CVE-2021-27622 in Internet Graphics Service
Summary
by MITRE • 06/09/2021
SAP Internet Graphics Service, versions - 7.20,7.20EXT,7.53,7.20_EX2,7.81, allows an unauthenticated attacker after retrieving an existing system state value can submit a malicious IGS request over a network which due to insufficient input validation in method CDrawRaster::LoadImageFromMemory() which will trigger an internal memory corruption error in the system causing the system to crash and rendering it unavailable. In this attack, no data in the system can be viewed or modified.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2021
SAP Internet Graphics Service represents a critical component within SAP environments that handles graphics processing and rendering operations. The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-27622 affects multiple versions including 7.20, 7.20EXT, 7.53, 7.20_EX2, and 7.81, creating a widespread risk across various SAP deployments. This vulnerability manifests through a specific flaw in the CDrawRaster::LoadImageFromMemory() method which demonstrates inadequate input validation mechanisms. The attack vector requires an unauthenticated attacker who can first retrieve an existing system state value before submitting a malicious IGS request over the network, indicating a sophisticated exploitation approach that leverages existing system information to craft targeted attacks.
The technical flaw resides in the insufficient validation of input parameters within the CDrawRaster::LoadImageFromMemory() method, which directly leads to internal memory corruption errors. This memory corruption occurs during the processing of graphics data, specifically when the system attempts to load images from memory. The vulnerability operates as a denial of service condition where the system crash renders the SAP Internet Graphics Service unavailable to legitimate users, effectively disrupting business operations. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflow scenarios, indicating potential memory management issues within the graphics processing pipeline.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can significantly affect business continuity within SAP environments where graphics processing is integral to user interfaces and data visualization. Organizations utilizing affected SAP versions face the risk of unauthorized service interruption, potentially affecting multiple users simultaneously depending on the system architecture. The attack requires minimal privileges since it operates without authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by external threat actors without requiring valid credentials. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks, and represents a classic example of how graphics processing components can become attack surfaces for system disruption.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of affected SAP versions through official SAP security notes and updates, as this represents a critical vulnerability requiring urgent attention. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to SAP Internet Graphics Service components and consider disabling unnecessary graphics processing capabilities where possible. Monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in graphics request processing that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and network firewalls can help reduce the attack surface while maintaining operational functionality. The vulnerability underscores the importance of input validation in graphics processing libraries and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of all system components, particularly those handling external data inputs.