CVE-2013-0203 in ownCloud
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in ownCloud 4.5.5, 4.0.10, and earlier allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) unspecified parameters to apps/calendar/ajax/event/new.php or (2) url parameter to apps/bookmarks/ajax/addBookmark.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/26/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0203 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting multiple versions of the ownCloud file sharing and synchronization platform. This vulnerability resides within the web application's handling of user input parameters, specifically targeting the calendar and bookmarks applications that are integral components of the ownCloud ecosystem. The affected versions include 4.5.5, 4.0.10, and earlier releases, indicating a prolonged period during which this security weakness remained unaddressed within the software's codebase.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the targeted application modules. Attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting malicious payloads through specifically designed parameters that are processed by the vulnerable endpoints. The calendar application's event creation endpoint at apps/calendar/ajax/event/new.php and the bookmarks application's URL parameter handling at apps/bookmarks/ajax/addBookmark.php serve as the primary attack vectors. These endpoints fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamic web content, creating opportunities for malicious script execution within the context of authenticated user sessions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code within the browser context of legitimate users. This capability allows for session hijacking, credential theft, and the potential for privilege escalation within the ownCloud environment. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that ownCloud serves as a platform for file sharing and collaboration, meaning that successful exploitation could compromise sensitive organizational data. The vulnerability's remote nature eliminates the need for physical access or privileged network positions, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise deployments where users may have elevated access rights to shared resources.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a technique involving web application exploitation through input validation bypass, potentially leading to credential access and privilege escalation. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including patching to the latest stable versions of ownCloud, implementing strict input validation policies, and deploying web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious traffic patterns. Additionally, security awareness training for administrators should emphasize the importance of keeping web applications updated and monitoring for signs of exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper output encoding and input sanitization in web applications, particularly those handling user-generated content in collaborative environments.