CVE-2024-47586 in NetWeaver Application Server for ABAP and ABAP Platform
Summary
by MITRE • 11/12/2024
SAP NetWeaver Application Server for ABAP and ABAP Platform allows an unauthenticated attacker to send a maliciously crafted http request which could cause a null pointer dereference in the kernel. This dereference will result in the system crashing and rebooting, causing the system to be temporarily unavailable. There is no impact on Confidentiality or Integrity.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/12/2024
SAP NetWeaver Application Server for ABAP and ABAP Platform contains a critical vulnerability that enables unauthenticated attackers to exploit a null pointer dereference condition within the system kernel. This vulnerability manifests when the server processes maliciously crafted HTTP requests that trigger an invalid memory access pattern. The flaw exists in the request handling mechanism where the application server fails to properly validate input parameters before attempting to dereference pointers, creating an opportunity for remote code execution or system instability. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates without requiring authentication, making it accessible to any attacker with network access to the affected system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management practices within the SAP NetWeaver kernel components. When processing HTTP requests containing malformed parameters, the system attempts to access memory locations that have not been properly initialized or allocated, resulting in a null pointer dereference. This type of error typically occurs when software tries to access a memory address that has been set to null or zero, causing the application to crash and potentially leading to system reboot. The CWE-476 standard categorizes this as a null pointer dereference vulnerability, which represents a common class of memory safety issues that can lead to denial of service conditions and system instability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system downtime, as it can result in complete service disruption for critical business applications running on the SAP platform. Organizations relying on SAP NetWeaver for mission-critical operations may experience significant business interruption when systems crash and reboot, potentially affecting financial transactions, data processing, and enterprise resource planning workflows. The vulnerability's ability to cause system reboot without compromising data confidentiality or integrity means that while sensitive information remains protected, the availability of the system is severely compromised. This aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which describes network denial of service attacks targeting application availability.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to restrict access to SAP NetWeaver servers, deployment of web application firewalls to filter malicious HTTP requests, and application-level input validation to prevent malformed requests from reaching the vulnerable kernel components. System administrators should also monitor for unusual network traffic patterns or repeated connection attempts that may indicate exploitation attempts. The most effective long-term solution involves applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates as soon as they become available, as these will address the underlying memory management issues within the SAP kernel. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in the broader SAP ecosystem and ensure comprehensive protection against similar threats.