Subject Area: SAP-ABAP (Security & Compliance)
In SAP systems, error messages play a vital role in alerting users and developers about issues during program execution. However, if error messages are not carefully designed and managed, they can inadvertently leak sensitive information — a serious security risk often overlooked. Such information leakage may expose internal system details, user data, or configuration specifics that attackers can exploit, leading to security breaches or SAP-ABAP “crimes.”
This article discusses the risks of information leakage via error messages, common pitfalls, and best practices to prevent such vulnerabilities in ABAP applications.
Error messages are intended to help users identify and resolve problems. But overly detailed or poorly handled error texts can expose:
Attackers can analyze such information to craft targeted attacks, bypass access controls, or exploit vulnerabilities.
When a program crashes without proper exception handling, the system may display technical dumps (ST22) or verbose error screens showing internal details.
Custom error messages that echo back sensitive user input or system values without sanitization can expose confidential information.
SQL errors revealing table names or failed authorization messages showing exact missing permissions can aid attackers in reconnaissance.
Avoid exposing technical details in messages shown to end users. For example, instead of:
Error: Table Z_EMPLOYEE does not exist.
Use:
An internal error occurred. Please contact support.
Log detailed errors internally but keep user messages vague.
Use structured exception handling (TRY...CATCH) to intercept runtime errors and control message content.
TRY.
" ABAP code that may fail
CATCH cx_sy_dyn_call_illegal_method INTO DATA(lx_error).
MESSAGE 'Operation failed. Please contact your administrator.' TYPE 'E'.
" Log lx_error details internally
ENDTRY.
Never directly display user inputs or system values in error messages without sanitization to prevent injection or leakage.
Define error messages in message classes with carefully crafted texts. Avoid placing sensitive information in message texts.
Detailed error information should be logged in secured logs or database tables with restricted access, not on user screens.
Instead of showing detailed missing authorization objects, display generic permission errors to users.
DATA: lv_result TYPE i.
TRY.
lv_result = some_function( iv_param = lv_input ).
CATCH cx_root INTO DATA(lx_exception).
" Log error internally for debugging
CALL FUNCTION 'Z_LOG_ERROR'
EXPORTING
iv_message = lx_exception->get_text( ).
" Show generic message to user
MESSAGE 'An unexpected error occurred. Please contact support.' TYPE 'E'.
ENDTRY.
Preventing information leakage through error messages is a critical but sometimes neglected aspect of SAP security. Developers must design error handling to balance user guidance and information protection carefully.
By avoiding detailed technical disclosures, sanitizing messages, and implementing robust exception handling, ABAP developers can help safeguard SAP environments against attackers who exploit information leakage — protecting the system from potential SAP-ABAP “crimes.”