CVE-2023-37490
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows authenticated attackers within the network to replace temporary executable files during SAP Business Objects installation with malicious files. This can lead to complete system compromise affecting confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Only SAP Business Objects Installer versions 420 and 430 are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- SAP Business Objects Installer
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise allowing attacker to execute arbitrary code with installation privileges, potentially leading to full domain takeover, data exfiltration, and persistent backdoor installation.
Likely Case
Privilege escalation leading to unauthorized access to sensitive business data, installation of malware, or disruption of business operations.
If Mitigated
Limited impact due to network segmentation and strict access controls preventing authenticated attackers from reaching installation directories.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires timing attack during installation process and authenticated network access.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Apply SAP Security Note 3317710
Vendor Advisory: https://me.sap.com/notes/3317710
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download SAP Security Note 3317710 from SAP Support Portal. 2. Apply the patch to affected SAP Business Objects Installer installations. 3. Restart affected systems. 4. Verify installation using version check.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict temporary directory permissions
allSet strict permissions on temporary directories used during installation to prevent unauthorized file writes.
Windows: icacls "C:\Temp\SAP_Install" /inheritance:r /grant:r "SYSTEM:(OI)(CI)F" "Administrators:(OI)(CI)F"
Linux: chmod 700 /tmp/sap_install && chown root:root /tmp/sap_install
Network segmentation
allIsolate installation environments from general user networks to limit attack surface.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls limiting who can perform installations and access installation directories.
- Monitor temporary directory file creation and modification during installation processes for suspicious activity.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check SAP Business Objects Installer version - if version 420 or 430, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
Windows: Check SAP Business Objects program properties or installation logs. Linux: Check installation directory version files or use rpm -qa | grep -i sap-business-objectsVerify Fix Applied:
Verify SAP Security Note 3317710 is applied and version is updated beyond vulnerable versions.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected file modifications in temporary directories during installation
- Multiple failed installation attempts
- Unauthorized user accessing installation directories
Network Indicators:
- Unusual network traffic from installation servers during non-maintenance windows
- Connections to suspicious external IPs from installation systems
SIEM Query:
EventID=4663 OR EventID=4656 AND ObjectName contains 'temp' AND ProcessName contains 'sap' OR 'businessobjects'