CVE-2020-6299 in NetWeaver
Summary
by MITRE
SAP NetWeaver (ABAP Server) and ABAP Platform, versions - 740, 750, 751, 752, 753, 754, 755, allows a business user to access the list of users in the given system using value help, leading to Information Disclosure.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/08/2020
SAP NetWeaver ABAP Server and ABAP Platform versions 740 through 755 contain a critical information disclosure vulnerability that allows business users to access user lists within the system through value help functionality. This vulnerability resides in the authorization and access control mechanisms of the ABAP platform, where proper user privilege restrictions are not enforced when accessing user-related data through value help features. The flaw specifically affects the ABAP system's ability to maintain proper access boundaries between different user roles and privileges, creating an unintended pathway for unauthorized information gathering.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient authorization checks within the value help framework of the ABAP platform. When business users attempt to access user lists through value help functions, the system fails to properly validate whether the requesting user has adequate authorization to view such sensitive information. This represents a classic authorization bypass vulnerability that falls under CWE-285, which deals with insufficient authorization checks. The vulnerability exists because the value help functionality does not properly integrate with the system's authorization framework, allowing users with lower privileges to retrieve user information that should be restricted to administrative roles.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables attackers to gather comprehensive information about system users, including user IDs, roles, and potentially access patterns. This information disclosure can serve as a crucial stepping stone for attackers planning more sophisticated attacks, as it provides them with a map of legitimate user accounts and their associated privileges. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality aspect of the CIA triad, as it allows unauthorized access to user information that should remain protected. Attackers could leverage this information to identify high-privilege accounts, understand system user hierarchy, or plan targeted attacks against specific user accounts. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1087.001, which involves account discovery through enumeration of user accounts.
Organizations running affected SAP NetWeaver versions should immediately implement mitigations to address this vulnerability. The primary recommendation involves strengthening authorization checks within the value help framework and ensuring that proper role-based access controls are enforced. SAP has released patches and updates to address this vulnerability, and organizations should apply these patches as soon as possible. Additionally, administrators should review and tighten user access permissions, particularly for business users who do not require access to user management functions. Network segmentation and monitoring of value help usage patterns can also help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper privilege management and access control enforcement in enterprise systems, particularly those handling sensitive user information. Organizations should also implement regular security assessments to identify similar authorization gaps in their SAP environments and ensure compliance with security best practices outlined in standards such as ISO 27001 and NIST cybersecurity frameworks.