CVE-2020-17060 in SharePoint Server
Summary
by MITRE • 11/11/2020
Microsoft SharePoint Spoofing Vulnerability This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2020-17015, CVE-2020-17016.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/05/2020
The Microsoft SharePoint Spoofing Vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-17060 represents a significant security flaw in the SharePoint Server platform that allows attackers to manipulate user interface elements and potentially deceive users into performing unintended actions. This vulnerability specifically affects SharePoint Server 2016 and SharePoint Server 2019 installations, creating opportunities for malicious actors to exploit the spoofing capabilities within the web application framework. The flaw resides in how SharePoint handles certain user interface components and validation mechanisms, particularly when rendering content that should be restricted or controlled by the system. This vulnerability is distinct from related issues such as CVE-2020-17015 and CVE-2020-17016, which address different aspects of SharePoint security. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user input and improper handling of web content that can lead to unauthorized modifications of the user interface.
The technical implementation of this spoofing vulnerability occurs through manipulation of SharePoint's rendering engine and user interface components. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specially formatted content or requests that bypass normal validation checks, allowing them to alter how information appears to end users. The flaw specifically impacts how SharePoint processes certain HTML elements and JavaScript components within the user interface, creating opportunities for attackers to inject malicious content or modify existing interface elements. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79, which describes Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) conditions where web applications fail to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied data. The vulnerability enables attackers to create deceptive user experiences that can mislead users about the true nature of web content or actions they are about to perform. The exploitation typically requires minimal privileges and can be executed through web-based attacks that leverage the SharePoint server's web interface.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-17060 extends beyond simple interface manipulation to potentially enable more serious security breaches within SharePoint environments. When successfully exploited, this vulnerability can allow attackers to create fake user interface elements that appear legitimate to users, potentially leading to credential theft, unauthorized access to sensitive information, or redirection to malicious sites. The attack surface is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where SharePoint servers host critical business applications and sensitive data repositories. Organizations may experience unauthorized data access, compromised user trust, and potential escalation of privileges if attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain deeper access to the SharePoint infrastructure. The vulnerability also creates risks for business continuity as it may enable attackers to disrupt normal SharePoint operations or manipulate content in ways that affect business processes. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques such as T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1566.001 (Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment) as attackers can use the spoofing capabilities to create convincing deceptive interfaces that facilitate further exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-17060 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms within SharePoint environments. Microsoft has released security updates and patches specifically addressing this vulnerability, which organizations should deploy immediately to protect their SharePoint servers. Network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact of exploitation by restricting access to SharePoint servers from untrusted networks. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should include evaluation of SharePoint's user interface validation mechanisms to identify potential spoofing vulnerabilities. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous behavior in SharePoint environments, particularly around content modification and user interface changes. Security awareness training for SharePoint administrators and end users can help identify potential spoofing attempts and reduce the effectiveness of social engineering attacks that might leverage this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper web application firewall rules and content security policies can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and following secure coding practices in web application development to prevent similar issues in the future.