CVE-2023-27499 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This article provides detailed information about CVE-2023-27499, a Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability found in SAP GUI for HTML.

Understanding CVE-2023-27499

The CVE-2023-27499 vulnerability affects SAP GUI for HTML, specifically versions KERNEL 7.22, 7.53, 7.54, 7.77, 7.81, 7.85, 7.89, 7.91, KRNL64UC, 7.22, 7.22EXT, KRNL64UC 7.22, and 7.22EXT. This vulnerability arises due to insufficient encoding of user-controlled inputs, allowing for a reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attack.

What is CVE-2023-27499?

The vulnerability in SAP GUI for HTML enables attackers to craft malicious URLs to lure victims into clicking. When successful, the attacker-supplied script executes in the victim user's browser, potentially modifying or extracting information from the victim's browser to be sent back to the attacker.

The Impact of CVE-2023-27499

The impact of this XSS vulnerability is rated as MEDIUM with a CVSSv3.1 base score of 6.1. While the attack complexity is low and no privileges are required, user interaction is necessary to exploit the vulnerability. The confidentiality and integrity impacts are both assessed as low, with no availability impact.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-27499

This section delves into the specific technical aspects of the CVE-2023-27499 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in SAP GUI for HTML arises from the improper neutralization of input during web page generation, falling under CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting').

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected versions of SAP GUI for HTML include KERNEL 7.22, 7.53, 7.54, 7.77, 7.81, 7.85, 7.89, 7.91, KRNL64UC 7.22, 7.22EXT, KRNL64UC 7.22, and KRNL64UC 7.22EXT.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by manipulating user-controlled inputs in URLs, leading to the execution of malicious scripts in victim browsers when interacted with.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-27499, consider the following security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Implement input validation mechanisms to sanitize user inputs and restrict potentially malicious actions.
Educate users on safe browsing practices and to be cautious when clicking on unknown URLs.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update SAP GUI for HTML to the latest secure versions to patch known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address XSS vulnerabilities proactively.

Patching and Updates

Refer to SAP's security advisories and patch releases to apply the necessary updates that address the XSS vulnerability in SAP GUI for HTML.