CVE-2026-44747: SAP NetWeaver ABAP Privilege Escalation

CVE-2026-44747 Overview

CVE-2026-44747 is a memory corruption vulnerability in SAP NetWeaver Application Server ABAP. An authenticated attacker can exploit logical errors in memory management to trigger an out-of-bounds write condition [CWE-787]. Successful exploitation leads to unauthorized data access, data modification, or complete system unavailability.

The flaw carries a scope change, meaning exploitation impacts components beyond the vulnerable module. SAP addressed the issue through Security Note #3747367, released as part of SAP Security Patch Day. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the ABAP application server.

Critical Impact
An authenticated attacker with low privileges can corrupt memory over the network without user interaction, leading to remote code execution paths, data tampering, or denial of service against SAP business-critical workloads.

Affected Products

SAP NetWeaver Application Server ABAP
SAP business applications running on the affected NetWeaver ABAP stack
Refer to SAP Security Note #3747367 for the specific supported package versions

Discovery Timeline

2026-07-14 - CVE-2026-44747 published to the National Vulnerability Database
2026-07-15 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-44747

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in the memory management logic of SAP NetWeaver Application Server ABAP. Logical errors during allocation, bounds checking, or lifecycle handling of memory buffers permit an out-of-bounds write [CWE-787]. An attacker with valid application credentials can send crafted input that reaches the vulnerable code path.

Once triggered, the corruption overwrites adjacent memory regions used by the ABAP runtime. Depending on the memory layout, this leads to control-flow hijacking, data structure tampering, or crash conditions that halt the application server.

The scope change indicates the impact extends beyond the vulnerable component. Exploitation can influence other tenants, sessions, or backend systems that share the compromised ABAP process context.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper validation of memory boundaries within ABAP kernel routines. Logical flaws in size calculations or object lifetime tracking allow write operations to exceed allocated buffer limits. This class of defect maps to CWE-787: Out-of-bounds Write.

Attack Vector

The attack is network-based and requires an authenticated session with low privileges. No user interaction is necessary. An attacker submits crafted requests to an exposed SAP NetWeaver ABAP service, triggering the memory corruption path in server-side handlers.

Because SAP NetWeaver typically sits at the core of enterprise business processes, exploitation can pivot into financial, HR, or supply-chain modules. The vulnerability does not require administrative rights, which broadens the pool of potential internal and external attackers with stolen credentials.

No public proof-of-concept exploit is currently available. See the SAP Security Note #3747367 for authoritative technical details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-44747

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected ABAP work process crashes or DUMP entries in transaction ST22 referencing memory access violations
Anomalous authentication events followed by high-volume or malformed RFC, HTTP, or DIAG requests to the ABAP stack
Unplanned restarts of the SAP dispatcher or disp+work processes correlated with specific user sessions

Detection Strategies

Monitor SAP Security Audit Log (SM19/RSAU_CONFIG) for repeated failed transactions from low-privilege accounts targeting kernel-level function modules
Inspect ICM and gateway logs for malformed payloads sent to ABAP endpoints, especially those preceding process termination
Correlate SAP application logs with endpoint telemetry to identify lateral movement or credential misuse leading up to exploitation attempts

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable full SAP Security Audit Log coverage for all users, not only high-privilege accounts
Forward SAP kernel logs, dev_w* traces, and system logs to a centralized SIEM for correlation with identity and network events
Alert on abnormal spikes in ABAP short dumps, RFC call failures, or memory allocation errors

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-44747

Immediate Actions Required

Apply the patches referenced in SAP Security Note #3747367 without delay
Inventory all SAP NetWeaver ABAP systems, including non-production tiers, and prioritize internet-exposed instances
Rotate credentials for any accounts suspected of misuse and enforce multi-factor authentication for SAP logon

Patch Information

SAP released the fix during SAP Security Patch Day. Administrators should download and apply the correction instructions from SAP Security Note #3747367 and review the SAP Security Patch Day portal for kernel and Support Package prerequisites. Validate the patch in a non-production system before rolling out to production landscapes.

Workarounds

Restrict network access to SAP NetWeaver ABAP services using firewall rules and SAProuter access control lists
Enforce the principle of least privilege on ABAP user roles to reduce the pool of accounts capable of reaching vulnerable code paths
Disable unused RFC-enabled function modules and monitor gateway ACLs (reginfo, secinfo) until patching is complete

bash

# Example gateway ACL hardening for SAP NetWeaver
# secinfo file - restrict external program registration
#VERSION=2
USER=* USER-HOST=internal HOST=internal TP=*
USER=* USER-HOST=* HOST=* TP=* DENY

# reginfo file - restrict RFC server registration
#VERSION=2
TP=* HOST=internal ACCESS=internal CANCEL=internal
TP=* HOST=* ACCESS=* CANCEL=* DENY