CVE-2020-6309 in NetWeaver AS JAVA
Summary
by MITRE
SAP NetWeaver AS JAVA, versions - (ENGINEAPI 7.10; WSRM 7.10, 7.11, 7.20, 7.30, 7.31, 7.40, 7.50; J2EE-FRMW 7.10, 7.11), does not perform any authentication checks for a web service allowing the attacker to send several payloads and leading to complete denial of service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/08/2020
SAP NetWeaver Application Server Java contains a critical authentication bypass vulnerability that affects multiple versions of its core components including ENGINEAPI 7.10 and various WSRM versions across 7.10 through 7.50. This vulnerability resides within the web service implementation where insufficient authentication controls allow unauthenticated attackers to exploit the service and execute malicious payloads. The flaw specifically impacts the J2EE-FRMW components in versions 7.10 and 7.11, creating a persistent security gap that can be leveraged for remote exploitation without requiring valid credentials or prior authorization. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and authentication mechanisms within the web service framework, enabling attackers to bypass standard security controls that should normally validate user identities and permissions before processing requests. This authentication bypass represents a fundamental failure in the security architecture that allows unauthorized access to critical system functions through the web service interface.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves sending specially crafted payloads to the affected web service endpoints, which can trigger system resource exhaustion and ultimately lead to complete denial of service conditions. Attackers can leverage this weakness to consume excessive system resources, disrupt service availability, and potentially cause system crashes or unresponsiveness. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as the vulnerability can be used to perform various malicious activities including data manipulation, unauthorized access to system resources, and potential escalation of privileges within the affected environment. The lack of proper authentication checks means that any attacker with network access to the vulnerable system can exploit this weakness, making it particularly dangerous in environments where the web service is exposed to untrusted networks or the internet. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege that should govern all system access controls.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-6309 can be severe for organizations relying on SAP NetWeaver AS JAVA systems, as it provides attackers with a straightforward path to disrupt critical business operations and potentially access sensitive data. Organizations may experience complete service outages that can affect multiple business processes, especially those dependent on the affected web services. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple versions indicates a systemic issue within the SAP NetWeaver framework that requires immediate attention and remediation. Security teams may face challenges in detecting exploitation attempts since the attacks can appear as legitimate traffic patterns, making monitoring and detection more difficult. The vulnerability can also be leveraged as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, as attackers might use the denial of service capability to create distractions while performing other malicious activities. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1499.004 which covers Network Denial of Service and T1566.001 which involves spearphishing with malicious attachments, as the exploitation can be initiated through network-based attacks.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant SAP security notes and patches, implementing network segmentation to restrict access to vulnerable web services, and configuring firewalls to limit exposure to untrusted networks. The implementation of additional authentication controls and monitoring mechanisms should be prioritized to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. System administrators should review and tighten access controls for web service endpoints, ensuring that only authorized users and systems can access the affected components. Network administrators should consider implementing intrusion detection systems and monitoring for unusual traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing comprehensive security monitoring strategies. Organizations should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify other potential authentication bypass opportunities within their SAP environments and related systems. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be performed to validate the effectiveness of implemented controls and identify any additional weaknesses that might be exploited by attackers.