CVE-2014-2051 in ownCloud
Summary
by MITRE
ownCloud Server before 5.0.15 and 6.0.x before 6.0.2 allows remote attackers to conduct an LDAP injection attack via unspecified vectors, as demonstrated using a "login query."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/31/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2051 represents a critical LDAP injection flaw in ownCloud Server versions prior to 5.0.15 and 6.0.x versions before 6.0.2. This vulnerability exposes the authentication system to remote exploitation where attackers can manipulate LDAP queries through unspecified vectors, with particular emphasis on login query manipulation. The flaw resides in how the application processes user authentication requests when LDAP is configured as the authentication backend, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject arbitrary LDAP filter syntax into authentication queries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and validation within the LDAP authentication module. When users attempt to authenticate through LDAP-enabled ownCloud instances, the system constructs LDAP search filters based on user-provided credentials without proper escaping or sanitization of special LDAP metacharacters. This allows attackers to craft malicious input that alters the intended LDAP query structure, potentially enabling them to bypass authentication, enumerate users, or access unauthorized resources within the LDAP directory. The vulnerability specifically manifests during the login process where the application constructs search queries to validate user credentials against the LDAP server.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-2051 extends beyond simple authentication bypass scenarios, as it can enable attackers to perform directory traversal attacks, user enumeration, and potentially escalate privileges within the LDAP environment. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could gain unauthorized access to the ownCloud instance, access sensitive user data, and potentially move laterally within the network if the LDAP directory contains additional sensitive information. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require local system access, making it particularly dangerous in environments where ownCloud serves as a central authentication point for multiple applications or services.
Organizations utilizing ownCloud with LDAP authentication should prioritize immediate patching to version 5.0.15 or 6.0.2 respectively, as these releases contain the necessary fixes to address the input validation issues. Additional mitigations include implementing network segmentation to limit access to LDAP servers, configuring proper firewall rules to restrict LDAP traffic, and monitoring authentication logs for suspicious activity patterns. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-94, which describes improper control of generation of code, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1212, which covers Exploitation for Credential Access. Security teams should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication as an additional control layer and regularly audit their LDAP configurations to ensure proper input handling and validation mechanisms are in place.