CVE-2020-6191 in Landscape Management
Summary
by MITRE
SAP Landscape Management, version 3.0, allows an attacker with admin privileges to execute malicious executables with root privileges in SAP Host Agent via SAP Landscape Management due to Missing Input Validation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/31/2024
SAP Landscape Management version 3.0 contains a critical security vulnerability that enables privilege escalation through inadequate input validation mechanisms. This vulnerability exists within the interaction between SAP Landscape Management and the SAP Host Agent, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code with elevated root privileges. The flaw specifically manifests when administrative users perform operations within the landscape management interface that subsequently propagate to the host agent, where insufficient validation allows crafted inputs to be interpreted as executable commands.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from missing input validation controls that should normally sanitize and verify all data inputs before processing. When administrators interact with the SAP Landscape Management console, certain parameters are passed through to the SAP Host Agent component without proper validation or sanitization. This lack of input validation creates an environment where malicious payloads can be injected and subsequently executed with the highest available privileges on the target system. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages existing administrative access to escalate privileges rather than requiring additional authentication mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with complete control over the SAP Host Agent environment and potentially the underlying operating system. An attacker with administrative privileges can execute malicious executables that operate with root-level permissions, enabling them to modify system configurations, install backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or establish persistent access to the affected infrastructure. This vulnerability essentially transforms legitimate administrative capabilities into a weapon for system compromise, making it particularly attractive to threat actors targeting SAP environments.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including restricting administrative access to the SAP Landscape Management interface, implementing network segmentation to limit exposure, and applying the latest SAP security patches. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation as a fundamental weakness in software design that leads to various security issues including privilege escalation. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including privilege escalation through service manipulation and execution of malicious code with elevated privileges. Security teams should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous execution patterns within the SAP Host Agent environment and establish strict access controls for administrative functions to prevent unauthorized exploitation.