CVE-2015-1640 in Project Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Microsoft Project Server 2010 SP2 and 2013 SP1 allows remote attackers 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 • 05/06/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1640 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Microsoft Project Server 2010 SP2 and 2013 SP1 platforms. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web application framework that processes user-supplied data. The flaw specifically affects the SharePoint component that handles request processing, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of authenticated user sessions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it operates at the application layer, exploiting weaknesses in how the platform sanitizes and validates user inputs before rendering them in web responses.
The technical exploitation of this XSS vulnerability occurs when attackers craft malicious requests containing script payloads that are not properly escaped or validated by the server-side processing mechanisms. When legitimate users view pages containing the malicious content, the embedded scripts execute in their browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of the victim. The vulnerability manifests through various attack vectors including reflected and stored XSS scenarios, where malicious code can be injected into web pages or database entries and subsequently executed when other users access the affected resources. This flaw aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities in web applications, and represents a classic example of inadequate input sanitization and output encoding practices.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-1640 extends beyond simple data corruption or display issues, as it fundamentally compromises the security posture of Project Server environments. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, access sensitive project data, manipulate resource allocations, or even gain access to underlying SharePoint infrastructure. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to the network or system, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Project Server serves as a critical collaboration platform. Organizations utilizing these versions face significant risks including unauthorized data access, project manipulation, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The vulnerability also intersects with several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage and T1566 for credential harvesting through social engineering.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Microsoft Project Server installations with the appropriate security updates from Microsoft. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent script injection attempts, while also deploying web application firewalls to monitor and filter malicious requests. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to prevent unauthorized script execution, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. Network segmentation and privilege separation can help limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs, while user education regarding suspicious web content and phishing attempts remains crucial for overall security posture. Organizations should also consider implementing automated monitoring solutions to detect anomalous behavior patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability's impact can be subtle and difficult to detect through standard security scanning tools.