CVE-2015-1653 in SharePoint Foundation
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Microsoft SharePoint Foundation 2013 SP1 and SharePoint Server 2013 SP1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted request, aka "Microsoft SharePoint XSS Vulnerability."
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/06/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1653 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Microsoft SharePoint Foundation 2013 SP1 and SharePoint Server 2013 SP1 environments. This security weakness enables remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code through carefully crafted HTTP requests that target the affected SharePoint platforms. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the SharePoint application's request processing pipeline, creating an exploitable condition where user-supplied data is not properly sanitized before being rendered in web responses. Such flaws are particularly dangerous in enterprise collaboration platforms where multiple users interact with shared resources, as they can facilitate unauthorized access to sensitive information and system compromise.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability occurs when SharePoint applications fail to adequately validate or escape user input parameters that are subsequently displayed in web pages without proper sanitization. Attackers can construct malicious payloads that exploit this weakness by embedding script code within request parameters, which then gets executed in the browsers of unsuspecting users who access the compromised SharePoint resources. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in software applications, and aligns with the broader category of injection vulnerabilities that have been consistently ranked among the top cybersecurity threats by organizations like OWASP. The attack vector typically involves manipulating URL parameters, form fields, or other input mechanisms that SharePoint uses to process user requests and generate dynamic web content.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-1653 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, or even execute administrative commands within the SharePoint environment. In enterprise settings where SharePoint serves as a central collaboration platform, this vulnerability could allow unauthorized individuals to access confidential documents, manipulate shared resources, or establish persistent access points within the organization's network infrastructure. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require local system access or physical proximity to exploit the flaw, making it particularly attractive for cybercriminals seeking to conduct large-scale attacks against multiple targets simultaneously. Organizations using SharePoint 2013 SP1 versions face significant risk of data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and potential compromise of their entire collaboration ecosystem.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate implementation of Microsoft's security patches and updates specifically designed to address the XSS flaw in SharePoint 2013 environments. Organizations must also deploy comprehensive input validation mechanisms, implement proper output encoding for all user-supplied data, and configure web application firewalls to detect and block malicious script injection attempts. Additionally, security teams should conduct thorough code reviews and penetration testing to identify potential additional vulnerabilities within SharePoint configurations and custom applications built on the platform. The remediation process should follow established security frameworks and include regular monitoring for suspicious activities, user access controls, and network segmentation to limit potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing security awareness training for users to recognize phishing attempts and other social engineering methods that might be used to deliver malicious payloads through SharePoint interfaces.