CVE-2022-35290 in Authenticator
Summary
by MITRE • 08/11/2022
Under certain conditions SAP Authenticator for Android allows an attacker to access information which would otherwise be restricted.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/06/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-35290 resides within SAP Authenticator for Android, a mobile application designed to provide multi-factor authentication services for SAP systems. This security flaw represents a critical access control issue that undermines the fundamental security model of the application. The vulnerability manifests when specific conditions are met, allowing unauthorized parties to bypass normal authentication mechanisms and gain access to restricted information that should be protected from unauthorized disclosure. The flaw specifically impacts the application's ability to properly enforce access controls, creating a potential pathway for information disclosure that could compromise the integrity of SAP authentication infrastructure.
Technical analysis reveals this vulnerability stems from improper validation of access requests within the Android application's authentication framework. The flaw likely involves insufficient input sanitization or inadequate session management that permits malicious actors to manipulate authentication flows. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Issues, specifically involving inadequate access control mechanisms that allow unauthorized access to protected resources. The technical implementation appears to lack proper authorization checks during critical operations, enabling attackers to exploit the application's trust model and access information that should remain restricted to authorized users only. This represents a classic case of privilege escalation where the application fails to properly validate user permissions before granting access to sensitive data.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-35290 extends beyond simple information disclosure, potentially enabling attackers to compromise entire SAP authentication ecosystems. Organizations relying on SAP Authenticator for Android may face significant risks including unauthorized access to sensitive corporate data, potential credential theft, and disruption of business continuity. The vulnerability's exploitation could lead to lateral movement within SAP environments, allowing attackers to escalate privileges and access additional systems that depend on the compromised authentication infrastructure. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and credential access, potentially enabling adversaries to maintain persistent access to SAP systems. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that SAP Authenticator applications often serve as primary gateways for enterprise authentication, making successful exploitation potentially devastating for organizational security posture.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-35290 should prioritize immediate patching of affected SAP Authenticator versions, as provided by SAP security updates. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to SAP systems and monitor for unusual authentication patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should conduct thorough access control reviews and ensure proper implementation of least privilege principles for authentication services. Additional defensive measures include implementing multi-factor authentication controls beyond the vulnerable application, regular security assessments of mobile authentication solutions, and enhanced monitoring of SAP system access logs. The vulnerability underscores the importance of comprehensive mobile security testing and continuous vulnerability assessment programs, particularly for applications handling sensitive authentication data. Organizations should also consider implementing additional layers of security such as application whitelisting, device compliance monitoring, and regular penetration testing to identify similar access control weaknesses in their SAP environments.