CVE-2021-27637 in Enable Now
Summary
by MITRE • 06/09/2021
Under certain conditions SAP Enable Now (SAP Workforce Performance Builder - Manager), versions - 1.0, 10 allows an attacker to access information which would otherwise be restricted leading to information disclosure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-27637 affects SAP Enable Now, specifically the SAP Workforce Performance Builder - Manager component, impacting versions 1.0 and 10. This issue represents a significant information disclosure flaw that arises from inadequate access controls within the application's authorization mechanisms. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate user permissions when processing certain requests, allowing unauthorized access to restricted data. According to CWE-285, this falls under improper authorization conditions where the system does not adequately verify that users have the necessary privileges to access specific resources or functionality.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests when specific API endpoints or data access points do not properly enforce authentication checks or role-based access controls. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious requests that bypass normal authorization procedures, potentially gaining access to sensitive employee performance data, training records, or other confidential information that should be restricted to authorized personnel only. This type of vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality aspect of the CIA triad and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for credential access through web application firewall evasion.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-27637 extends beyond simple data exposure, as it can enable attackers to gather intelligence about workforce performance metrics, employee capabilities, and training progress that may be used for competitive advantage or further exploitation. Organizations using SAP Enable Now in workforce management contexts face particular risk since this platform typically handles sensitive personnel data that could be leveraged for social engineering attacks or insider threat scenarios. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical sophistication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be targeted by both skilled attackers and automated tools seeking to harvest sensitive information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate implementation of proper access control validation mechanisms within the SAP Enable Now application, ensuring that all data access requests undergo rigorous authentication and authorization checks. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to the affected system, deploy web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious requests, and conduct regular security assessments to identify potential authorization bypass opportunities. The patching process should involve updating to the latest available version of SAP Enable Now that includes proper authorization controls, while also implementing monitoring solutions to detect anomalous access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, security awareness training for administrators should emphasize the importance of maintaining proper access controls and regularly reviewing user permissions to prevent unauthorized data access.