CVE-2013-2046 in ownCloud
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in lib/bookmarks.php in ownCloud Server 4.5.x before 4.5.11 and 5.x before 5.0.6 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/31/2025
The CVE-2013-2046 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw discovered in the ownCloud Server software ecosystem, specifically within the lib/bookmarks.php component. This vulnerability affected versions 4.5.x prior to 4.5.11 and 5.x prior to 5.0.6, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on this file sharing and synchronization platform. The vulnerability's classification as a remote authenticated SQL injection attack means that malicious actors with valid user credentials could exploit this weakness to execute arbitrary database commands, potentially leading to complete system compromise and data exfiltration.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the bookmarks functionality of ownCloud Server. When authenticated users interact with the bookmark management features, the application fails to adequately sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into SQL queries. This allows attackers to inject malicious SQL code through various input fields that are processed by the vulnerable lib/bookmarks.php script. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the CVE description suggest that multiple entry points within the bookmark handling logic could be exploited, making the attack surface broader than initially apparent. This weakness directly maps to CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection vulnerabilities as a fundamental flaw in input validation and output encoding practices.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-2046 extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to manipulate database contents, escalate privileges, or even gain shell access to the underlying server. Remote authenticated users with legitimate accounts could leverage this vulnerability to access sensitive information stored in the ownCloud database, including user credentials, file metadata, and potentially other organizational data. The implications are particularly severe for enterprises using ownCloud as their primary file sharing solution, as the compromise of a single authenticated user account could provide attackers with access to all files and bookmarks managed through that account. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1046 for remote service exploitation, creating a multi-stage attack vector that combines credential compromise with database manipulation.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through the application of security patches released by ownCloud, specifically upgrading to versions 4.5.11 or 5.0.6 and later. System administrators should implement network monitoring to detect suspicious database query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while also reviewing access logs for unauthorized activities. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and parameterized queries in preventing SQL injection attacks, aligning with security best practices outlined in OWASP Top Ten and NIST guidelines for secure coding. Additionally, implementing proper database access controls and privilege separation can help limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts, while regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the ownCloud ecosystem.