CVE-2020-1105 in SharePoint Enterprise Server
Summary
by MITRE
A spoofing vulnerability exists when Microsoft SharePoint Server does not properly sanitize a specially crafted web request to an affected SharePoint server, aka 'Microsoft SharePoint Spoofing Vulnerability'. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2020-1104, CVE-2020-1107.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/17/2020
The Microsoft SharePoint Server spoofing vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-1105 represents a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of web request processing within SharePoint environments. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly handle maliciously crafted web requests. The flaw specifically affects Microsoft SharePoint Server implementations where the system does not adequately sanitize user-supplied data during web request processing, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate server behavior through carefully constructed malicious inputs.
This security weakness operates at the application layer and manifests when SharePoint Server receives web requests containing specially crafted payloads that exploit improper sanitization routines. The vulnerability allows attackers to potentially bypass authentication mechanisms and manipulate server responses through request manipulation techniques. The flaw is particularly concerning because it can be leveraged to conduct various malicious activities including unauthorized access to sensitive information, privilege escalation, and potential lateral movement within affected networks. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data exposure as it can enable attackers to manipulate SharePoint server behavior in ways that compromise the entire platform's security posture.
From an operational standpoint, CVE-2020-1105 poses significant risks to organizations relying on SharePoint Server for collaboration and document management services. The vulnerability can be exploited by remote attackers without requiring authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous in environments where SharePoint servers are exposed to untrusted networks. Attackers can leverage this flaw to manipulate server responses, potentially redirecting users to malicious sites or injecting malicious content into SharePoint pages. The vulnerability's exploitation can result in data leakage, unauthorized access to confidential documents, and potential compromise of entire SharePoint farms. Security monitoring becomes challenging as malicious activities may appear as legitimate user behavior due to the spoofing nature of the attack.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2020-1105. Immediate remediation efforts should focus on applying Microsoft security patches and updates released in response to this vulnerability. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure of SharePoint servers to untrusted networks. Input validation should be enhanced at multiple points within the SharePoint architecture to prevent malicious payloads from reaching core processing components. Security monitoring solutions should be configured to detect anomalous request patterns and unusual server behavior that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which describes cross-site scripting flaws, and can be mapped to ATT&CK techniques involving credential access and defense evasion. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify potential exploitation vectors and ensure proper implementation of security controls. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and additional monitoring solutions to detect and prevent exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability.