CVE-2011-1252 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the SafeHTML function in the toStaticHTML API in Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 and 8, Office SharePoint Server 2007 SP2, Office SharePoint Server 2010 Gold and SP1, Groove Server 2010 Gold and SP1, Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 SP2, and SharePoint Foundation 2010 Gold and SP1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified strings, aka "toStaticHTML Information Disclosure Vulnerability" or "HTML Sanitization Vulnerability."
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/21/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2011-1252 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Microsoft's toStaticHTML API implementation that affects multiple SharePoint products and Internet Explorer versions. This security weakness specifically targets the SafeHTML function designed to sanitize user input and prevent malicious script injection. The vulnerability arises from insufficient validation mechanisms within the sanitization process, allowing attackers to bypass the intended protection measures. The flaw impacts a wide range of Microsoft products including Internet Explorer 7 and 8 browsers, SharePoint Server 2007 through 2010, and related SharePoint Foundation implementations, making it particularly dangerous due to its broad attack surface.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of unspecified strings that are processed by the toStaticHTML API's SafeHTML function. When user-supplied input passes through this sanitization routine, the flawed implementation fails to properly neutralize potentially malicious content, enabling attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML code. This represents a classic case of improper input validation where the security mechanism designed to protect against XSS attacks actually becomes a vector for exploitation. The vulnerability specifically targets the HTML sanitization process, which according to CWE-79 typically involves improper neutralization of input data that should be treated as markup or script content.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for organizations relying on SharePoint platforms and Internet Explorer browsers, as it allows remote attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of the victim's browser session. The impact extends beyond simple script execution to include potential information disclosure, session hijacking, and privilege escalation attacks. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal sensitive data, manipulate SharePoint content, or redirect users to malicious websites. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would align with techniques involving code injection and credential access, particularly through web-based attack vectors that exploit browser security mechanisms.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including browser updates, enhanced input validation, and network-based protections such as web application firewalls. The recommended approach involves disabling or restricting the use of the vulnerable toStaticHTML API functions until proper patches are deployed. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments across all SharePoint installations and browser environments to identify potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing proper content security policies and monitoring for suspicious script injection attempts can help detect and prevent exploitation of this vulnerability. The remediation process should include updating to the latest SharePoint security patches and ensuring all Internet Explorer installations are current with security updates that address this specific sanitization flaw.