CVE-2020-6296 in NetWeaver
Summary
by MITRE
SAP NetWeaver (ABAP Server) and ABAP Platform, versions - 700, 701, 702, 710, 711, 730, 731, 740, 750, 751, 753, 755, allows an attacker to inject code that can be executed by the application, leading to Code Injection. An attacker could thereby control the behavior of the application.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/08/2020
SAP NetWeaver ABAP Server and ABAP Platform versions 700 through 755 contain a critical code injection vulnerability that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code within the application environment. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the ABAP runtime environment, specifically affecting the handling of user-supplied data in application logic. The flaw exists in the core ABAP processing engine where untrusted input is directly incorporated into executable code paths without proper sanitization or escaping mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of ABAP statements and dynamic code execution functions within the SAP NetWeaver environment. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious input that gets processed through ABAP's dynamic SQL execution or system call functions, allowing them to inject and execute arbitrary ABAP code or operating system commands. This represents a fundamental breakdown in the principle of least privilege and input validation, where the system fails to properly distinguish between legitimate application data and potentially malicious code fragments. The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-94, which describes "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data compromise, as successful exploitation can result in complete system takeover and persistent backdoor access. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can manipulate application behavior, access sensitive data, modify business logic, and potentially escalate privileges to system-level access. The affected versions span multiple major releases of SAP NetWeaver, indicating a widespread exposure across enterprise environments that rely on ABAP-based applications. This vulnerability enables attackers to bypass traditional security controls and can be leveraged for data exfiltration, system reconnaissance, and long-term persistence within the enterprise network.
Organizations should immediately implement comprehensive mitigation strategies including applying the latest SAP security patches and hotfixes released for the affected versions, implementing network segmentation to limit access to SAP systems, and deploying application firewalls to monitor and filter ABAP code execution patterns. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough code reviews of ABAP applications to identify and remediate any custom code that may be vulnerable to similar injection patterns, while establishing robust input validation controls at all application interfaces. The remediation process should also include monitoring for suspicious system activities and implementing automated vulnerability scanning to detect potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regular security assessments to prevent unauthorized access to SAP systems and their underlying data repositories.