CVE-2013-0297 in ownCloud
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in ownCloud before 4.0.12 and 4.5.x before 4.5.7 allow remote authenticated administrators to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) site_name or (2) site_url parameter to apps/external/ajax/setsites.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/31/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2013-0297 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness affecting the ownCloud file sharing platform. This vulnerability specifically targets versions prior to 4.0.12 and 4.5.x before 4.5.7, where authenticated administrators can exploit the flaw to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content. The vulnerability exists within the apps/external/ajax/setsites.php endpoint, which processes parameters related to site configuration. This represents a significant security risk as it allows attackers with administrative privileges to manipulate the platform's external site configuration functionality.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the site_name and site_url parameters. When administrators access the setsites.php endpoint to configure external sites, the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before rendering it in the web response. This allows maliciously crafted input containing script tags or HTML elements to be executed in the context of other users' browsers who view the affected pages. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires only authenticated administrator access, meaning that an attacker who has compromised administrative credentials can leverage this flaw without additional privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, data exfiltration, and credential theft. When an administrator with elevated privileges visits pages containing the maliciously injected content, their browser executes the injected scripts, potentially allowing attackers to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or modify the platform's functionality. This creates a persistent threat vector that can compromise the entire platform and potentially affect all users who interact with the compromised administrative interface.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. The flaw also maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage and T1566 for credential access through social engineering. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation mechanisms, employ proper output encoding for all user-supplied data, and maintain strict access controls for administrative functions. Regular security audits of web applications, including thorough code reviews for input handling and output sanitization, are essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities. The remediation process requires immediate patching of affected versions and implementation of proper parameter validation to ensure that all user input is properly sanitized before being processed or displayed within the application interface.