CVE-2012-4396 in ownCloud
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in ownCloud before 4.0.2 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) file names to apps/user_ldap/settings.php; (2) url or (3) title parameter to apps/bookmarks/ajax/editBookmark.php; (4) tag or (5) page parameter to apps/bookmarks/ajax/updateList.php; (6) identity to apps/user_openid/settings.php; (7) stack name in apps/gallery/lib/tiles.php; (8) root parameter to apps/gallery/templates/index.php; (9) calendar displayname in apps/calendar/templates/part.import.php; (10) calendar uri in apps/calendar/templates/part.choosecalendar.rowfields.php; (11) title, (12) location, or (13) description parameter in apps/calendar/lib/object.php; (14) certain vectors in core/js/multiselect.js; or (15) artist, (16) album, or (17) title comments parameter in apps/media/lib_scanner.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/31/2025
The CVE-2012-4396 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting ownCloud versions prior to 4.0.2, exposing multiple attack vectors across various application components. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the web application's core functionality and third-party modules. The flaw allows remote attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of a victim's browser, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or unauthorized actions within the application environment.
Multiple attack surfaces exist within the ownCloud platform, each presenting distinct pathways for XSS exploitation. The vulnerability affects file name handling in apps/user_ldap/settings.php where unfiltered input can be injected into the application's settings interface. Similarly, the bookmarks application presents several entry points through ajax endpoints where parameters including url, title, tag, and page can be manipulated to inject malicious content. The gallery application contains vulnerabilities in both lib/tiles.php and templates/index.php where stack names and root parameters respectively can be exploited.
Calendar functionality introduces additional attack vectors through part.import.php and part.choosecalendar.rowfields.php where displayname, uri, and other calendar-related parameters can be manipulated. The calendar library object in apps/calendar/lib/object.php contains multiple parameters including title, location, and description that can be exploited for script injection. The media application adds further risk through lib_scanner.php where artist, album, and title comments parameters can be leveraged for XSS attacks. Core javascript functionality in multiselect.js also presents a vector through certain input handling mechanisms.
These vulnerabilities align with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting weaknesses in web applications, and map to ATT&CK technique T1203, focusing on exploiting web application vulnerabilities for remote code execution. The impact extends beyond simple script injection as attackers can leverage these vectors to establish persistent access, harvest user credentials, or manipulate application data. The widespread nature of affected components suggests a systemic issue in input validation practices across the platform's architecture.
The operational implications are severe as successful exploitation could allow attackers to impersonate legitimate users, access sensitive data, or modify application configuration. Organizations relying on vulnerable ownCloud installations face potential data breaches, compliance violations, and reputational damage. The vulnerability's presence across authentication, file management, calendar, and media handling components indicates a comprehensive security gap requiring immediate remediation. Patch management becomes critical for organizations with affected installations, as the attack surface spans core application functionality and user-facing interfaces.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching to version 4.0.2 or later, implementing comprehensive input validation at all application entry points, and establishing robust output encoding mechanisms for dynamic content. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls, conducting regular security assessments, and establishing proper input sanitization practices. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security controls and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against common web application flaws. Security teams should prioritize monitoring for exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures for potential breach scenarios.