Introduction
A single file upload by a non-administrative user can result in a full compromise of SAP NetWeaver AS Java, impacting confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE-2025-42922, disclosed in September 2025, exemplifies the ongoing risk posed by insufficiently validated file upload mechanisms in enterprise software.
SAP is a global leader in enterprise software, with SAP NetWeaver AS Java serving as a foundational platform for business-critical applications. With hundreds of thousands of customers and a presence in nearly every major industry, vulnerabilities in SAP products have far-reaching consequences for organizations worldwide.
Technical Information
CVE-2025-42922 is a critical vulnerability in SAP NetWeaver AS Java. It allows an attacker authenticated as a non-administrative user to exploit a flaw in an available service and upload an arbitrary file. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-94 (Improper Control of Generation of Code), indicating that the uploaded file can be crafted to execute code on the server. The flaw is not in the authentication layer but in the file upload mechanism, which lacks sufficient validation, sanitization, or containment. This enables attackers to upload files that, when processed or executed by the application, result in a full compromise of the system.
Key technical points:
- Exploitation requires valid user credentials but not administrative privileges.
- The vulnerable service does not properly validate or restrict uploaded files.
- Uploaded files can be executed, enabling code injection or arbitrary command execution.
- The vulnerability impacts the core security properties of the system.
No public code snippets or proof of concept are available at this time. The vulnerability is similar in impact to other SAP NetWeaver file upload and code injection issues reported in 2025.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: SAP NetWeaver AS Java
- Exact affected versions: Not specified in public sources as of publication
- Vulnerable configurations: Any deployment where non-administrative users can access file upload functionality in SAP NetWeaver AS Java
Vendor Security History
SAP has faced several critical vulnerabilities in 2025, including:
- CVE-2025-31324: File upload vulnerability in SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer
- Multiple deserialization flaws (CVE-2025-42963, CVE-2025-42964, CVE-2025-42966, CVE-2025-42980)
These vulnerabilities have been rapidly exploited in the wild, with threat actors targeting SAP infrastructure for both ransomware and espionage. SAP issues monthly security updates but has struggled with the pace of exploitation and the complexity of patching in enterprise environments.