CVE-2012-5666 in ownCloud
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in bookmarks/js/bookmarks.js in ownCloud 4.0.x before 4.0.10 and 4.5.x before 4.5.5 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the PATH_INFO to apps/bookmark/index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/31/2025
The CVE-2012-5666 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the ownCloud file sharing platform, specifically within the bookmarks application component. This vulnerability affects versions 4.0.x prior to 4.0.10 and 4.5.x prior to 4.5.5, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on this cloud storage solution. The flaw resides in the bookmarks.js file located at bookmarks/js/bookmarks.js, which fails to properly sanitize user input before processing it within the web application context.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the PATH_INFO parameter when accessing the apps/bookmark/index.php endpoint. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that get executed in the context of other users' browsers who visit the compromised bookmarked links. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting in software development practices. The vulnerability enables attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content that executes in the victim's browser, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further exploitation of the compromised user's privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable sophisticated attack vectors within the ownCloud ecosystem. An attacker who successfully exploits this flaw can potentially steal user session cookies, redirect victims to malicious websites, or even execute commands on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability particularly affects collaborative environments where users share bookmarks, as malicious actors can embed harmful scripts within bookmark descriptions or URLs. This creates a persistent threat vector that can compromise multiple users within a single ownCloud deployment, especially in enterprise settings where bookmark sharing is common practice.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-5666 involve immediate patching of affected ownCloud installations to versions 4.0.10 or 4.5.5 and later, which contain the necessary input sanitization fixes. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation mechanisms at multiple layers of their web applications, ensuring that all user-supplied data undergoes proper sanitization before being processed or stored. Network administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious PATH_INFO parameters, while security teams should conduct thorough code reviews focusing on input handling and output encoding practices. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers the use of malicious links or bookmarks as initial access vectors in cyber attacks. Additionally, regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications within the organization's attack surface.