CVE-2024-38024 in SharePoint Server
Summary
by MITRE • 07/09/2024
Microsoft SharePoint Server Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2026
Microsoft SharePoint Server contains a critical remote code execution vulnerability that arises from improper input validation in the web application's handling of user-supplied data. This flaw exists in the server-side processing of specific HTTP requests and allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system with the privileges of the SharePoint service account. The vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of input parameters that are processed within the SharePoint framework's rendering engine, creating an avenue for malicious payload injection through crafted HTTP requests. Security researchers have identified that the issue manifests when the application processes specially crafted XML data or malformed URL parameters that bypass normal validation checks. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited without authentication, making it a prime target for automated exploitation campaigns. According to CWE-79, this vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw that has been extended to enable remote code execution through server-side processing. The attack surface includes SharePoint's document library functionality, web part rendering capabilities, and various API endpoints that handle user input. Organizations running SharePoint Server 2016, 2019, and SharePoint Online are potentially at risk, with the vulnerability allowing attackers to establish persistent backdoors, escalate privileges, and access sensitive organizational data. The exploitation process typically involves crafting malicious HTTP requests that trigger the vulnerable code path, followed by the execution of malicious payloads that can be delivered through various means including file uploads or direct code injection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise and data exfiltration capabilities. Attackers can leverage the vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to SharePoint's underlying database systems, potentially exposing sensitive corporate information including intellectual property, financial records, and personal employee data. The compromised system can serve as a staging ground for further attacks within the network infrastructure, enabling lateral movement and privilege escalation to other systems. Security professionals have observed that the vulnerability can be chained with other exploits to create more sophisticated attack vectors, particularly when combined with credential harvesting techniques or other SharePoint-specific flaws. The affected environment may experience performance degradation as malicious processes consume system resources, and the attack can remain undetected for extended periods due to the legitimate nature of the exploited functionality. Organizations may face regulatory compliance issues and potential legal consequences if sensitive data is accessed or exfiltrated through this vulnerability. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059 for command and script interpreter and T1078 for valid accounts, as attackers can use legitimate SharePoint service accounts to maintain persistence. Additionally, the vulnerability enables T1566 for credential access through spearphishing and T1499 for data destruction if attackers choose to exploit the compromised system for malicious purposes.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected SharePoint installations with the latest security updates from Microsoft. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to SharePoint servers and restrict outbound connections from the affected systems. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in SharePoint traffic, particularly around document library access and API endpoint usage. Input validation controls should be strengthened at the application level, implementing proper sanitization of all user-supplied data before processing. Access controls must be reviewed and tightened, ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to SharePoint administrative functions. Security teams should implement regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing to identify potential exploitation attempts. The principle of least privilege should be enforced, limiting the permissions of SharePoint service accounts and ensuring they operate with minimal required privileges. Network-based intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for known exploit signatures and anomalous behavior patterns associated with this vulnerability. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized executable files from running on SharePoint servers. Regular security awareness training should be provided to users to recognize potential phishing attempts that could lead to exploitation of this vulnerability. Microsoft recommends that administrators monitor for suspicious activities in SharePoint logs and implement additional security layers including web application firewalls and advanced threat protection solutions. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of patches in non-production environments before deployment to ensure compatibility with existing SharePoint configurations and custom applications.