CVE-2022-44690 in SharePoint Server
Summary
by MITRE • 12/13/2022
Microsoft SharePoint Server Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2022-44693.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/08/2023
Microsoft SharePoint Server contains a remote code execution vulnerability that arises from improper validation of user-supplied input within the web application framework. This flaw exists in the way SharePoint processes certain HTTP requests and handles specific parameter values, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code on the affected server with the privileges of the SharePoint service account. The vulnerability stems from a lack of proper input sanitization and validation mechanisms that should prevent malicious payloads from being processed through the application's request handling pipeline. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specially formatted requests that bypass normal security controls and inject malicious code into the server environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a classic injection attack vector where unvalidated input parameters are directly processed without adequate sanitization or encoding. This allows threat actors to manipulate the application's behavior through crafted HTTP requests that can trigger code execution. The flaw specifically affects SharePoint Server versions that implement certain web processing components, with the vulnerability being particularly dangerous due to the privileged context in which SharePoint typically operates. The attack surface is expanded by the fact that SharePoint servers often have access to internal network resources and corporate data repositories, making successful exploitation potentially devastating for enterprise environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass potential lateral movement within corporate networks and data exfiltration capabilities. Once an attacker gains remote code execution privileges, they can establish persistent access, escalate privileges further, and potentially move laterally to other systems within the organization. This vulnerability aligns with attack patterns documented in the mitre ATT&CK framework under the execution and privilege escalation domains, where attackers leverage application flaws to gain unauthorized access to systems. Organizations running SharePoint Server are particularly at risk since these applications often serve as central collaboration platforms with extensive access to business-critical information and network resources.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate deployment of Microsoft security patches and updates, along with network segmentation to limit access to SharePoint servers. Organizations should implement web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious requests, and establish strict input validation policies for all user-supplied data. Security teams should also conduct thorough network monitoring to detect anomalous behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability maps to CWE-74 in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, which describes "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component." Additionally, organizations should review their access controls and privilege management policies to ensure that SharePoint service accounts operate with minimal necessary permissions, reducing the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.