CVE-2012-1862 in SharePoint
Summary
by MITRE
Open redirect vulnerability in Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 SP2 and SP3 allows remote attackers to redirect users to arbitrary web sites and conduct phishing attacks via a crafted URL, aka "SharePoint URL Redirection Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/26/2021
The CVE-2012-1862 vulnerability represents a critical open redirect flaw in Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 SP2 and SP3 versions, fundamentally compromising user security through malicious URL manipulation. This vulnerability operates by exploiting the server's failure to properly validate and sanitize URL parameters within its redirection mechanisms, creating a pathway for attackers to craft deceptive links that appear legitimate while directing users to malicious external domains. The flaw resides in the server's handling of redirect URLs, where input validation is insufficient to prevent unauthorized redirection sequences.
This security weakness falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-601, specifically targeting open redirect vulnerabilities where applications fail to properly validate redirect targets. The vulnerability enables attackers to construct malicious URLs that, when clicked by unsuspecting users, redirect them to phishing sites or malicious content hosting platforms. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it leverages the trusted SharePoint environment to deliver deceptive redirects, making the malicious redirection appear legitimate to end users who expect to remain within the trusted SharePoint domain.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple phishing attacks, as it can facilitate more sophisticated social engineering campaigns and credential theft operations. Attackers can craft URLs that redirect users from SharePoint to carefully constructed phishing pages designed to capture login credentials or other sensitive information. The vulnerability affects the integrity of user trust within the SharePoint environment, as legitimate users may unknowingly navigate to malicious sites while believing they remain within their organization's secure portal. This creates a significant risk for enterprises relying on SharePoint for internal communications and document management.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-1862 should include immediate implementation of URL validation controls within SharePoint server configurations, ensuring that all redirect parameters are properly sanitized and validated against a whitelist of approved domains. Organizations should deploy web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious redirect patterns, while also implementing user education programs to raise awareness about suspicious URL redirections. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and output encoding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security principles, particularly addressing the risk of open redirects that can be exploited to bypass security controls. Microsoft released security updates to address this vulnerability, and organizations should ensure all SharePoint installations are patched to prevent exploitation.
The attack surface for this vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where SharePoint serves as a primary collaboration platform, as users frequently navigate through multiple redirects during normal operations. The flaw can be exploited through various attack vectors including email phishing campaigns, compromised web pages, or social engineering tactics that leverage the trust users place in SharePoint environments. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, specifically targeting the initial access phase through social engineering methods that exploit user trust in legitimate applications. Organizations must implement comprehensive monitoring solutions to detect anomalous redirect patterns and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing open redirect vulnerabilities in their SharePoint infrastructure.