CVE-2013-2039 in ownCloud
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in lib/files/view.php in ownCloud before 4.0.15, 4.5.x 4.5.11, and 5.x before 5.0.6 allows remote authenticated users to access arbitrary files via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/31/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-2039 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the ownCloud file sharing platform that affects multiple version ranges including pre-4.0.15, 4.5.x versions prior to 4.5.11, and pre-5.0.6 releases. This vulnerability specifically impacts the lib/files/view.php component of the application, which serves as a core file handling module responsible for managing user file access and operations within the ownCloud ecosystem. The flaw enables authenticated remote attackers to exploit improper input validation mechanisms that fail to adequately sanitize user-supplied paths, creating an avenue for unauthorized file access beyond the intended directory boundaries.
The technical exploitation of this directory traversal vulnerability occurs through unspecified vectors that likely involve manipulation of file path parameters passed to the view.php script. Attackers can construct malicious requests that leverage directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ to navigate outside the intended file access scope. This weakness allows adversaries with valid credentials to access sensitive files that should remain restricted, potentially including configuration files, user data, system logs, or other confidential information stored on the server. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires authentication, meaning that only users with legitimate accounts can exploit this flaw, though this still represents a significant security risk given that such access could be gained through credential theft, social engineering, or other means.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-2039 extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it can facilitate more sophisticated attacks including privilege escalation, data exfiltration, and potential system compromise. Organizations using affected ownCloud versions face risks of data leakage, compliance violations, and reputational damage when sensitive information becomes accessible through this vulnerability. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as directory traversal or path traversal attacks. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1078 Valid Accounts for initial access and T1566 Phishing for credential acquisition, while also supporting T1005 Data from Local System through information gathering capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-2039 primarily involve immediate patching of affected ownCloud installations to versions 4.0.15, 4.5.11, or 5.0.6 respectively, which contain the necessary fixes to properly validate and sanitize file path inputs. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures including input validation at multiple layers, restricting file access permissions, implementing proper access controls, and conducting regular security assessments of file handling components. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious file access patterns, and administrators should review user access logs for potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and the principle of least privilege in web application security, emphasizing that even authenticated users should be restricted from accessing arbitrary system files through application interfaces.