CVE-2018-0941 in Exchange Server
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Exchange Server 2016 Cumulative Update 7 and Microsoft Exchange Server 2016 Cumulative Update 8 allow an information disclosure vulnerability due to how data is imported, aka "Microsoft Exchange Information Disclosure Vulnerability". This CVE is unique from CVE-2018-0924.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/05/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0941 represents a critical information disclosure flaw affecting Microsoft Exchange Server 2016 installations, specifically within Cumulative Updates 7 and 8. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of data import processes within the Exchange Server infrastructure, creating potential pathways for unauthorized data exposure. The issue manifests when the system processes certain data formats during import operations, leading to unintended information leakage that could compromise sensitive organizational data. Unlike related vulnerabilities such as CVE-2018-0924, this particular flaw focuses specifically on the data import mechanisms rather than other attack vectors within the Exchange ecosystem.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the Exchange Server's processing of imported data streams, where insufficient validation and sanitization procedures allow malicious actors to potentially extract information that should remain confidential. The flaw exists in the way the server handles specific data formats during the import phase, particularly affecting the internal data structures and metadata that are processed during these operations. Attackers could exploit this weakness by crafting specially formatted data inputs that trigger the information disclosure behavior, potentially accessing sensitive data that would normally be protected by the server's access controls and security mechanisms.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations relying on Exchange Server 2016 for email and collaboration services. The information disclosure could potentially expose email content, user credentials, system configurations, or other sensitive data that might be processed through the import functions. Security teams face challenges in detecting and mitigating this vulnerability since it operates within legitimate data processing workflows, making it difficult to distinguish between normal operations and malicious exploitation attempts. The impact extends beyond simple data exposure, potentially enabling further attacks such as privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network environment.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant Microsoft security updates and patches that address this specific vulnerability. Network segmentation and monitoring controls should be enhanced to detect unusual data import patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses "Information Exposure," and represents a variant of the broader information disclosure attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the information gathering and credential access tactics. Security administrators should also consider implementing additional access controls and data loss prevention measures to reduce the potential impact of any successful exploitation attempts.