CVE-2018-1032 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 Server, Microsoft SharePoint. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2018-1005, CVE-2018-1014, CVE-2018-1034.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/09/2021
This elevation of privilege vulnerability in Microsoft SharePoint Server represents a critical security flaw that allows attackers to escalate their privileges within the affected system. The vulnerability stems from the improper sanitization of specially crafted web requests that are processed by SharePoint Server components. When an attacker crafts a malicious web request and submits it to an affected SharePoint server, the system fails to adequately validate or sanitize the input parameters, creating an opportunity for unauthorized privilege escalation. This flaw specifically impacts Microsoft SharePoint Server and Microsoft SharePoint implementations, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on these platforms for content management and collaboration services.
The technical nature of this vulnerability can be categorized under CWE-20, which represents "Improper Input Validation" in the Common Weakness Enumeration taxonomy. The flaw occurs at the input processing layer where SharePoint Server fails to properly validate the structure and content of web requests before processing them. This allows malicious actors to inject crafted parameters that bypass normal access controls and authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability's exploitation typically involves constructing web requests that manipulate server-side processing logic, potentially enabling attackers to gain elevated permissions such as administrative access or the ability to read/write sensitive data within the SharePoint environment.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses substantial risks to organizations utilizing SharePoint Server platforms. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to access sensitive corporate information, modify or delete critical data, and potentially establish persistent access to the SharePoint environment. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that SharePoint servers often serve as central repositories for enterprise content and collaboration services, making them attractive targets for malicious actors seeking to compromise organizational security. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of SharePoint Server, increasing its potential impact across various deployment scenarios including on-premises installations and cloud-based SharePoint Online services.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patch application from Microsoft, which would address the input sanitization flaws in SharePoint Server's web request processing. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of SharePoint servers to untrusted networks. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous web request patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and input validation controls can provide additional layers of protection. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with techniques involving privilege escalation and command and control communications, making comprehensive security monitoring essential for early detection and response. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar input validation weaknesses in other applications and systems within the organization's infrastructure.