CVE-2012-0145 in SharePoint
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in wizardlist.aspx in Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2010 Gold and SP1 and SharePoint Foundation 2010 Gold and SP1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via JavaScript sequences in a URL, aka "XSS in wizardlist.aspx Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/20/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0145 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw located within the wizardlist.aspx component of Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2010 and SharePoint Foundation 2010, affecting both the Gold release and Service Pack 1 versions. This weakness stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web application's user interface components, specifically in the wizard list functionality that handles user interactions and page navigation. The vulnerability exists in the server-side processing logic where user-supplied URL parameters containing JavaScript sequences are not properly sanitized before being rendered back to users within the web interface. This flaw enables attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute within the context of other users' browsers, potentially compromising their sessions and access privileges. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it leverages standard web navigation patterns through URL manipulation, making it accessible to attackers with minimal technical expertise.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing JavaScript code within the parameters that are processed by the wizardlist.aspx page. When a victim navigates to this crafted URL or clicks on a link containing the malicious payload, the SharePoint server fails to properly encode or validate the input before including it in the page's HTML output. This creates an XSS condition where the injected script executes in the victim's browser context, potentially allowing attackers to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect victims to malicious sites. The vulnerability specifically affects the wizard navigation functionality, which is commonly used for site configuration and administrative tasks, amplifying the potential impact of successful exploitation. According to CWE classification, this represents a classic cross-site scripting vulnerability categorized under CWE-79, which deals with improper neutralization of input during web output.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-0145 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks within SharePoint environments. Attackers can use this vulnerability to establish persistent access patterns, harvest user credentials through session hijacking, or deploy additional malware within the victim's browser context. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where SharePoint serves as a collaboration platform, as it can enable attackers to access sensitive corporate information, manipulate shared documents, or escalate privileges within the SharePoint security model. The attack requires minimal user interaction, typically just visiting a malicious link, which makes it particularly effective for phishing campaigns or social engineering attacks. Organizations using SharePoint 2010 are at risk regardless of their security measures, as the vulnerability exists in core application functionality rather than being dependent on specific user configurations or third-party extensions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-0145 should focus on immediate patch deployment from Microsoft, which addresses the root cause by implementing proper input validation and output encoding for the wizardlist.aspx component. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious URL patterns containing JavaScript sequences, particularly those targeting SharePoint-specific paths. Input sanitization measures should be enhanced at the application level to ensure all user-supplied parameters undergo strict validation before being processed or rendered. Network-level protections including URL filtering and content inspection can provide additional defense-in-depth layers. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any custom SharePoint applications or third-party solutions that might be affected by similar input validation issues. Regular security monitoring and user education regarding suspicious link behavior are essential components of a comprehensive mitigation strategy. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for script execution and T1566 for social engineering, emphasizing the need for both technical controls and user awareness training to prevent successful exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing browser security policies that restrict script execution and enhance overall web application security posture through regular security assessments and code reviews.