CVE-2020-16942 in SharePoint Server
Summary
by MITRE • 10/17/2020
<p>An information disclosure vulnerability exists when Microsoft SharePoint Server improperly discloses its folder structure when rendering specific web pages. An attacker who took advantage of this information disclosure could view the folder path of scripts loaded on the page.</p> <p>To take advantage of the vulnerability, an attacker would require access to the specific SharePoint page affected by this vulnerability.</p> <p>The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how scripts are referenced on some SharePoint pages.</p>
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/25/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-16942 represents an information disclosure weakness within Microsoft SharePoint Server that exposes sensitive folder structure details through improper web page rendering. This flaw falls under the CWE-200 category of "Information Exposure" and specifically manifests when SharePoint servers render certain web pages that contain script references. The vulnerability stems from the improper handling of script paths during page generation, where the server inadvertently reveals directory structures that should remain hidden from unauthorized users. The disclosed information includes folder paths where scripts are loaded, potentially providing attackers with insights into the server's internal file organization and deployment structure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates opportunities for more sophisticated attacks within the SharePoint environment. Attackers who gain access to affected SharePoint pages can map the server's folder structure and identify script locations, which may reveal sensitive deployment patterns and potentially expose other vulnerabilities through path traversal attacks. This information can be leveraged to craft more targeted attacks against the SharePoint infrastructure, particularly when combined with other reconnaissance techniques. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges since it only necessitates access to specific SharePoint pages, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users have varying levels of access rights.
The security update for CVE-2020-16942 addresses this issue by modifying how SharePoint servers reference scripts on affected pages, ensuring that folder paths are properly sanitized during rendering processes. This remediation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) by preventing unauthorized enumeration of server file structures. Organizations should implement this update promptly as part of their patch management protocols, particularly in environments where SharePoint servers host sensitive corporate information. The fix specifically targets the rendering engine's handling of script references, ensuring that internal folder paths are not exposed during page generation. Security teams should also conduct vulnerability assessments to identify any custom SharePoint pages that might be affected by similar issues, as the vulnerability could potentially impact third-party solutions or custom developments that improperly handle script references. The remediation process should include thorough testing to ensure that the update does not introduce regressions in existing SharePoint functionality while effectively mitigating the information disclosure risk.