CVE-2024-30044 in SharePoint Server
Summary
by MITRE • 05/14/2024
Microsoft SharePoint Server Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/14/2024
Microsoft SharePoint Server contains a critical remote code execution vulnerability that stems from improper input validation within the web application framework. This flaw exists in the way SharePoint processes certain HTTP requests and handles user-supplied data, creating an opportunity for attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability manifests when the server fails to properly sanitize input parameters passed through web forms, URL endpoints, or API calls, allowing malicious actors to inject and subsequently execute harmful code within the server environment. According to CWE-20, this represents a classic input validation weakness where insufficient sanitization of user-provided data creates a pathway for code injection attacks. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of SharePoint Server including 2016, 2019, and 2021 editions, with the attack surface expanding due to the widespread deployment of these platforms in enterprise environments. Security researchers have identified that the flaw can be exploited through crafted HTTP requests that bypass authentication mechanisms, leveraging the server's trust in legitimate user sessions to execute malicious payloads.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise and data exfiltration capabilities. Attackers can leverage this weakness to establish persistent access, deploy additional malware, or conduct lateral movement within network perimeters where SharePoint servers reside. The vulnerability enables attackers to manipulate the underlying application logic and potentially gain elevated privileges, especially when SharePoint is integrated with other Microsoft technologies such as Active Directory or SQL Server components. This creates cascading security risks where a single compromised SharePoint instance can serve as a foothold for broader enterprise attacks. Organizations utilizing SharePoint for document management, collaboration platforms, or intranet solutions face significant exposure since these systems often contain sensitive business data and serve as critical communication hubs within corporate networks. The attack vector typically involves sending specially crafted requests that trigger the vulnerable code path, potentially allowing remote attackers to execute commands with the privileges of the SharePoint application pool identity.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected SharePoint Server installations through Microsoft's security updates, which address the underlying input validation flaws in the web processing components. Organizations should implement network segmentation and firewall rules to restrict access to SharePoint servers from untrusted networks, while also deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious HTTP traffic patterns. The principle of least privilege must be enforced by ensuring SharePoint applications run with minimal required permissions and that user accounts have restricted access rights within the system. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any custom code or third-party solutions integrated with SharePoint that might exacerbate the risk. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls, enabling detailed logging and monitoring of SharePoint server activities, and establishing incident response procedures specifically for SharePoint-related security events. Organizations should also consider disabling unnecessary features and services within SharePoint to reduce the attack surface, while maintaining regular security assessments to identify potential exploitation attempts. According to ATT&CK framework technique T1059, adversaries often leverage remote code execution vulnerabilities to establish persistent access, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous when combined with other attack techniques such as credential theft or privilege escalation. The complexity of SharePoint environments increases the challenge for defenders, as the platform's extensive feature set and integration capabilities create multiple potential entry points for attackers seeking to exploit this class of vulnerability.