CVE-2022-41214 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting SAP SE's NetWeaver Application Server ABAP and ABAP Platform versions 700, 731, 740, 750, 789, and 804. The root cause is improper input validation (CWE-20) in a remote-enabled function that allows an attacker with high-level privileges to delete files that should otherwise be protected. Specifically, the vulnerability arises because the application fails to adequately validate input parameters before processing file deletion requests. This flaw enables an attacker who already has elevated privileges within the SAP environment to remotely invoke this function and delete critical files, potentially including configuration files, application binaries, or data files. The exploitation does not require user interaction but does require the attacker to have high privileges, which implies that initial access or privilege escalation must have been achieved beforehand. The vulnerability impacts the integrity and availability of the SAP application, as deletion of key files can disrupt normal operations, cause data loss, or corrupt application state. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 8.7 (high), with vector AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:H/A:H, indicating network attack vector, low attack complexity, high privileges required, no user interaction, and scope change. Although confidentiality is not impacted, the integrity and availability impacts are significant, and the vulnerability affects multiple widely deployed SAP NetWeaver versions. No known exploits in the wild have been reported to date, but the vulnerability's nature and severity make it a critical concern for organizations relying on these SAP platforms.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-41214 can be substantial due to the widespread use of SAP NetWeaver Application Server ABAP and ABAP Platform in enterprise resource planning (ERP), supply chain management, and other critical business functions. Successful exploitation can lead to deletion of critical application files, resulting in service disruption, data integrity loss, and potential downtime of essential business processes. This can affect financial operations, manufacturing, logistics, and customer relationship management systems, causing operational delays and financial losses. Given the high privileges required, the vulnerability is most likely to be exploited by insiders or attackers who have already compromised privileged accounts, amplifying the risk of insider threats or lateral movement within networks. The scope change in the CVSS vector indicates that the vulnerability can affect resources beyond the initially vulnerable component, potentially impacting interconnected systems and services. For sectors such as finance, manufacturing, and public administration—where SAP systems are heavily integrated—the consequences could include regulatory non-compliance, reputational damage, and disruption of critical infrastructure services. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the potential for targeted attacks, especially in the context of increasing cyber espionage and ransomware activities in Europe.

1. Immediate application of SAP's official patches or security notes addressing CVE-2022-41214 once available is the most effective mitigation. Organizations should monitor SAP Security Notes and apply updates promptly. 2. Restrict and audit high-privilege accounts rigorously to minimize the risk of misuse. Implement strict access controls and enforce the principle of least privilege for SAP administrative users. 3. Employ network segmentation to isolate SAP NetWeaver servers from less trusted network zones, reducing exposure to remote attacks. 4. Enable detailed logging and monitoring of remote-enabled function calls within SAP systems to detect anomalous file deletion attempts or privilege misuse. 5. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing focused on SAP environments to identify privilege escalation paths and potential exploitation vectors. 6. Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all privileged SAP accounts to reduce the risk of credential compromise. 7. Develop and test incident response plans specific to SAP system compromises, including backup and recovery procedures to restore deleted files and minimize downtime. 8. Consider deploying application-layer firewalls or SAP-specific security tools that can detect and block unauthorized remote function calls. These targeted controls go beyond generic advice by focusing on SAP-specific configurations and operational practices.