CVE-2017-8551 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Microsoft SharePoint XSS vulnerability allows for an elevation of privilege due to inadequate sanitization of customized requests.

Understanding CVE-2017-8551

This CVE involves an elevation of privilege vulnerability in Microsoft SharePoint software.

What is CVE-2017-8551?

This vulnerability arises from the insufficient sanitization of customized requests in Microsoft SharePoint, leading to an elevation of privilege.

The Impact of CVE-2017-8551

The presence of this vulnerability can allow attackers to elevate their privileges within the SharePoint environment, potentially leading to unauthorized access and control.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-8551

This section provides more technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability occurs due to the failure of Microsoft SharePoint software to properly sanitize specially crafted requests, enabling attackers to exploit the system.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Microsoft SharePoint
Vendor: Microsoft Corporation
Affected Version: Microsoft Project Server 2013 Service Pack 1

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by submitting malicious requests to the SharePoint software, taking advantage of the lack of proper sanitization.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2017-8551 is crucial to maintaining security.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches provided by Microsoft promptly.
Implement strict input validation mechanisms to prevent malicious requests.
Monitor and restrict user permissions to minimize the risk of privilege escalation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch Microsoft SharePoint software to address known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security training for users to raise awareness of potential threats and best practices.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for security updates and patches released by Microsoft to address vulnerabilities like CVE-2017-8551.