CVE-2019-0377 in Business Intelligence Platform
Summary
by MITRE
SAP BusinessObjects Business Intelligence Platform (Web Intelligence HTML interface), before versions 4.2, does not sufficiently encode user-controlled inputs and allows an attacker to store malicious scripts in the input controls, resulting in Stored Cross-Site Scripting.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/28/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-0377 affects SAP BusinessObjects Business Intelligence Platform specifically within the Web Intelligence HTML interface prior to version 4.2. This represents a critical security flaw that undermines the platform's input validation mechanisms and exposes organizations to significant risks through stored cross-site scripting attacks. The vulnerability stems from insufficient encoding of user-controlled inputs, creating an environment where malicious actors can inject and persist harmful scripts within the application's input controls.
This security weakness operates through a classic stored XSS attack vector where an attacker crafts malicious script code and submits it through the vulnerable input controls. The platform fails to properly sanitize or encode user-supplied data before storing it within the system, allowing the malicious code to be permanently stored and subsequently executed when other users access the affected input controls. The vulnerability specifically targets the Web Intelligence HTML interface, which serves as a primary user interaction point for business intelligence reporting and data visualization within SAP's enterprise environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-0377 extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive business intelligence data, user credentials, and system resources. When successful, this vulnerability can enable attackers to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, deface web interfaces, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious scripts persist indefinitely until manually removed, creating a long-term security risk for organizations that fail to apply patches promptly.
Organizations utilizing affected SAP BusinessObjects platforms face significant exposure to targeted attacks that can compromise business intelligence workflows and sensitive data repositories. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a clear violation of secure coding practices that require proper input sanitization and output encoding. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving code injection and credential access, potentially enabling adversaries to escalate privileges and maintain persistent access to enterprise intelligence systems.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate deployment of SAP security patches and updates for the BusinessObjects Business Intelligence Platform, specifically targeting version 4.2 and later releases that contain the necessary input validation improvements. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures including web application firewalls, enhanced input validation at multiple layers, and regular security assessments of business intelligence interfaces. Network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, while user education regarding suspicious input handling and monitoring for unusual script behavior should be implemented as part of comprehensive security posture improvements.