CVE-2019-1036 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-2019-1032, CVE-2019-1033.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/21/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-1036 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Microsoft SharePoint Server that enables attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. This weakness specifically manifests when the SharePoint server fails to adequately sanitize incoming web requests containing crafted payloads, creating an environment where malicious code can execute within the context of legitimate user sessions. The vulnerability affects Microsoft Office SharePoint Server versions that do not properly validate and sanitize user input before processing web requests, potentially allowing unauthorized code execution and session hijacking. According to the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, this vulnerability maps to CWE-79 which describes "Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')", a fundamental web application security flaw that has been consistently identified as one of the most prevalent security vulnerabilities in web applications. The flaw exists at the input validation layer where SharePoint Server fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data, particularly in areas where web requests are processed and rendered to end users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and privilege escalation within the SharePoint environment. An attacker could craft malicious web requests containing JavaScript payloads that would execute in the browser context of authenticated users, potentially allowing them to access sensitive information, modify content, or even gain administrative privileges if the targeted users possess elevated permissions. The vulnerability's exploitation requires the attacker to successfully deliver a specially crafted web request to a vulnerable SharePoint server, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may encounter malicious links in emails, documents, or web applications that interact with SharePoint services. This type of attack aligns with the tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the 'Initial Access' and 'Execution' phases, specifically targeting the 'Web Application Attack Surface' and 'Command and Scripting Interpreter' techniques. The attack surface is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where SharePoint servers often serve as central collaboration platforms with extensive user access and data storage capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-1036 should prioritize immediate patch management with Microsoft's security updates, which address the input sanitization flaws in SharePoint Server's web request processing mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding measures to prevent malicious scripts from being executed in user contexts, including the deployment of web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious requests containing known XSS patterns. Network segmentation and privilege separation can help limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, while regular security awareness training for users can reduce the likelihood of inadvertently clicking malicious links that could trigger the vulnerability. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers and proper HTTP response headers can provide additional layers of protection against script execution, and regular monitoring of web server logs for suspicious request patterns can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their SharePoint environments to identify other potential entry points and ensure that all related SharePoint components are properly patched and configured according to Microsoft's security recommendations.