CVE-2022-41272 in NetWeaver Process Integration
Summary
by MITRE • 12/13/2022
An unauthenticated attacker over the network can attach to an open interface exposed through JNDI by the User Defined Search (UDS) of SAP NetWeaver Process Integration (PI) - version 7.50 and make use of an open naming and directory API to access services which can be used to perform unauthorized operations affecting users and data across the entire system. This allows the attacker to have full read access to user data, make limited modifications to user data, and degrade the performance of the system, leading to a high impact on confidentiality and a limited impact on the availability and integrity of the application.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/07/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-41272 represents a critical security flaw within SAP NetWeaver Process Integration's User Defined Search functionality, specifically impacting version 7.50. This issue stems from an insecure exposure of JNDI (Java Naming and Directory Interface) services that allows unauthenticated remote attackers to establish connections through open network interfaces. The vulnerability manifests when the UDS component fails to properly validate or restrict access to its directory services, creating an attack surface that can be exploited without requiring legitimate credentials or authentication. The flaw resides in the fundamental architecture of how SAP NetWeaver handles directory service access, making it particularly dangerous as it operates at the core of the system's user and data management capabilities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability leverages the inherent capabilities of JNDI to resolve naming and directory services, which can be manipulated by attackers to traverse the system's directory structure. When an attacker connects to the exposed JNDI interface, they can utilize the open naming and directory API to access services that should normally be restricted to authorized users only. This creates a pathway for attackers to perform unauthorized operations across the entire system, effectively bypassing traditional access controls and authentication mechanisms. The attack vector operates entirely over the network, requiring no local system access or insider knowledge of the system's internal structure, which significantly increases its exploitability and impact potential.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it enables attackers to achieve comprehensive read access to user data while also allowing for limited modifications to user information. This dual capability creates a severe threat to data confidentiality, as attackers can extract sensitive information from the system without detection, potentially including personal data, business information, and other confidential elements stored within the SAP environment. The limited modification capabilities, while not providing full system control, can still result in data integrity compromises that may go unnoticed for extended periods. Additionally, the vulnerability can be used to degrade system performance through resource exhaustion or other malicious activities, creating availability concerns that can disrupt business operations and potentially lead to service outages.
Organizations affected by CVE-2022-41272 should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to restrict access to the affected JNDI interfaces, disabling unnecessary services, and applying the appropriate SAP security patches. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege in system design. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving remote service access and directory service manipulation, potentially enabling further lateral movement within the network. Security teams should also consider implementing network monitoring to detect unusual JNDI traffic patterns and establish proper access controls around directory services. The incident highlights the critical importance of securing directory services and maintaining proper network boundaries, particularly in enterprise environments where SAP systems handle sensitive business data and user information across complex network infrastructures.