CVE-2023-25614 in NetWeaver AS ABAP
Summary
by MITRE • 02/14/2023
SAP NetWeaver AS ABAP (BSP Framework) application - versions 700, 701, 702, 731, 740, 750, 751, 752, 753, 754, 755, 756, 757, allow an unauthenticated attacker to inject the code that can be executed by the application over the network. On successful exploitation it can gain access to the sensitive information which leads to a limited impact on the confidentiality and the integrity of the application.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/14/2023
SAP NetWeaver Application Server ABAP with BSP Framework contains a critical code injection vulnerability that affects multiple versions including 700 through 757. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the BSP framework's handling of network requests, creating an attack surface where unauthenticated remote adversaries can inject malicious code directly into the application execution environment. The flaw represents a classic server-side code injection vulnerability that aligns with CWE-94, which specifically addresses the execution of arbitrary code due to inadequate validation of untrusted data. The vulnerability exists in the application's request processing pipeline where user-supplied parameters are not properly sanitized before being processed by the BSP framework.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code within the context of the SAP NetWeaver application server, potentially enabling them to access sensitive data and manipulate application functionality. The attack vector operates entirely over the network without requiring authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone with network access to the vulnerable system. When successfully exploited, the vulnerability can lead to unauthorized access to confidential information, data integrity compromise, and potential lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The impact on confidentiality is limited to the scope of the application's data access permissions, but the integrity implications are significant as attackers can modify application behavior and potentially corrupt data processing workflows.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability represents a severe risk to SAP environments that have not yet applied the necessary security patches. Organizations running affected SAP NetWeaver versions must immediately assess their network exposure and implement appropriate mitigations while prioritizing patch deployment. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for application layer execution, and the lack of authentication requirements places it in the high-risk category for network-based attacks. Security teams should monitor for suspicious network traffic patterns and anomalous application behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also presents a risk for privilege escalation scenarios where attackers could leverage the code injection to gain deeper access to underlying database systems or other connected applications within the SAP ecosystem.
Organizations should implement network segmentation controls to limit access to SAP systems, deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts, and ensure that all SAP installations are updated with the latest security patches provided by SAP. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security configurations and the necessity of regular vulnerability assessments for enterprise application platforms. Immediate remediation actions should include applying SAP security notes and patches, implementing network access controls, and conducting comprehensive security audits of all SAP NetWeaver installations to identify and address similar vulnerabilities across the enterprise infrastructure.