CVE-2019-1032 in SharePoint Server
Summary
by MITRE
A cross-site-scripting (XSS) vulnerability exists when Microsoft SharePoint Server does not properly sanitize a specially crafted web request to an affected SharePoint server, aka 'Microsoft Office SharePoint XSS Vulnerability'. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2019-1031, CVE-2019-1033, CVE-2019-1036.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/21/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2019-1032 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Microsoft SharePoint Server that allows attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of a victim's browser session. This weakness specifically manifests when the SharePoint server fails to adequately sanitize web requests containing malicious input, creating an environment where unauthorized code can be injected and executed. The vulnerability affects Microsoft Office SharePoint Server versions that do not properly validate and filter user-supplied input before processing web requests, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where SharePoint servers host sensitive corporate data and facilitate collaborative workspaces.
From a technical perspective, the flaw stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the SharePoint server's request processing pipeline. When a malicious user submits a crafted web request containing script tags or other malicious payloads, the server fails to properly sanitize this input before rendering it in web responses. This allows attackers to inject HTML or JavaScript code that executes in the context of other users' browsers who view the affected pages. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically targets the server-side processing of web requests without proper security controls to prevent malicious input from being rendered as part of the web content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, data theft, privilege escalation, and lateral movement within the network. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can steal session cookies, access sensitive documents and data, modify content, or even escalate privileges to gain administrative access to the SharePoint server. The implications are particularly severe in enterprise environments where SharePoint servers often serve as central collaboration platforms hosting confidential business information, employee data, and proprietary intellectual property. This vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including phishing emails, compromised websites, or direct exploitation of vulnerable SharePoint instances.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability, beginning with applying Microsoft's security patches and updates as soon as they become available. The mitigation strategy should include enabling proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms, implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests, and conducting regular security assessments of SharePoint environments. Additionally, organizations should enforce strict access controls, implement security awareness training for users, and establish monitoring procedures to detect suspicious activities. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a significant concern under the ATT&CK framework's web application attacks category. Security teams should also consider implementing content security policies and regular vulnerability scanning to identify and remediate similar issues across their SharePoint infrastructure.