CVE-2022-41263 in Business Intelligence Platform
Summary
by MITRE • 12/13/2022
Due to a missing authentication check, SAP Business Objects Business Intelligence Platform (Web Intelligence) - versions 420, 430, allows an authenticated non-administrator attacker to modify the data source information for a document that is otherwise restricted. On successful exploitation, the attacker can modify information causing a limited impact on the integrity of the application.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/13/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-41263 represents a critical authorization flaw within SAP Business Objects Business Intelligence Platform, specifically affecting Web Intelligence components in versions 420 and 430. This issue stems from a missing authentication check that allows authenticated but non-administrator users to manipulate data source configurations for documents that should otherwise be restricted. The flaw operates at the authorization layer where proper access controls fail to validate whether a user possesses sufficient privileges to modify critical document metadata, creating an avenue for privilege escalation through data manipulation.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability manifests as an insufficient authorization check vulnerability classified under CWE-285, which specifically addresses improper authorization scenarios in software systems. The missing authentication check creates a condition where users can bypass normal access control mechanisms that should prevent modification of document data sources. The exploitation requires an attacker to already possess valid credentials, but does not require administrative privileges, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by insiders or compromised regular users. The technical implementation appears to lack proper validation of user permissions when processing data source modification requests, allowing unauthorized changes to propagate through the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data integrity concerns, as it enables attackers to potentially alter the underlying data sources that documents reference, leading to corrupted reporting information and potentially misleading business intelligence insights. This modification capability can result in data corruption, altered analytical outcomes, and compromised decision-making processes based on manipulated business intelligence reports. The limited impact on application integrity suggests that while the attacker can modify data source configurations, they cannot directly access or modify core application files or execute arbitrary code, though the indirect consequences through data manipulation can be severe for business operations.
Security professionals should approach this vulnerability through the lens of the ATT&CK framework, specifically focusing on privilege escalation and defense evasion techniques. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and T1566 which involves credential harvesting, as attackers may use legitimate credentials to exploit this flaw. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring of data source modification activities and establish strict access controls for document management operations. The mitigation strategy should include immediate patching of affected SAP versions, implementation of additional access controls for data source modifications, and enhanced auditing of user activities related to document configuration changes.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the importance of proper authorization design in enterprise business intelligence platforms where multiple user roles and access levels must be carefully enforced. This flaw demonstrates how seemingly minor authorization gaps can create significant security risks in complex enterprise systems. Organizations utilizing SAP Business Objects platforms should conduct thorough security assessments of their data source management processes and review user access rights to ensure that only authorized personnel can modify critical document configurations. The vulnerability also underscores the necessity of regular security updates and the importance of maintaining current patch management procedures to address such authorization flaws before they can be exploited in real-world scenarios.