CVE-2008-1888 in SharePoint Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services 2.0 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the Picture Source (aka picture object source) field in the Rich Text Editor.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/16/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1888 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services 2.0 that exposes organizations to significant web application security risks. This vulnerability specifically targets the Rich Text Editor component of the platform, where user input is processed and rendered without adequate sanitization measures. The issue manifests when attackers exploit the Picture Source field, which serves as a parameter for embedding images within SharePoint content, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML code that can be executed in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which classifies cross-site scripting as a weakness where applications fail to properly validate or escape user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamically generated web pages. The flaw occurs because SharePoint Services 2.0 does not adequately filter or sanitize input from the Picture Source field, creating an attack vector where malicious payloads can be stored and subsequently executed when other users view the affected content. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK framework's T1566 category, specifically targeting the execution of malicious code through web-based attack vectors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it enables attackers to establish persistent access to SharePoint environments through session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. When exploited, the XSS vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute scripts in the context of the victim's browser, potentially leading to complete compromise of user sessions, data exfiltration, or the deployment of additional malware. Organizations using SharePoint Services 2.0 are particularly vulnerable because the Rich Text Editor is commonly used for creating collaborative content, making the attack surface broad and the potential damage significant.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-1888 should include immediate implementation of input validation and output encoding measures, particularly for all fields within the Rich Text Editor that accept external input. Organizations should enforce strict content filtering policies that prevent the execution of JavaScript and other potentially dangerous code within SharePoint environments. The implementation of a robust web application firewall can provide additional protection by detecting and blocking malicious payloads before they can be processed by the SharePoint infrastructure. Furthermore, regular security updates and patches should be applied to ensure that known vulnerabilities are addressed, while user education programs can help prevent social engineering attacks that might exploit this vulnerability through phishing or other deceptive techniques.