CVE-2015-1636 in SharePoint Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Microsoft SharePoint Foundation 2013 Gold and SP1 and SharePoint Server 2013 Gold and SP1 allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted request, aka "Microsoft SharePoint XSS Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/01/2022
The CVE-2015-1636 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting Microsoft SharePoint Foundation 2013 and SharePoint Server 2013 across their respective gold and service pack 1 releases. This vulnerability resides in the web application's input validation mechanisms, specifically within the handling of user-supplied data that flows into web responses without proper sanitization or encoding. The flaw enables authenticated attackers to inject malicious scripts or HTML content into SharePoint applications, potentially compromising user sessions and data integrity. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-79 indicates a weakness in the web application's failure to properly sanitize input data, making it susceptible to malicious code execution within the context of a victim's browser session.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when authenticated users submit crafted requests containing malicious payloads to SharePoint applications. These payloads can include javascript code, html tags, or other malicious content that gets processed and rendered within the web application's user interface. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation and sanitization of user input at multiple points within the SharePoint framework, particularly affecting areas where user-generated content is displayed without proper output encoding. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute scripts in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or privilege escalation within the SharePoint environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-1636 extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to manipulate SharePoint applications in ways that can compromise entire organizational systems. When exploited, this vulnerability allows threat actors to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or modify content displayed within SharePoint portals. The authenticated nature of the exploit means that attackers need valid credentials to leverage the vulnerability, but once accessed, they can operate within the permissions granted to their accounts. This creates a significant risk for organizations where SharePoint serves as a central collaboration platform, as compromised accounts can provide access to sensitive documents, user data, and business-critical information. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script injection and T1531 for credential access through session manipulation.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2015-1636. Immediate remediation involves applying Microsoft security patches and updates released in response to this vulnerability, as well as implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout SharePoint applications. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit the potential impact of compromised accounts. Regular security monitoring and log analysis can help detect unusual activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing content security policies and disabling unnecessary features can reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and proper web application security practices, as highlighted in industry standards such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in their SharePoint environments.