromised or improperly revoked permissions, making it particularly concerning for organizations with strict compliance requirements and high-value payroll data assets.