CVE-2024-45280 in NetWeaver AS Java
Summary
by MITRE • 09/10/2024
Due to insufficient encoding of user-controlled inputs, SAP NetWeaver AS Java allows malicious scripts to be executed in the login application. This has a limited impact on confidentiality and integrity of the application. There is no impact on availability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/10/2025
This vulnerability resides within SAP NetWeaver Application Server Java platform where inadequate input validation and encoding mechanisms create a pathway for cross-site scripting attacks. The flaw specifically manifests in the login application component where user-supplied data fails to undergo proper sanitization before being processed or rendered back to the user interface. Attackers can exploit this weakness by injecting malicious scripts through login form fields or URL parameters, potentially compromising user sessions and executing unauthorized commands within the context of the victim's browser. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which represents one of the most prevalent web application security flaws identified by the CWE organization.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic input sanitization failure where the application does not properly encode or escape user-controllable data before incorporating it into dynamic web content. This allows malicious payloads to be interpreted by web browsers as executable code rather than mere text input. The login application serves as the attack surface where credentials and other user inputs are processed, making it a prime target for session hijacking attempts and credential theft operations. The limited impact on confidentiality and integrity suggests that while attackers can execute scripts and potentially access session tokens, they cannot directly modify core application data or compromise sensitive information stored in backend systems. However, the ability to execute arbitrary scripts within user contexts can lead to privilege escalation and further exploitation of the application environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it creates opportunities for attackers to establish persistent access patterns within the application ecosystem. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to capture authentication tokens, monitor user activities, or redirect users to malicious sites. The lack of availability impact indicates that this vulnerability does not directly enable denial-of-service conditions, but the potential for session manipulation and unauthorized access could indirectly affect system availability through compromised user accounts. This weakness aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 for Account Access Removal and T1566 for Phishing, as attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to legitimate user accounts through credential theft or session hijacking. Organizations utilizing SAP NetWeaver AS Java platforms must consider this vulnerability as part of their broader application security posture, particularly in environments where sensitive data processing occurs.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application stack, with particular emphasis on the login application components. Organizations should deploy proper HTML escaping and context-aware encoding for all user-supplied inputs before rendering them in web pages. The recommended approach includes implementing Content Security Policy headers, utilizing secure coding practices that follow OWASP Top Ten guidelines, and establishing comprehensive input sanitization routines. SAP has released patches addressing this vulnerability, and organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of these updates while conducting thorough testing to ensure compatibility with existing application configurations. Additional defensive measures include monitoring for suspicious login patterns, implementing multi-factor authentication, and establishing network segmentation to limit the potential lateral movement of attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar encoding flaws across the entire SAP landscape and prevent similar issues from emerging in other components of the application infrastructure.