CVE-2020-1514 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

On September 8, 2020, Microsoft published a security advisory regarding a cross-site-scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Microsoft Office SharePoint servers.

Understanding CVE-2020-1514

What is CVE-2020-1514?

A cross-site-scripting vulnerability in Microsoft SharePoint Server could allow an authenticated attacker to execute malicious scripts on affected systems, compromising user security.

The Impact of CVE-2020-1514

The vulnerability could enable attackers to read unauthorized content, manipulate the permissions within SharePoint, and inject malicious content into user browsers.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-1514

Vulnerability Description

The XSS vulnerability stems from the improper sanitization of web requests, enabling attackers to execute scripts on SharePoint servers.

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)

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted requests to affected SharePoint servers, executing malicious scripts in the security context of the current user.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the security update provided by Microsoft to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor and review user permissions within SharePoint to prevent unauthorized access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch SharePoint servers to prevent the exploitation of known vulnerabilities.
Educate users on safe browsing practices to reduce the risk of XSS attacks.
Implement web application firewalls to filter and block malicious web traffic.

Patching and Updates

Microsoft has released a security update addressing the vulnerability by improving the sanitization of web requests.