CVE-2019-0403 in Enable Now
Summary
by MITRE
SAP Enable Now, before version 1911, allows an attacker to input commands into the CSV files, which will be executed when opened, leading to CSV Command Injection.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/12/2019
SAP Enable Now is a cloud-based platform designed for creating and managing digital learning content, particularly focused on employee training and development programs. The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-0403 affects versions prior to 1911 and represents a critical command injection flaw within the CSV file processing functionality. This vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms when handling CSV data imports, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary commands on affected systems.
The technical flaw manifests when the application processes CSV files containing specially crafted command sequences that are not properly escaped or filtered. When these malformed CSV files are opened or processed by the application, the embedded commands are executed within the context of the application's privileges, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to system resources. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-94, which describes "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and specifically relates to command injection scenarios where user-supplied data is executed as system commands.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted. An attacker with access to upload CSV files could execute arbitrary commands on the target system, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This could result in data exfiltration, privilege escalation, or the installation of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where SAP Enable Now is used for employee training, as it could be exploited through social engineering tactics to convince employees to open malicious CSV files. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001, which covers "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" and other command execution methods, making this a significant concern for organizations relying on the platform.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to SAP Enable Now version 1911 or later, which includes proper input validation and sanitization measures for CSV file processing. Additional mitigations include implementing strict file upload controls, conducting regular security assessments of the application, and monitoring for suspicious file processing activities. Network segmentation and privileged access controls should be enforced to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation. Security teams should also implement automated scanning solutions to detect and prevent malicious CSV files from being processed within the environment. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in web applications and highlights how seemingly benign file processing functionality can become a significant security risk when proper sanitization measures are not implemented.