CVE-2017-8559 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

An elevation of privilege vulnerability has been discovered in Microsoft Exchange Server versions 2010 SP3, 2013 SP3, 2013 CU16, and 2016 CU5, affecting the handling of web requests by Exchange Outlook Web Access (OWA).

Understanding CVE-2017-8559

What is CVE-2017-8559?

The CVE-2017-8559, also known as the "Microsoft Exchange Cross-Site Scripting Vulnerability," allows attackers to elevate privileges on the affected Exchange Servers.

The Impact of CVE-2017-8559

This vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized access and potential data compromise on the impacted Exchange Servers.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-8559

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises due to the improper handling of web requests by Exchange OWA, enabling attackers to execute arbitrary script code.

Affected Systems and Versions

Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 SP3
Exchange Server 2013 SP3
Exchange Server 2013 CU16
Exchange Server 2016 CU5

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted web requests to the Exchange OWA, leading to privilege escalation.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security updates provided by Microsoft promptly.
Monitor for any unauthorized access or unusual activities on Exchange Servers.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch Exchange Servers to mitigate known vulnerabilities.
Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential breaches.

Patching and Updates

Ensure Exchange Servers are updated with the latest security patches and follow best practices to secure OWA configurations.