CVE-2010-2091 in Exchange Server
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Outlook Web Access (OWA) 8.2.254.0, when Internet Explorer 7 on Windows Server 2003 is used, does not properly handle the id parameter in a Folder IPF.Note action to the default URI, which might allow remote attackers to obtain sensitive information or conduct cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks via an invalid value.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2017
Microsoft Outlook Web Access version 8.2.254.0 contains a critical input validation vulnerability that affects users accessing the web interface through Internet Explorer 7 on Windows Server 2003 systems. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of the id parameter within Folder IPF.Note actions directed to the default URI, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system through crafted malicious inputs. The flaw manifests when the application fails to adequately sanitize or validate user-supplied id parameters, allowing attackers to inject malicious content that can be executed within the victim's browser context. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-79 Cross-Site Scripting and CWE-20 Improper Input Validation, representing a fundamental weakness in the application's parameter handling mechanisms that violates secure coding principles.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass full cross-site scripting capabilities that can be leveraged for sophisticated attack scenarios. Attackers can craft malicious URLs containing crafted id parameter values that, when processed by the vulnerable OWA instance, execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of the authenticated user's session. This enables attackers to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect victims to malicious sites. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects the default URI handling mechanism, meaning that attackers do not need to target specific pages or components but can exploit the core application functionality that handles email folder operations. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, where adversaries leverage web-based scripting to execute malicious code.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal prerequisites and can be accomplished through simple web-based attacks that do not require elevated privileges or specialized tools. The attack surface is broad as it affects all users of the vulnerable OWA version who access the system through the specified browser and operating system combination. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices where the application assumes all id parameters are valid without proper sanitization or encoding before processing. This creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited repeatedly against any user who accesses the vulnerable system, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where OWA is widely used for email access. Security controls such as content security policies and input validation mechanisms would be ineffective against this specific vulnerability due to its root cause in the application's parameter handling architecture.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant Microsoft security updates that address this specific vulnerability in OWA 8.2.254.0. Network-based protections such as web application firewalls should be configured to monitor and filter suspicious id parameter values that could indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing strict input validation policies for all web applications, particularly those handling user-supplied data through URI parameters. Regular security assessments should include testing for similar input validation vulnerabilities across all web-based applications, as this flaw represents a common pattern in web application security that affects many systems beyond just Microsoft OWA. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure parameter handling and input validation in preventing both information disclosure and cross-site scripting attacks that can compromise entire user sessions and potentially lead to broader system compromises.