CVE-2025-42999: SAP NetWeaver Privilege Escalation Flaw

CVE-2025-42999 is a privilege escalation vulnerability in SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer Metadata Uploader that allows privileged users to upload malicious content, compromising system security. This article covers technical details, impact analysis, affected versions, and recommended mitigation strategies.

CVE-2025-42999 Overview

SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer Metadata Uploader is vulnerable when a privileged user can upload untrusted or malicious content which, when deserialized, could potentially lead to a compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the host system.

Critical Impact
This vulnerability allows for the compromise of the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected systems.

Affected Products

SAP NetWeaver 7.5

Discovery Timeline

Not Available - Vulnerability discovered by Not Available
Not Available - Responsible disclosure to SAP
Not Available - CVE CVE-2025-42999 assigned
Not Available - SAP releases security patch
2025-05-13 - CVE CVE-2025-42999 published to NVD
2025-10-31 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-42999

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability arises from the SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer Metadata Uploader, which does not adequately validate or sanitize user-uploaded content. As a result, a privileged user can upload malicious serialized content that, when executed, can compromise system integrity.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability is insecure deserialization (CWE-502). Untrusted data is accepted and processed without validation, leading to arbitrary code execution.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is over the network, where an authenticated attacker with privileged access can exploit this vulnerability remotely.

java

// Example exploitation code (sanitized)
ObjectInputStream ois = new ObjectInputStream(
    new FileInputStream("/tmp/malicious.ser")
);
Object obj = ois.readObject();
// Potentially malicious operations

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-42999

Indicators of Compromise

Unusual network traffic to/from SAP NetWeaver hosts
Unexplained new processes or user accounts
Logs showing unauthorized user activity

Detection Strategies

Implement runtime application self-protection (RASP) and employ meticulous logging and monitoring for deserialization-related activities. Utilize network monitoring solutions to detect unusual communication patterns involving SAP NetWeaver servers.

Monitoring Recommendations

Configure SIEM systems to alert on anomalous file uploads and changes in key folders within SAP environments. Regularly monitor logs for indicators of deserialization attacks.

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-42999

Immediate Actions Required

Verify and restrict privileged user accounts
Conduct a comprehensive security audit on SAP NetWeaver installations
Implement strict input validation and sanitization routines

Patch Information

SAP has released patches to address this vulnerability. Users are advised to apply the latest security updates from the SAP Security Patch Day.

Workarounds

Disable the affected Visual Composer functionality if possible, until patches can be applied. Tighten permissions and limit network access to the vulnerable components.

bash

# Configuration example
chmod -R 750 /path/to/netweaver/
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 50000 -j DROP