CVE-2026-23689 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-606 (Unchecked Input for Loop Condition) affecting SAP SE’s Supply Chain Management (SCM) software across several versions (SCMAPO 713, 714, SCM 700, 701, 702, 712). The flaw allows an authenticated attacker with standard user privileges and network access to invoke a remote-enabled function module repeatedly, supplying an excessively large loop-control parameter. This unchecked input causes the function’s loop to execute for an extended period, consuming disproportionate system resources such as CPU and memory. The excessive resource consumption leads to a denial-of-service (DoS) condition, rendering the affected SAP SCM system unavailable to legitimate users. The vulnerability does not affect confidentiality or integrity, as it does not allow data leakage or modification. The attack vector requires authentication but no user interaction beyond that, and the vulnerability can be exploited remotely over the network. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.7, reflecting high severity due to network attack vector, low attack complexity, required privileges, and high impact on availability. No patches or known exploits are currently reported, but the vulnerability’s nature and impact warrant urgent attention. The vulnerability’s root cause is insufficient validation of input parameters controlling loop iterations, a common programming oversight leading to resource exhaustion.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the availability of critical supply chain management systems that rely on SAP SCM software. Disruption of SCM operations can lead to delays in procurement, production, and distribution processes, potentially causing financial losses and supply chain instability. Industries such as manufacturing, logistics, retail, and pharmaceuticals, which heavily depend on SAP SCM, may experience operational downtime. The impact is particularly severe for organizations with integrated, real-time supply chain processes where system unavailability can cascade into broader business interruptions. While confidentiality and integrity are not directly impacted, the denial-of-service condition can erode customer trust and regulatory compliance, especially under stringent EU operational resilience requirements. The requirement for authenticated access limits exploitation to insiders or compromised accounts, but insider threats or credential theft scenarios remain plausible. The absence of known exploits in the wild suggests a window for proactive mitigation before widespread attacks occur.

European organizations should implement the following specific mitigation measures: 1) Apply vendor patches immediately once available; monitor SAP security advisories closely for updates. 2) Restrict access to SAP SCM remote-enabled function modules by enforcing strict role-based access controls (RBAC) and minimizing user privileges to only those necessary. 3) Implement network segmentation and firewall rules to limit exposure of SAP SCM interfaces to trusted internal networks and VPNs only. 4) Monitor SAP system logs and network traffic for unusual invocation patterns or repeated calls with abnormally large parameters indicative of attempted exploitation. 5) Employ SAP’s built-in security tools or third-party solutions to detect anomalous resource consumption and trigger alerts. 6) Conduct regular user credential audits and enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) to reduce risk of compromised accounts. 7) Engage in secure coding reviews and input validation enhancements for custom SAP modules to prevent similar unchecked loop conditions. 8) Prepare incident response plans specifically addressing denial-of-service scenarios affecting SAP SCM to minimize downtime.