CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2024-27899NVD status: Deferred

SAP NetWeaver AS Java User Management Engine: Weak Password Recovery Mechanism for Forgotten Password

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2024-27899 is a high-severity weak password recovery mechanism for forgotten password vulnerability in SAP NetWeaver AS Java User Management Engine from SAP, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, but only if a user takes part, for example by opening a link or file. Affected SAP NetWeaver AS Java User Management Engine versions: SERVERCORE 7.50; J2EE-APPS 7.50; UMEADMIN 7.50. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.4% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Check which version of SAP NetWeaver AS Java User Management Engine you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
  2. Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
  3. Because the attack needs a user to take part, warn users about unexpected links and files related to this product until it is patched.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
SAPSAP NetWeaver AS Java User Management EngineSERVERCORE 7.50; J2EE-APPS 7.50; UMEADMIN 7.50Not stated

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Attack vector
NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
Attack complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
NoneNo account or login is needed.
User interaction
RequiredA user must take an action such as opening a file or link.
Scope
ChangedThe attack can reach beyond the vulnerable component into other systems.
Confidentiality
HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
Integrity
LowLimited modification of data is possible.
Availability
LowPerformance or availability is reduced.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:L/A:L. Scored by CNA (sap.com).

Official description

Self-Registration and Modify your own profile in User Admin Application of NetWeaver AS Java does not enforce proper security requirements for the content of the newly defined security answer. This can be leveraged by an attacker to cause profound impact on confidentiality and low impact on both integrity and availability.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Weak Password Recovery Mechanism for Forgotten Password

The product contains a mechanism for users to recover or change their passwords without knowing the original password, but the mechanism is weak.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • Make sure that all input supplied by the user to the password recovery mechanism is thoroughly filtered and validated.
  • Do not use standard weak security questions and use several security questions.
  • Make sure that there is throttling on the number of incorrect answers to a security question. Disable the password recovery functionality after a certain (small) number of incorrect guesses.

More Weak Password Recovery Mechanism for Forgotten Password vulnerabilities (CWE-640)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Recent Weak Password Recovery Mechanism for Forgotten Password vulnerabilities

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