CVE-2020-16944

What it is

<p>This vulnerability is caused when SharePoint Server does not properly sanitize a specially crafted request to an affected SharePoint server.</p> <p>An authenticated attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a specially crafted request to an affected SharePoint server. The attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could then perform cross-site scripting attacks on affected systems and run script in the security context of the current user. These attacks could allow the attacker to read content that the attacker is not authorized to read, use the victim's identity to take actions on the SharePoint site on behalf of the victim, such as change permissions, delete content, steal sensitive information (such as browser cookies) and inject malicious content in the browser of the victim.</p> <p>For this vulnerability to be exploited, a user must click a specially crafted URL that takes the user to a targeted SharePoint Web App site.</p> <p>In an email attack scenario, an attacker could exploit the vulnerability by sending an email message containing the specially crafted URL to the user of the targeted SharePoint Web App site and convincing the user to click the specially crafted URL.</p> <p>In a web-based attack scenario, an attacker would have to host a website that contains a specially crafted URL to the targeted SharePoint Web App site that is used to attempt to exploit these vulnerabilities. In addition, compromised websites and websites that accept or host user-provided content could contain specially crafted content that could exploit the vulnerability. An attacker would have no way to force users to visit a specially crafted website. Instead, an attacker would have to convince them to visit the website, typically by getting them to click a link in an instant messenger or email message that takes them to the attacker's website, and then convince them to click the specially crafted URL.</p> <p>The security update addresses the vulnerability by helping to ensure that SharePoint Server properly sanitizes user web requests.</p>

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited over the network with a low-privilege account, but needs a user to act. High risk of data exposure, data tampering.

Exploit odds

1.8% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

1. 2020-10-16 23:15 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-06-17 02:58 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 1.8% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 8.7 HIGH (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published

2020-10-16 23:15 UTC

Last modified

2026-06-17 02:58 UTC

Exploit probability

1.8% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-79 · Cross-site scripting

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Microsoft Sharepoint Enterprise Server 2016
• Microsoft Sharepoint Foundation 2013
• Microsoft Sharepoint Server 2019

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 8.7

Attack vector

Network

Complexity

Low

Privileges needed

Low

User interaction

Required

Scope

Changed

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

Availability

None

Is it in your code?

Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.

Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2020-16944.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2020-16944. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

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