CVE-2025-47172: Microsoft SharePoint Server SQLi Vulnerability

CVE-2025-47172 Overview

CVE-2025-47172 is a SQL Injection vulnerability affecting Microsoft Office SharePoint that allows an authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code over a network. The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands (CWE-89), enabling attackers with valid credentials to manipulate database queries and potentially gain full control over the affected SharePoint environment.

Critical Impact

Authenticated attackers can exploit this SQL injection flaw to execute malicious code remotely, potentially compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability of SharePoint deployments and underlying data stores.

Affected Products

• Microsoft SharePoint Enterprise Server 2016
• Microsoft SharePoint Server 2019
• Microsoft SharePoint Server Subscription Edition

Discovery Timeline

• June 10, 2025 - CVE-2025-47172 published to NVD
• July 9, 2025 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-47172

Vulnerability Analysis

This SQL Injection vulnerability exists within Microsoft SharePoint's handling of user-supplied input in SQL queries. When an authenticated user submits specially crafted input containing malicious SQL elements, the application fails to properly sanitize or parameterize these elements before incorporating them into database queries. This allows attackers to break out of the intended query context and execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database.

The vulnerability requires low-privilege authenticated access to exploit, meaning an attacker must first obtain valid credentials to the SharePoint environment. However, once authenticated, no user interaction is required to exploit the flaw. Successful exploitation can lead to complete compromise of data confidentiality, integrity, and system availability.

Root Cause

The root cause is classified as CWE-89: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command. SharePoint components fail to properly validate, sanitize, or parameterize user-controlled input before constructing SQL queries. This allows attackers to inject malicious SQL syntax that alters the intended query logic, enabling unauthorized data access, modification, or execution of stored procedures that could lead to code execution.

Attack Vector

The attack is network-based and requires the attacker to have authenticated access to the SharePoint environment. The exploitation flow involves:

1. An attacker obtains valid credentials to the target SharePoint deployment
2. The attacker identifies input fields or API endpoints that process user data in SQL queries
3. Malicious SQL payloads are crafted to escape the intended query context
4. The injected SQL commands are executed with the database privileges of the SharePoint application
5. Depending on database configuration and privileges, this can escalate to operating system command execution via features like xp_cmdshell or similar mechanisms

The vulnerability does not require special privileges beyond basic authenticated access, and exploitation does not depend on user interaction, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where SharePoint is widely deployed.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-47172

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual or malformed HTTP requests to SharePoint endpoints containing SQL metacharacters such as single quotes, double dashes, semicolons, or UNION keywords
• Database error messages appearing in application logs or responses indicating SQL syntax errors
• Unexpected database queries or stored procedure executions in SQL Server audit logs
• Anomalous data access patterns or bulk data retrieval from SharePoint content databases

Detection Strategies

• Deploy Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block common SQL injection patterns targeting SharePoint endpoints
• Enable and monitor SQL Server audit logging for suspicious query patterns, especially those containing typical injection signatures
• Implement application-layer monitoring to detect requests with encoded or obfuscated SQL injection payloads
• Configure IIS logging to capture full request URIs and POST bodies for forensic analysis

Monitoring Recommendations

• Monitor SharePoint ULS logs for database connectivity errors or unexpected SQL exceptions
• Establish baseline query patterns and alert on deviations that may indicate injection attempts
• Enable Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and configure alerting for suspicious SharePoint process behavior
• Review SQL Server security audit events (Event ID 33205) for failed login attempts or permission violations

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-47172

Immediate Actions Required

• Apply the latest Microsoft security updates for all affected SharePoint Server versions immediately
• Review and restrict SharePoint site collection permissions to minimize the attack surface from authenticated users
• Implement network segmentation to limit access to SharePoint servers from untrusted network segments
• Enable enhanced SQL Server auditing to detect potential exploitation attempts

Patch Information

Microsoft has released security updates to address CVE-2025-47172. Administrators should consult the Microsoft Security Response Center advisory for detailed patching guidance specific to their SharePoint version. Ensure all SharePoint components including language packs and service applications are updated to the patched versions.

For SharePoint Server Subscription Edition, apply the latest cumulative update. For SharePoint Server 2019 and SharePoint Enterprise Server 2016, apply the corresponding security update packages released by Microsoft.

Workarounds

• Implement strict input validation at the application perimeter using WAF rules to filter SQL injection patterns
• Restrict database user permissions used by SharePoint to the minimum required privileges, avoiding db_owner or sysadmin roles where possible
• Consider temporarily restricting access to affected SharePoint functionality for non-essential users until patches are applied
• Enable SQL Server Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) and Always Encrypted to limit data exposure in case of successful exploitation

# Example: Enable SQL Server Audit for SharePoint Database
# Run in SQL Server Management Studio or via sqlcmd

# Create server audit
CREATE SERVER AUDIT SharePointSecurityAudit
TO FILE (FILEPATH = 'C:\SQLAudit\')
WITH (ON_FAILURE = CONTINUE);

# Enable the audit
ALTER SERVER AUDIT SharePointSecurityAudit
WITH (STATE = ON);

# Create database audit specification for SharePoint content database
USE [WSS_Content]
CREATE DATABASE AUDIT SPECIFICATION SharePointDBSpec
FOR SERVER AUDIT SharePointSecurityAudit
ADD (SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE ON DATABASE::WSS_Content BY public);

ALTER DATABASE AUDIT SPECIFICATION SharePointDBSpec
WITH (STATE = ON);