CVE-2023-23856 in BusinessObjects Business Intelligence
Summary
by MITRE • 02/14/2023
In SAP BusinessObjects Business Intelligence (Web Intelligence user interface) - version 430, some calls return json with wrong content type in the header of the response. As a result, a custom application that calls directly the jsp of Web Intelligence DHTML may be vulnerable to XSS attacks. On successful exploitation an attacker can cause a low impact on integrity of the application.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/12/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-23856 affects SAP BusinessObjects Business Intelligence Web Intelligence user interface version 430, specifically exposing a security flaw in the handling of HTTP response headers. This issue manifests when certain API calls return JSON data but with incorrect content type headers in the HTTP response. The improper header configuration creates a vector for cross-site scripting attacks that can be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly set the Content-Type header to application/json for JSON responses, which allows browsers to misinterpret the response content and execute malicious scripts.
The technical flaw represents a classic content type confusion vulnerability that falls under CWE-116, which addresses the improper encoding or handling of structured data. When the Web Intelligence DHTML JSP components receive requests, they generate responses that should properly identify their content type as JSON but instead return responses with incorrect headers that can be interpreted by browsers as executable scripts. This misconfiguration enables attackers to craft malicious payloads that exploit the browser's interpretation of the response content, particularly when custom applications interact directly with the Web Intelligence JSP endpoints. The vulnerability specifically impacts the Web Intelligence user interface components that handle dynamic content rendering through DHTML technology.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is classified as low but significant for integrity compromise within the application environment. While the attack surface may be limited to specific custom applications that directly call the affected JSP components, successful exploitation allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that can modify application behavior or data. The low impact on integrity means that attackers cannot directly execute arbitrary code or gain unauthorized access to system resources, but they can manipulate the user interface elements and potentially redirect users to malicious sites. The vulnerability affects the application's ability to maintain data integrity and can lead to unauthorized modifications of user sessions or content presentation. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through spearphishing attachments and T1547.009 for persistence through application execution.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper header validation and content type enforcement within the application layer. Organizations should ensure that all JSON responses from the Web Intelligence components include the correct Content-Type: application/json header to prevent browser misinterpretation. The recommended approach involves implementing a security middleware layer that validates and corrects response headers before they are sent to clients. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output encoding for all user-supplied data can help prevent XSS exploitation even when header issues persist. SAP should be consulted for official patches and updates that address this specific vulnerability. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional protection layers, while monitoring for unusual request patterns or response headers can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar header configuration issues in other application components. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper HTTP response handling and adherence to security best practices in web application development.