CVE-2014-2048 in ownCloud Server
Summary
by MITRE
The user_openid app in ownCloud Server before 5.0.15 allows remote attackers to obtain access by leveraging an insecure OpenID implementation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/24/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2048 resides within the user_openid application component of ownCloud Server versions prior to 5.0.15, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the authentication framework of the platform. This issue stems from an insecure implementation of the OpenID protocol, which is a widely adopted decentralized authentication standard that enables users to authenticate across multiple websites using a single digital identity. The vulnerability specifically affects the authentication flow where users attempt to log into ownCloud using OpenID credentials, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system's trust mechanisms.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper validation and handling of OpenID authentication responses, allowing attackers to manipulate the authentication process and gain unauthorized access to user accounts. This insecure implementation fails to properly verify the authenticity of OpenID providers and does not adequately validate the identity assertions returned by OpenID servers. The vulnerability creates a scenario where an attacker can potentially forge OpenID responses or manipulate the authentication flow to impersonate legitimate users, effectively bypassing the intended security controls that should protect user access to the ownCloud platform.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to organizations relying on ownCloud for file storage and collaboration services, as it allows remote attackers to obtain unauthorized access to user data without requiring knowledge of user credentials. The impact extends beyond individual account compromise to potentially enable broader access to shared resources, documents, and collaborative environments within the ownCloud ecosystem. Security teams face the challenge of defending against attacks that exploit trust relationships between the ownCloud server and OpenID providers, which could lead to data breaches, unauthorized modifications, and potential lateral movement within affected networks.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues in software systems, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which involves valid accounts used for lateral movement and privilege escalation. Organizations using vulnerable versions of ownCloud should prioritize immediate remediation through patching to version 5.0.15 or later, which includes improved OpenID implementation with proper validation mechanisms. Additional mitigations should include monitoring authentication logs for suspicious activity, implementing multi-factor authentication for critical accounts, and reviewing OpenID provider configurations to ensure they meet security best practices. Security professionals should also consider network-level controls to restrict access to authentication endpoints and implement proper session management controls to minimize the window of opportunity for exploitation.