CVE-2020-6245 in Business Intelligence Platform
Summary
by MITRE
SAP Business Objects Business Intelligence Platform, version 4.2, allows an attacker with access to local instance, to inject file or code that can be executed by the application due to Improper Control of Resource Identifiers.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/16/2020
SAP Business Objects Business Intelligence Platform version 4.2 contains a critical vulnerability classified as CVE-2020-6245 that stems from improper control of resource identifiers within the application's file handling mechanisms. This vulnerability specifically affects systems where an attacker has gained local access to the instance, creating a significant security risk that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code. The flaw resides in how the platform manages resource identifiers during file operations, allowing malicious actors to manipulate file paths and inject code that will be executed with the privileges of the application. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-73, which describes improper control of resource identifiers, and represents a direct threat to system integrity and data confidentiality.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to have local access to the SAP Business Objects instance, which significantly reduces the attack surface compared to remote exploits. However, the impact remains severe as local access typically provides a foothold for further lateral movement within the network. Attackers can leverage this weakness to inject malicious files or code that will be processed by the application, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The resource identifier control failure allows attackers to manipulate file paths in a way that bypasses normal validation mechanisms, enabling code execution through legitimate application processes. This vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where SAP Business Objects platforms often handle sensitive business intelligence data and may run with elevated privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-6245 extends beyond immediate code execution capabilities to encompass potential data breaches, system compromise, and disruption of business operations. Organizations utilizing SAP Business Objects 4.2 may experience unauthorized access to critical business intelligence systems, leading to exposure of sensitive corporate data and intellectual property. The vulnerability can enable attackers to establish persistent access points within the environment, facilitating long-term surveillance and data exfiltration activities. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and persistence mechanisms, as the attacker can leverage the compromised application to maintain access and expand their control over the affected systems. The exploitation can also lead to denial of service conditions if the injected code causes application instability or crashes.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches provided by SAP, which address the resource identifier control issues within the platform. System administrators should also implement strict access controls and privilege management to limit local access to SAP Business Objects instances, reducing the likelihood of exploitation. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous file operations or code injection attempts within the platform. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of SAP Business Objects 4.2 across their environment and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting and mandatory access controls can help prevent unauthorized code execution even if the vulnerability is exploited. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to verify that the implemented mitigations effectively address the vulnerability and do not introduce new security risks.