CVE-2020-1595 : What You Need to Know

Microsoft SharePoint Remote Code Execution Vulnerability was published on September 8, 2020, with a base severity score of 9.9.

Understanding CVE-2020-1595

A Remote Code Execution vulnerability in Microsoft SharePoint exposed systems to arbitrary code execution, posing critical risks to organizations.

What is CVE-2020-1595?

The vulnerability in Microsoft SharePoint allowed attackers to exploit APIs with unsafe input, executing code in the SharePoint application pool and server farm account.
Successful exploitation required user interaction with vulnerable APIs in affected SharePoint versions.
The security update addresses the flaw by enhancing data input handling in SharePoint.

The Impact of CVE-2020-1595

Type: Remote Code Execution
Severity: Critical (CVSS Base Score: 9.9)
Attack Vector: Network
Attack Complexity: Low
Privileges Required: Low
User Interaction: None
Scope: Changed
Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability Impact: High
Exploitability: Proof of Concept Code

Technical Details of CVE-2020-1595

This section delves into the technical aspects of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw allowed attackers to execute arbitrary code within the SharePoint environment through unsafe data input on APIs.

Affected Systems and Versions

Microsoft SharePoint Enterprise Server 2016 (Version 16.0.0)
Microsoft SharePoint Enterprise Server 2013 Service Pack 1 (Version 15.0.0)
Microsoft SharePoint Server 2019 (Version 16.0.0)
Microsoft SharePoint Foundation 2013 Service Pack 1 (Version 15.0.0)
Platforms: x64-based Systems

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting the vulnerability required user interaction with specific APIs on affected SharePoint versions.
Attackers needed to input specially-crafted data to trigger the execution of arbitrary code.

Mitigation and Prevention

Employing security measures is crucial to prevent exploitation of vulnerabilities.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the latest security update from Microsoft to patch the vulnerability in SharePoint.
Restrict access to vulnerable APIs and monitor for any abnormal activity.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch SharePoint installations to mitigate emerging threats.
Conduct security training to educate users on safe practices when interacting with SharePoint services.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and ensure timely installation to protect SharePoint environments from known vulnerabilities.