CVE-2013-0307 in ownCloud
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in settings.php in ownCloud before 4.0.12 and 4.5.x before 4.5.7 allows remote administrators to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the group input field parameter.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/31/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0307 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the ownCloud file sharing platform that affects versions prior to 4.0.12 and 4.5.x prior to 4.5.7. This vulnerability specifically targets the settings.php component and exploits a weakness in input validation that allows remote administrators to inject malicious web scripts or HTML code through the group input field parameter. The flaw resides in the application's insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input data, creating an avenue for attackers to execute malicious code within the context of other users' browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and output encoding practices within the ownCloud administrative interface. When administrators interact with the group management functionality, the application fails to properly sanitize the group input field parameter before processing or displaying it. This allows an attacker with administrative privileges to craft malicious payloads that get executed when other users view the affected administrative pages. The vulnerability operates under CWE-79 which categorizes improper neutralization of input during web output, specifically targeting the failure to properly encode data before rendering it in web contexts. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it leverages the elevated privileges of administrators, amplifying the potential impact of the exploit.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive administrative credentials, and potentially escalate privileges within the ownCloud environment. When exploited, the XSS vulnerability enables attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of authenticated users, potentially allowing them to access confidential data, modify user permissions, or manipulate the file sharing environment. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 indicates it can be used for command and scripting interpreter execution, while T1548.001 highlights potential privilege escalation opportunities. Remote attackers with administrative access can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access or conduct further reconnaissance within the compromised environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-0307 require immediate implementation of proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the ownCloud application. Organizations should upgrade to patched versions of ownCloud 4.0.12 or 4.5.7, which contain the necessary security fixes to address the XSS vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper content security policies and input sanitization measures can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other components of the application. Security teams should also establish regular vulnerability assessment procedures to identify and remediate similar input validation flaws. The fix typically involves implementing proper HTML escaping or encoding of all user-supplied input before rendering it in web contexts, ensuring that any potentially malicious scripts are neutralized before execution. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security testing including dynamic application security testing and manual code review to verify that similar vulnerabilities do not exist in other parts of their ownCloud deployment.