CVE-2020-1501 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Microsoft SharePoint Spoofing Vulnerability was published on August 17, 2020 (2020-08-17). This vulnerability affects Microsoft SharePoint Enterprise Server 2016, SharePoint Server 2019, SharePoint Foundation 2013 Service Pack 1, and SharePoint Server 2010 Service Pack 2.

Understanding CVE-2020-1501

This CVE involves a spoofing vulnerability in Microsoft SharePoint Server that could lead to unauthorized actions on affected systems.

What is CVE-2020-1501?

A spoofing vulnerability in Microsoft SharePoint Server could allow an attacker to perform cross-site scripting attacks, access unauthorized content, and execute malicious scripts.

The Impact of CVE-2020-1501

If exploited, this vulnerability could enable an authenticated attacker to manipulate content, change permissions, and execute scripts on SharePoint sites.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-1501

This section delves into the specifics of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from SharePoint Server inadequately sanitizing web requests, opening a window for attackers to send crafted requests and execute unauthorized actions.

Affected Systems and Versions

Microsoft SharePoint Enterprise Server 2016 (Version 16.0.0)
Microsoft SharePoint Server 2019 (Version 16.0.0)
Microsoft SharePoint Foundation 2013 Service Pack 1 (Version 15.0.0)
Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 Service Pack 2 (Version 13.0.0.0)

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers exploit the flaw by submitting specially crafted requests to the vulnerable SharePoint servers, enabling them to execute cross-site scripting attacks and manipulate user actions.

Mitigation and Prevention

Preventive measures and actions to secure systems from CVE-2020-1501.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the security update provided by Microsoft promptly to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor SharePoint server activity for suspicious behavior and unauthorized access.
Educate users on identifying and reporting phishing attempts or suspicious requests.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch SharePoint servers to address security flaws and enhance system defenses.
Implement strict access controls to limit user permissions and prevent unauthorized actions.
Conduct security audits and penetration testing to identify and address potential vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and updates from Microsoft for any new patches related to SharePoint vulnerabilities.