CVE-2020-6242

Missing Authentication for Critical Function in SAP Business Objects Business Intelligence Platform (Live Data Connect), versions 1

Verified by Precogs Threat Research
Last Updated: Nov 21, 2024
Base Score
9.8CRITICAL

Executive Summary

CVE-2020-6242 is a critical severity vulnerability affecting api-security. It is classified as CWE-306. Ensure your systems and dependencies are patched immediately to mitigate exposure risks.

Precogs AI Insight

"Precogs API Security Engine performs deep analysis of API endpoints using Code Property Graph traversal, detecting broken authentication, mass assignment, BOLA/IDOR, and SSRF vulnerabilities across REST, GraphQL, and gRPC interfaces before they reach production."

Exploit Probability (EPSS)
Low (0.2%)
Public POC
Available
Exploit Probability
High (84%)
Public POC
Available
Affected Assets
api securityCWE-306

What is this vulnerability?

CVE-2020-6242 is categorized as a critical Missing Authentication for Critical Function flaw with a CVSS base score of 9.8. Based on our vulnerability intelligence, this issue occurs when the application fails to securely handle untrusted data boundaries.

SAP Business Objects Business Intelligence Platform (Live Data Connect), versions 1.0, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, allows an attacker to logon on the Central Management Console without password in case of the BIPRWS application server was not protected with some specific certificate, leading to Missing Authentication Check.

This architectural defect enables adversaries to bypass intended security controls, directly manipulating the application's execution state or data layer. Immediate strategic intervention is required.

Risk Assessment

MetricValue
CVSS Base Score9.8 (CRITICAL)
Vector StringCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
PublishedMay 12, 2020
Last ModifiedNovember 21, 2024
Related CWEsCWE-306

Impact on Systems

Unauthorized Data Access: Attackers can bypass authorization controls to access other users' data or administrative endpoints.

Account Takeover: Broken authentication or authorization may enable full account compromise without valid credentials.

API Abuse: Exploiting this vulnerability enables mass data harvesting or destructive operations through unprotected API endpoints.

How to Fix and Mitigate CVE-2020-6242

  1. Apply Vendor Patches: Upgrade affected components to their latest, non-vulnerable versions immediately.
  2. Implement Input Validation: Ensure all user-supplied data is validated, sanitized, and type-checked before processing.
  3. Deploy Runtime Protection: Use Precogs continuous monitoring to detect exploitation attempts in real time.
  4. Audit Dependencies: Review and update all third-party libraries and transitive dependencies.

Defending with Precogs AI

Precogs API Security Engine performs deep analysis of API endpoints using Code Property Graph traversal, detecting broken authentication, mass assignment, BOLA/IDOR, and SSRF vulnerabilities across REST, GraphQL, and gRPC interfaces before they reach production.

Use Precogs to continuously scan your codebase, binaries, APIs, and infrastructure for this vulnerability class and related attack patterns. Our AI-powered detection engine combines static analysis with threat intelligence to identify exploitable weaknesses before attackers do.

Start scanning with Precogs →

Vulnerability Code Signature

Attack Data Flow

StageDetail
SourceAPI Endpoint (REST/GraphQL)
VectorMissing or flawed authorization checks on the requested resource
SinkDirect interaction with database or internal microservice
ImpactUnauthorized data access, BOLA/IDOR, Account Takeover

Vulnerable Code Pattern

// ❌ VULNERABLE: Missing Authorization (BOLA)
app.get('/api/users/:id/data', async (req, res) => {
  const userId = req.params.id;
  // Taint sink: fetches data for requested ID without verifying ownership
  const data = await db.getUserData(userId);
  res.json(data);
});

Secure Code Pattern

// ✅ SECURE: Strict Resource Authorization
app.get('/api/users/:id/data', requireAuth, async (req, res) => {
  const requestedId = req.params.id;
  const authenticatedId = req.user.id;
  
  // Sanitized validation: check ownership
  if (requestedId !== authenticatedId && !req.user.isAdmin) {
    return res.status(403).json({ error: "Unauthorized access" });
  }
  
  const data = await db.getUserData(requestedId);
  res.json(data);
});

How Precogs Detects This

Precogs API Security Engine comprehensively audits all exposed endpoints to guarantee strict session validation and resource authorization.

Related Vulnerabilitiesvia CWE-306

Is your system affected?

Precogs AI detects CVE-2020-6242 in compiled binaries, LLMs, and application layers — even without source code access.