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MediumCISA KEVExploited in the wildPublic exploit

Microsoft SharePoint Server improper authentication spoofing vulnerability (ToolShell component)

IdentifiersCVE-2025-49706CWE-287· Improper Authentication

CVE-2025-49706 is an improper authentication flaw in on-premises Microsoft Office SharePoint / SharePoint Server that allows network-based spoofing and authentication bypass. The provided content identifies the vulnerable logic in the PostAuthenticateRequestHandler method of Microsoft.SharePoint.dll. A logic bug allows a request to bypass authentication checks when the HTTP Referrer header is set to one of the SharePoint sign-out paths, specifically /_layouts/SignOut.aspx, /_layouts/14/SignOut.aspx, or /_layouts/15/SignOut.aspx, using case-insensitive comparison. The flaw was abused as part of the publicly named ToolShell exploit chain, typically in conjunction with CVE-2025-49704, by sending crafted requests to the SharePoint ToolPane endpoint (for example /_layouts/15/ToolPane.aspx). The original July 2025 fix was later reported to be bypassable via path manipulation, leading Microsoft to issue a related follow-on fix under CVE-2025-53771.

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ANALYST BRIEF

Impact, mitigation & remediation

What it means. What to do now. Patch path, mitigations, and the assume-compromise checklist.

Impact

What an attacker gets, and what they’ve been doing with it.

On its own, the vulnerability enables spoofing/authentication bypass against affected on-premises SharePoint servers. In observed intrusions, attackers used it to impersonate an authenticated context and reach functionality that should require authentication. When chained with CVE-2025-49704 and later related variants, it enabled initial access and unauthenticated remote code execution against internet-facing SharePoint servers. Real-world impact described in the content includes deployment of ASPX web shells, theft of SharePoint ASP.NET MachineKey material, bypass of MFA/SSO protections, access to SharePoint file systems and connected services, credential theft, lateral movement, persistence, data exfiltration, and in some cases ransomware deployment such as Warlock.

Mitigation

If you can’t patch tonight, do this now.

If immediate patching is not possible, remove or restrict internet exposure of on-premises SharePoint servers, including temporarily disconnecting exposed systems from the internet. Assume compromise for exposed vulnerable servers during the active exploitation window and perform incident response actions. Rotate SharePoint ASP.NET machine keys/cryptographic material, restart IIS after remediation steps where Microsoft guidance requires it, enable AMSI in Full Mode with Defender Antivirus where supported, audit for web shells such as spinstall0.aspx and variants, review authentication anomalies and suspicious POST requests to /_layouts/15/ToolPane.aspx, and investigate for persistence, credential theft, and lateral movement.

Remediation

Patch, then assume compromise.

Apply Microsoft security updates for the affected on-premises SharePoint versions that address CVE-2025-49706 and the later bypass/follow-on issues, including the comprehensive updates that also cover CVE-2025-53771. Because the initial July 8, 2025 fix for CVE-2025-49706 was reported to be bypassable, organizations should ensure they have the later comprehensive fixes rather than relying only on the original patch level. Follow Microsoft guidance for supported SharePoint Server versions, including SharePoint Server Subscription Edition, SharePoint Server 2019, and SharePoint Server 2016 as applicable.
PUBLIC EXPLOITS

Exploits

No valid public exploits. Mallory filtered out 2 candidates as fakes, detection scripts, or README-only repos.

VALID 0 / 2 TOTALView more in app

All candidate exploits were filtered out by Mallory's validation.

EXPOSURE SURFACE

Affected products & vendors

Products and vendors Mallory has correlated with this vulnerability. Open in Mallory to drill down to specific CPE configurations and version ranges.

VendorProductType
Microsoft CorporationSharepoint Enterprise Serverapplication
Microsoft CorporationSharepoint Serverapplication
Microsoft CorporationSharepoint Server 2016application
Microsoft CorporationSharepoint Server 2019application

Vendor-confirmed product mapping. Mallory continuously reconciles this list against your asset inventory.

What this page doesn’t show

The version that knows your environment.

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Exposure mapping

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Threat actor evidence29

Every observed campaign linking this CVE to a named adversary.

Associated malware28

Malware families riding this exploit, with evidence and IOCs.

Detection signatures1

YARA, Sigma, Snort, and vendor rules, auto-deployed to your SIEM.

Vendor-by-vendor mapping

Cross-references every affected SKU, including bundled OEM variants.

Social activity116

Community discussion across Reddit, Mastodon, and other social sources.