CVE-2018-1005 in SharePoint Enterprise Server
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when Microsoft SharePoint Server does not properly sanitize a specially crafted web request to an affected SharePoint server, aka "Microsoft SharePoint Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability." This affects Microsoft SharePoint. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2018-1014, CVE-2018-1032, CVE-2018-1034.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/09/2021
The Microsoft SharePoint Server elevation of privilege vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that allows attackers to escalate their privileges within the SharePoint environment. This vulnerability stems from the server's insufficient sanitization of specially crafted web requests, creating an avenue for unauthorized users to gain higher-level access rights than initially granted. The flaw specifically impacts Microsoft SharePoint Server installations, making them susceptible to privilege escalation attacks that could compromise the entire system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of web requests within the SharePoint server architecture. When a malicious user submits a crafted request that exploits the sanitization gap, the system fails to properly validate or filter the input parameters. This allows the attacker to manipulate the server's authentication and authorization mechanisms, potentially enabling access to administrative functions, sensitive data, or the ability to execute arbitrary code within the SharePoint environment. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and leverages the server's trust in incoming requests without adequate verification.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can lead to complete system compromise when combined with other attack vectors. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can access restricted SharePoint sites, modify or delete content, manipulate user permissions, and potentially establish persistence within the environment. The implications are particularly severe in enterprise settings where SharePoint servers often host critical business data and serve as collaboration platforms for sensitive corporate information. This vulnerability can also facilitate lateral movement within networks where SharePoint servers are integrated with other Microsoft products.
Security professionals should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability, beginning with immediate patching of affected SharePoint Server installations. The Microsoft Security Response Center has released patches specifically addressing this issue, and organizations must prioritize deployment of these updates across all affected systems. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous web request patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Access controls should be reviewed and strengthened, ensuring that users have the minimum necessary permissions. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar sanitization issues within the SharePoint environment. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which addresses improper input validation, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1068, involving the exploitation of remote services for privilege escalation. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to provide additional protection against crafted web requests that could exploit this vulnerability.