CVE-2025-42961 in NetWeaver Application Server for ABAP
Summary
by MITRE • 07/08/2025
Due to a missing authorization check in SAP NetWeaver Application server for ABAP, an authenticated user with high privileges could exploit the insufficient validation of user permissions to access sensitive database tables. By leveraging overly permissive access configurations, unauthorized reading of critical data is possible, resulting in a significant impact on the confidentiality of the information stored. However, the integrity and availability of the system remain unaffected.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/16/2025
This vulnerability resides within SAP NetWeaver Application Server for ABAP where a critical authorization flaw exists that allows authenticated users with elevated privileges to bypass intended security controls. The missing authorization check represents a fundamental breakdown in the principle of least privilege enforcement, enabling malicious actors who already possess valid credentials to escalate their access beyond what should be permitted. The vulnerability specifically targets the validation mechanisms that govern user permissions, creating a pathway for unauthorized data access through improperly configured access controls that should have prevented such actions.
The technical implementation of this flaw demonstrates a failure in the access control matrix that governs database table permissions within the ABAP environment. When users with high privileges attempt to access sensitive database tables, the system fails to properly validate whether these users should possess such access rights. This weakness aligns with CWE-284 which addresses improper access control mechanisms, specifically targeting insufficient authorization checks that allow unauthorized access to protected resources. The vulnerability exploits the underlying trust model where legitimate users with elevated permissions are granted access that extends beyond their intended scope, creating a dangerous overlap in privilege levels that should not exist.
Operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it fundamentally compromises the confidentiality aspect of the information security triad. An attacker who successfully exploits this weakness can gain unauthorized reading access to critical database tables containing sensitive business information, personal data, or proprietary system configurations. The implications are particularly severe in enterprise environments where SAP NetWeaver systems often contain mission-critical data that supports core business operations. This vulnerability could enable data exfiltration, competitive intelligence gathering, or serve as a stepping stone for further attacks within the network infrastructure. The attack vector requires only an authenticated user with high privileges, making it particularly dangerous as it leverages existing legitimate access rather than requiring additional credential compromise.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing comprehensive access control reviews and strengthening the authorization validation mechanisms within the SAP environment. Organizations must conduct thorough privilege assessments to identify and correct overly permissive access configurations that enable this vulnerability. The recommended approach includes implementing stricter validation of user permissions before granting access to sensitive database tables, ensuring that even users with high privileges cannot access data beyond their authorized scope. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which addresses valid accounts as a means of gaining access, emphasizing the need for proper privilege management and access control enforcement. Additionally, organizations should implement regular monitoring of database access patterns and establish automated alerts for unusual access attempts to sensitive data, creating a layered defense approach that reduces the risk of successful exploitation.