CVE-2016-0039 in SharePoint Foundation
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in SharePoint Server in Microsoft SharePoint Foundation 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 • 07/07/2022
The CVE-2016-0039 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Microsoft SharePoint Foundation 2013 SP1, specifically affecting the SharePoint Server platform. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web application framework, creating an exploitable condition that allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into web pages viewed by other users. The flaw exists at the application layer where user-supplied input is not properly sanitized before being rendered in web responses, enabling attackers to manipulate the application's behavior and potentially compromise user sessions or execute unauthorized actions.
This vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws where applications fail to properly validate or encode user-controllable data before incorporating it into dynamically generated web content. The attack vector involves sending a maliciously crafted HTTP request to the SharePoint server that contains script code or HTML elements designed to exploit the lack of proper input sanitization. When the vulnerable SharePoint application processes this request and renders the unvalidated input in subsequent web responses, the malicious code executes within the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized access to sensitive information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to establish persistent access to SharePoint environments and potentially escalate privileges within the application. Attackers can leverage this flaw to perform session riding attacks where they capture and reuse valid user sessions, or execute more sophisticated attacks such as defacement of SharePoint sites, data exfiltration, or creation of backdoor access points within the organization's SharePoint infrastructure. The vulnerability affects the core web application functionality of SharePoint Foundation 2013 SP1, making it particularly dangerous as it can compromise the integrity and confidentiality of all content managed through the platform.
Organizations can address this vulnerability through several mitigation strategies including immediate application of Microsoft security patches and updates released to address the specific XSS flaw in SharePoint Foundation 2013 SP1. Network-based protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion prevention systems can help detect and block malicious requests attempting to exploit this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within SharePoint applications can prevent similar issues from occurring in the future, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter usage. Administrators should also consider implementing content security policies and disabling unnecessary features that may contribute to the attack surface, while regularly monitoring SharePoint logs for suspicious activities that may indicate exploitation attempts.