CVE-2018-8580 in SharePoint Enterprise Server
Summary
by MITRE
An information disclosure vulnerability exists where certain modes of the search function in Microsoft SharePoint Server are vulnerable to cross-site search attacks (a variant of cross-site request forgery, CSRF), aka "Microsoft SharePoint Information Disclosure Vulnerability." This affects Microsoft SharePoint.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/18/2023
The vulnerability described in CVE-2018-8580 represents a critical information disclosure weakness within Microsoft SharePoint Server that stems from improper validation of search function parameters. This flaw allows attackers to exploit specific search modes to gain unauthorized access to information that should remain restricted, effectively enabling cross-site search attacks that operate similarly to cross-site request forgery mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically impacts the search functionality of SharePoint Server, where certain operational modes fail to properly authenticate and validate requests, creating opportunities for malicious actors to extract sensitive data through crafted search queries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the search function's handling of user inputs and session validation processes within SharePoint Server's web interface. When users interact with specific search modes, the system does not adequately verify the authenticity of the search requests or maintain proper access controls, allowing attackers to manipulate search parameters to access content they should not be authorized to view. This weakness falls under the CWE-200 category of "Information Disclosure" and can be classified as a variant of CSRF attacks where the malicious behavior occurs through search functionality rather than traditional request manipulation. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation and insufficient access control mechanisms that permit unauthorized data retrieval.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-8580 extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially compromise entire SharePoint environments and the sensitive data they contain. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to access confidential documents, user information, internal resources, and other protected content that should remain hidden from unauthorized users. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it leverages legitimate search functionality that administrators typically do not monitor closely for malicious use. This vulnerability can result in data breaches, compliance violations, and significant reputational damage to organizations relying on SharePoint for their collaboration and document management needs. The impact aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for Data from Information Repositories, where adversaries extract data from search interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of Microsoft security patches and updates to address the specific search function flaws in SharePoint Server. Organizations should also implement additional access controls and monitoring for search activities, particularly focusing on unusual search patterns or queries that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and proper authentication mechanisms should be enforced to limit the potential impact of any successful exploitation. Security teams should conduct thorough assessments of their SharePoint environments to identify any other potentially vulnerable search modes or functions, and implement logging and alerting for unusual search behavior. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and access control enforcement in web applications, aligning with security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks.