Slashdot: Chinese Hackers Exploit SAP NetWeaver RCE Flaw

May 11, 2025

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Source URL: https://it.slashdot.org/story/25/05/11/0544252/chinese-hackers-exploit-sap-netweaver-rce-flaw?utm_source=rss1.0mainlinkanon&utm_medium=feed
Source: Slashdot
Title: Chinese Hackers Exploit SAP NetWeaver RCE Flaw

Feedly Summary:

AI Summary and Description: Yes

Summary: The text discusses a critical security vulnerability (CVE-2025-31324) in SAP NetWeaver being exploited by an unnamed China-linked threat actor known as Chaya_004. This flaw allows remote code execution, leading to significant risks for various industries. The ongoing exploitation of this vulnerability emphasizes the need for urgent security measures among organizations utilizing SAP systems.

Detailed Description:
The information provided highlights a critical security concern that IT and security professionals in various sectors must address. This relates primarily to information security and infrastructure security, as it deals with the exploitation of a specific vulnerability in enterprise software (SAP NetWeaver) that could have wide-reaching consequences across industries.

– **Vulnerability**:
– CVE-2025-31324 is identified as a critical flaw with a CVSS score of 10.0, indicating a high-severity risk.
– This vulnerability enables remote code execution (RCE) by allowing attackers to upload web shells via a particular endpoint (“/developmentserver/metadatauploader”).

– **Exploitation Details**:
– The attack vector was first reported by Forescout Vedere Labs, which tracks the malicious activities of the Chaya_004 threat actor since April 29, 2025.
– Prior to this, ReliaQuest had already flagged this vulnerability being actively exploited in real-world attacks.
– The malicious infrastructure uncovered signifies the organized and tactical nature of the attacks, indicating advanced persistent threats (APTs).

– **Scope of Attack**:
– Onapsis, a cybersecurity firm specializing in SAP vulnerabilities, noted hundreds of global incidents across various sectors including:
– Energy and Utilities
– Manufacturing
– Media and Entertainment
– Oil and Gas
– Pharmaceuticals
– Retail
– Government Organizations
– Reconnaissance activities against the vulnerability were detected back in January 2025, showing that threat actors were actively testing exploit scenarios.

– **Recent Trends**:
– The text notes a trend of multiple threat actors taking advantage of the vulnerability to deploy web shells, which could facilitate additional malicious activities, including cryptocurrency mining.
– Specific mentions of other frameworks like Brute Ratel C4 indicate the evolving tactics of attackers and highlight the need for security teams to stay vigilant and proactive.

– **Implications for Security Professionals**:
– Organizations using SAP infrastructure must assess their exposure to this vulnerability and implement necessary security patches or mitigations immediately.
– Continuous monitoring and threat hunting should be prioritized to detect any exploitation attempts.
– Collaboration with security firms and threat intelligence sources can further enhance the defense against such vulnerabilities and sophisticated threat actors.

This situation illustrates the vital role of proactive security measures and ongoing vigilance in software security to safeguard against significant cyber threats.

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