A Threat-Driven Methodology for Detecting and Mitigating OAuth 2.0 Misconfigurations and XSUAA Security Risks in SAP BTP Applications
OAuth 2.0 misconfigurations and weaknesses in XSUAA can expose SAP Business Technology Platform (SAP BTP) applications to unauthorized access, token misuse, and inadequate authorization enforcement. This study examines a threat-driven methodology for identifying, assessing, and mitigating security risks associated with authentication, authorization, token handling, and identity configuration in SAP BTP environments. The research adopts a mixed-method approach, combining qualitative threat modeling and configuration analysis with quantitative assessment of identified vulnerabilities, likelihood, and potential impact. The methodology evaluates OAuth 2.0 authorization flows, token validation practices, scope assignments, role collections, trust configurations, and application security settings to identify weaknesses that may compromise enterprise resources. Findings are organized around common misconfiguration patterns, excessive privileges, insufficient token validation, and inconsistent enforcement of access policies. The proposed methodology integrates systematic threat identification, risk prioritization, security control verification, and mitigation planning into a repeatable assessment process. Its principal contribution is a structured approach that connects protocol-level weaknesses with SAP-specific identity and access management controls, enabling security teams to address vulnerabilities according to their operational significance. The framework also supports secure configuration reviews, improved audit readiness, and more consistent application of least-privilege principles. By establishing a practical relationship between threat analysis and preventive security measures, this study contributes to enterprise application security research and provides SAP architects, developers, and security professionals with an actionable foundation for strengthening OAuth 2.0 implementations and XSUAA configurations across SAP BTP applications.
Keywords: OAuth 2.0, SAP Business Technology Platform, SAP BTP Security, XSUAA, Machine Learning, Supply Chain, SAP IBP, SAP GTS, SAP Transportation Management, Security Vulnerability Assessment, Threat Modeling, Authentication and Authorization, Access Token Security, Identity and Access Management, Role-Based Access Control, Security Misconfiguration, Vulnerability Mitigation, Security Risk Assessment, Least Privilege Principle, Enterprise Application Security, Secure Authorization Flows
