CVE-2023-26459 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This CVE-2023-26459 article provides detailed insights into a Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) vulnerability identified in SAP NetWeaver AS for ABAP and ABAP Platform.

Understanding CVE-2023-26459

This section delves into understanding the nature of the CVE-2023-26459 vulnerability and its impact.

What is CVE-2023-26459?

CVE-2023-26459 refers to a Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) vulnerability found in SAP NetWeaver AS for ABAP and ABAP Platform versions 700, 701, 702, 731, 740, 750, 751, 752, 753, 754, 755, 756, 757, and 791. This vulnerability allows an attacker authenticated as a non-administrative user to craft a request triggering the application server to send a request to an arbitrary URL. Consequently, this can expose, modify, or restrict access to non-sensitive information, resulting in low impacts on Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability.

The Impact of CVE-2023-26459

The CVSS v3.1 base score for CVE-2023-26459 is 7.4, categorizing it as a high-severity vulnerability. The attack complexity is classified as low, with an attack vector through the network. This vulnerability can lead to low impacts on Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability, with changed scope and low privileges required for exploitation.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-26459

This section provides a detailed overview of the technical aspects of the CVE-2023-26459 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises due to improper input controls in SAP NetWeaver AS for ABAP and ABAP Platform, allowing an authenticated attacker to manipulate requests that can lead to interactions with arbitrary URLs, potentially compromising non-sensitive information.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts multiple versions of SAP NetWeaver AS for ABAP and ABAP Platform, including versions 700, 701, 702, 731, 740, 750, 751, 752, 753, 754, 755, 756, 757, and 791.

Exploitation Mechanism

An attacker authenticated as a non-administrative user can exploit this vulnerability by crafting a specific request that coerces the application server to communicate with a designated URL, enabling unauthorized access to manipulate non-sensitive data.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section discusses the necessary steps to mitigate and prevent exploitation of CVE-2023-26459.

Immediate Steps to Take

Organizations should ensure that all affected systems running SAP NetWeaver AS for ABAP and ABAP Platform are promptly updated with the latest security patches provided by SAP.
Implement stringent access controls and authentication mechanisms, limiting non-administrative user privileges to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive functionalities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit network traffic to identify any suspicious activities related to SSRF vulnerabilities.
Conduct comprehensive security training for users and administrators to enhance awareness of potential security risks and best practices for secure system configurations.

Patching and Updates

It is imperative to apply the security patches released by SAP to address the SSRF vulnerability in SAP NetWeaver AS for ABAP and ABAP Platform. Stay informed about security advisories and updates from SAP to ensure timely patching of vulnerable systems.