CVE-2021-27612 in GUI
Summary
by MITRE • 05/11/2021
In specific situations SAP GUI for Windows, versions - 7.60, 7.70 forwards a user to specific malicious website which could contain malware or might lead to phishing attacks to steal credentials of the victim.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/15/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-27612 affects SAP GUI for Windows versions 7.60 and 7.70, representing a significant security risk that enables attackers to manipulate user navigation to malicious websites. This flaw operates through a sophisticated social engineering attack vector that leverages the trust relationship between legitimate SAP applications and end users. The vulnerability specifically targets the web browser integration component within SAP GUI for Windows, where the application fails to properly validate and sanitize URLs that are forwarded to external resources. This creates an environment where malicious actors can craft deceptive URLs that appear legitimate but redirect users to credential-stealing phishing sites or malware distribution portals.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the SAP GUI application's URL handling process. When users interact with certain SAP GUI components that initiate web navigation, the application does not properly verify the destination URLs against a trusted domain whitelist or implement robust sanitization techniques. This allows attackers to inject malicious URLs that bypass security checks, potentially leveraging the trusted context of the SAP GUI application to execute phishing attacks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because SAP GUI applications are commonly used in enterprise environments where users have elevated privileges and access to sensitive business systems.
From an operational perspective, the impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft to potentially enable broader compromise of enterprise networks. Attackers can exploit this weakness to establish initial access points through credential harvesting, which could then be used to escalate privileges within SAP systems or launch lateral movement attacks against other network resources. The attack surface is particularly wide given that SAP GUI applications are deployed across numerous enterprise environments where users may have access to critical business applications, databases, and sensitive data repositories. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and represents a classic example of how web navigation flaws can be exploited to deliver malicious payloads.
The threat landscape surrounding CVE-2021-27612 demonstrates how attackers leverage the trust relationship between enterprise applications and end users to bypass traditional security controls. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where SAP GUI applications are used by executives, financial personnel, or other high-value targets who may possess access to critical systems. The attack chain typically involves crafting malicious URLs that appear legitimate within the context of SAP GUI operations, then exploiting user trust to redirect them to phishing sites designed to harvest credentials or deploy malware. Organizations implementing SAP GUI for Windows in their environments face a heightened risk of targeted attacks, especially when these applications are used in conjunction with other enterprise systems that may not have robust security controls in place.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-27612 should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. Organizations must first apply the relevant SAP security patches and updates that address the URL validation flaws in the affected SAP GUI versions. Network-level controls such as web application firewalls and URL filtering systems should be implemented to monitor and block suspicious navigation patterns. Additionally, security awareness training for users who regularly interact with SAP GUI applications is crucial to help identify potential phishing attempts. The implementation of principle of least privilege access controls and multi-factor authentication for SAP systems can significantly reduce the impact if credential theft occurs. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation to limit lateral movement capabilities and establish monitoring protocols that can detect unusual navigation patterns within SAP environments. This vulnerability exemplifies the importance of maintaining up-to-date security controls and demonstrates how seemingly minor flaws in application design can create substantial security risks in enterprise environments.