CVE-2024-32987 is a Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) vulnerability classified under CWE-918, affecting Microsoft SharePoint Enterprise Server 2016 version 16.0.0. SSRF vulnerabilities occur when an attacker can abuse a server functionality to make HTTP requests to arbitrary domains or internal systems, potentially bypassing network access controls. In this case, the vulnerability allows unauthenticated remote attackers to coerce the SharePoint server into sending crafted requests, which can lead to information disclosure. The vulnerability specifically impacts confidentiality by exposing sensitive internal data or metadata that should not be accessible externally. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 indicates a high severity, with attack vector being network-based (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), and no user interaction (UI:N). The scope is unchanged (S:U), and the impact is high on confidentiality (C:H) but none on integrity (I:N) or availability (A:N). The exploitability is straightforward due to lack of authentication and user interaction requirements. Although no public exploits are currently known, the vulnerability poses a significant risk to organizations running the affected SharePoint version, especially those exposing SharePoint servers to untrusted networks. The absence of patch links suggests that a fix may be forthcoming or pending deployment. The vulnerability was reserved in April 2024 and published in July 2024, indicating recent discovery and disclosure.

For European organizations, this SSRF vulnerability in SharePoint 2016 can lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive internal information, including potentially confidential documents, internal network details, or metadata. This can facilitate further attacks such as internal reconnaissance, lateral movement, or targeted data exfiltration. Given SharePoint's widespread use in enterprise collaboration and document management, the confidentiality breach could affect intellectual property, personal data protected under GDPR, and critical business information. The vulnerability does not directly affect system integrity or availability, but the information disclosure alone can have severe compliance and reputational consequences. Organizations with SharePoint servers accessible from the internet or less segmented internal networks are at higher risk. The lack of authentication requirement and ease of exploitation increase the threat level, making it attractive for attackers seeking to gain initial footholds or gather intelligence. The impact is particularly critical for sectors handling sensitive data such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure within Europe.

1. Apply security patches from Microsoft as soon as they are released for SharePoint Enterprise Server 2016 to remediate the vulnerability. 2. Until patches are available, restrict external access to SharePoint servers by implementing strict firewall rules and network segmentation to limit exposure to untrusted networks. 3. Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious SSRF patterns or anomalous outbound requests originating from SharePoint servers. 4. Monitor network traffic logs for unusual outbound requests from SharePoint servers to internal or external resources that could indicate exploitation attempts. 5. Review and harden SharePoint configurations to minimize unnecessary services or features that could be leveraged in SSRF attacks. 6. Conduct internal vulnerability scans and penetration tests focusing on SSRF vectors to identify and mitigate similar weaknesses. 7. Educate IT and security teams about SSRF risks and encourage rapid incident response readiness. 8. Implement strict access controls and least privilege principles for SharePoint administrative accounts to reduce potential damage if exploitation occurs.