CVE-2020-6241 in Adaptive Server Enterprise
Summary
by MITRE
SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise, version 16.0, allows an authenticated user to execute crafted database queries to elevate privileges of users in the system, leading to SQL Injection.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/16/2020
SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise version 16.0 contains a critical privilege escalation vulnerability that enables authenticated users to execute crafted database queries resulting in unauthorized privilege elevation. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-89 category of SQL Injection, representing a fundamental flaw in the database engine's query processing mechanism. The issue arises when the system fails to properly validate and sanitize user inputs before incorporating them into database operations, creating an exploitable entry point for malicious query construction.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the database query execution pipeline of SAP ASE 16.0. When authenticated users submit database queries containing maliciously crafted input parameters, the system processes these inputs without adequate sanitization measures. This allows attackers to manipulate the intended query execution flow and potentially escalate their privileges to administrative levels within the database environment. The vulnerability specifically targets the database engine's handling of user-supplied data during query processing, bypassing normal access controls and authorization mechanisms.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to organizations utilizing SAP ASE 16.0 as it enables authenticated attackers to gain elevated privileges without requiring additional credentials or complex exploitation techniques. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially allow full database system compromise, data exfiltration, and unauthorized modifications to critical business data. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to access sensitive customer information, financial records, or other confidential data stored within the SAP environment, while simultaneously maintaining persistent access through elevated privileges.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest SAP security patches and updates specifically addressing this vulnerability, as well as implementing robust input validation and sanitization measures within their database applications. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous database query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting database access control bypass methods. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities within the broader SAP ecosystem, while implementing principle of least privilege access controls to limit the potential impact of any successful exploitation attempts.