CVE-2018-0921 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

An elevation of privilege vulnerability has been discovered in Microsoft SharePoint Enterprise Server 2016, allowing specially crafted web requests to bypass sanitization.

Understanding CVE-2018-0921

What is CVE-2018-0921?

This CVE refers to an elevation of privilege vulnerability in Microsoft SharePoint Enterprise Server 2016, where certain web requests are not properly sanitized, enabling attackers to elevate their privileges.

The Impact of CVE-2018-0921

This vulnerability can be exploited by malicious actors to gain elevated privileges within the SharePoint environment, potentially leading to unauthorized access and control over sensitive data.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-0921

Vulnerability Description

Type: Elevation of Privilege
Affected Product: Microsoft SharePoint
Vendor: Microsoft Corporation
Version: Microsoft SharePoint Enterprise Server 2016

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts:

Microsoft SharePoint Enterprise Server 2016

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted web requests that are not properly sanitized, allowing them to escalate their privileges within the SharePoint environment.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the latest security updates provided by Microsoft for Microsoft SharePoint Enterprise Server 2016.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity that could indicate exploitation attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all software and systems to prevent known vulnerabilities.
Implement strong access controls and least privilege principles to limit the impact of potential privilege escalation attacks.
Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address security weaknesses.

Patching and Updates

It is crucial to install the security patches released by Microsoft to address the elevation of privilege vulnerability in Microsoft SharePoint Enterprise Server 2016.