Code Vulnerability Analysis for SAP

Automate code vulnerability analysis for ABAP programs and Fiori applications to secure custom SAP developments against cyber threats.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Securing Custom SAP Developments

Custom SAP programs are often vulnerable to dangerous exploits targeting programming flaws. The impact of the exploitation of program vulnerabilities can be devasting in terms of data manipulation or theft and the interruption of business-critical SAP services. Layer Seven Security perform automated static security scans to detect 300+ vulnerabilities in custom SAP code, supporting both ABAP programs and SAPUI5 applications. We integrate directly with SAP development tools including the ABAP Test Cockpit (ATC) and SAP Code Inspector (SCI). We also integrate with the SAP Transport Management System (TMS) to scan and block change requests with security errors or warnings. This ensures custom objects are secured against SQL injection, cross-site scripting, missing or broken authorization checks, unauthorized access to critical tables or sensitive functions, and other programming flaws.

Securing the Development Lifecycle

Layer Seven Security integrates directly with standard SAP development and transport tools to automate security gates.

Development Tools

Native integration with SAP ABAP Test Cockpit (ATC) and SAP Code Inspector (SCI).

Transport Management

Integration with the SAP Transport Management System (TMS) to scan and block change requests with security errors or warnings.

Comprehensive Coverage

Full coverage for code, system and user vulnerability scanning, patch management, compliance monitoring, threat detection, anomaly detection, and incident response.

Comprehensive Detection against SAP Security Standards

Layer Seven Security perform deep-stack reviews to identify a wide range of security flaws and logic errors.

Malicious Code

Backdoors, rootkits, and hardcoded users.

Broken Protections

Missing or broken authorization checks.

Web & Data Flaws

SQL and code injection, cross-site scripting, directory traversal, and session hijacking.

System Integrity

Unauthorized table modifications and sensitive function execution.

Layer Seven Security vs. SAP Code Vulnerability Analyzer (CVA)

Layer Seven Security deliver industry-leading protection for custom SAP programs, supporting a significantly higher number of code security checks than SAP Code Vulnerability Analyzer (CVA).

Securing the Development Lifecycle

The Cybersecurity Extension for SAP integrates directly with standard SAP development and transport tools to automate security gates.

Development Tools

Native integration with SAP ABAP Test Cockpit (ATC) and SAP Code Inspector (SCI).

Transport Management

Integration with the SAP Transport Management System (TMS) to scan and block change requests with security errors or warnings.

Comprehensive Coverage

In addition to securing custom code in SAP solutions, Layer Seven Security also supports system and user vulnerability management, patch management, compliance monitoring, threat detection, anomaly detection, and incident response.

Frequently Asked Questions about SAP Code Vulnerability Analysis

Why is code vulnerability analysis important for custom SAP programs and applications?

Code vulnerability analysis is performed by SAP for standard programs and applications before they are released to customers. Since SAP customers are responsible for maintaining internal developments, performing code vulnerability analysis for custom code ensures you are enforcing the same quality control as standard SAP code. Also, code vulnerability analysis helps identify security weaknesses in custom SAP code before they can be exploited, including issues such as broken authorization checks, SQL injection, code injection, cross-site scripting, directory traversal, and the misuse of sensitive functions or privileges.

How is this different from manual code review?

Unlike manual reviews, the solution automates code vulnerability analysis at scale across custom SAP developments, enabling faster, more consistent detection of hundreds of vulnerability types with direct integration into SAP development tools and transport workflows.

Does the solution support secure development for both new and existing custom code?

Yes. New code can be assessed during development. You can also perform targeted scans for specific namespaces or objects that are already deployed to production environments.

How does code vulnerability analysis support secure SAP modernization and S/4HANA transformation projects?

It helps organizations reduce risk during modernization by identifying security flaws in custom code that may be carried forward into new environments, while supporting secure remediation as applications are updated, migrated, or re-engineered. Its integration with SAP development and transport processes also helps embed security into transformation programs.

How does static code analysis help with SAP compliance and audit requirements?

Code vulnerability analysis helps organizations demonstrate that custom SAP developments are reviewed against security standards and that vulnerabilities, unsafe coding practices, and unauthorized access logic are identified and addressed in a controlled way. This strengthens audit readiness and supports more consistent secure development procedures. Layer Seven Security assess code against the industry-standard Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) framework from MITRE.

Does the solution support continuous or automated scanning?

Yes. Periodic scans can be scheduled to detect vulnerabilities introduced by changes to custom developments. The results can be analyzed in detailed reports.

How quickly can the solution be deployed?

Code vulnerability analysis can be activated for custom SAP applications in less than 1 hour. The includes installation of an SAP-certified ABAP addon from Layer Seven Security using transaction SAINT.

Can the solution scan custom SAP applications without affecting system performance?

Yes. There is no significant impact to system performance from code vulnerability scans. Periodic scans can be scheduled during off-peak times to further minimize impact.

Does this solution support SAPUI5 security?

Yes. Layer Seven Security support comprehensive static code analysis for custom Fiori / SAP UI5 applications. In contrast, SAP CVA provides limited support for such applications.

How many vulnerabilities can Layer Seven detect in custom code?

The solution performs static security scans to detect 300+ vulnerabilities in custom SAP code, which is significantly more than the 70+ checks performed by SAP CVA.

Can code vulnerability checks be customized?

Yes. The scope of code checks can be customized to include specific authorizations, tables, function modules and other objects. This includes custom objects.

Can Layer Seven block insecure code transports?

Yes. It integrates with the SAP Transport Management System (TMS) to automatically scan and block change requests that contain security errors or warnings.

Can the solution identify vulnerabilities before code is moved into production?

Yes, custom code can be scanned in development environments before it is migrated to production. It can also be automatically scanned during a transport request from development to production environments.

Does the solution provide remediation guidance?

Yes. We provide detailed steps to remediate code vulnerabilities with direct links to the vulnerable lines in the relevant objects. We also provide examples of secure coding practices.

How does the solution prioritize vulnerabilities and remediation efforts?

The solution helps teams prioritize remediation by rating findings on a low, medium, high, and critical severity scale, enabling developers and security teams to focus first on the most serious vulnerabilities in custom SAP code. This makes it easier to identify and address the issues that present the greatest risk to the security of SAP applications.

Can you exempt findings from the results if you accept or mitigate the risk?

Yes. Exemption requests can be created to exempt findings from results. The requests are reviewed and approved by designated owners before exemption.

Request a Custom Code Security Demo

Schedule a live demo of Layer Seven Security to experience industry-leading protection for your custom SAP developments.

Secure Your Transition to SAP S/4HANA

Manage user risks, secure custom code, and protect cloud systems during your migration.

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Secure Your Migration to SAP S/4HANA

Security is the #1 roadblock for a successful transition to S/4HANA. Protect your data, adapt your authorizations, and harden your cloud systems before you go live.