CVE-2010-0817 in SharePoint
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in _layouts/help.aspx in Microsoft SharePoint Server 2007 12.0.0.6421 and possibly earlier, and SharePoint Services 3.0 SP1 and SP2, versions, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the cid0 parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-0817 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Microsoft SharePoint Server 2007 and SharePoint Services 3.0 SP1 and SP2 installations. This vulnerability specifically affects the _layouts/help.aspx page component, which serves as a central help and support interface for SharePoint environments. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the SharePoint application's handling of user-supplied parameters, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to execute malicious code within the context of authenticated users' browsers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the cid0 parameter, which is processed by the help.aspx page without adequate sanitization of user input. When an attacker crafts a malicious payload and injects it through this parameter, the SharePoint server fails to properly encode or validate the input before rendering it in the web response. This allows attackers to inject arbitrary HTML and JavaScript code that executes in the browser context of unsuspecting users who visit the affected page. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in software applications, and represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation can lead to severe security implications in web-based platforms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can be leveraged to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to malicious sites. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to steal authentication cookies, capture user credentials, or redirect victims to phishing sites that appear legitimate within the SharePoint environment. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires no special privileges or authentication to exploit, making it accessible to any remote attacker who can craft a malicious URL and trick users into clicking it. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which describes social engineering tactics used to deliver malicious payloads through web-based attacks.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability face significant security risks as the exploitation can lead to complete compromise of user sessions and potential lateral movement within SharePoint environments. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the widespread adoption of SharePoint Server 2007 and SharePoint Services 3.0 across enterprise environments, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to establish persistent access to corporate networks. Microsoft addressed this vulnerability through security updates that implemented proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms for the affected help.aspx page, requiring administrators to apply the appropriate patches to remediate the issue. Organizations should also implement additional security measures including web application firewalls, regular security assessments, and user education programs to minimize the risk of exploitation in environments where patching may be delayed or incomplete.