CVE-2014-2053 in ownCloud
Summary
by MITRE
getID3() before 1.9.8, as used in ownCloud Server before 5.0.15 and 6.0.x before 6.0.2, allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files, cause a denial of service, or possibly have other impact via an XML External Entity (XXE) attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/31/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2053 represents a critical security flaw in the getID3() library version 1.9.7 and earlier, which was widely utilized in ownCloud Server installations. This vulnerability specifically affects the processing of XML data within the media file analysis functionality, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit XML External Entity (XXE) injection attacks. The flaw exists in how the library handles XML parsing operations, particularly when analyzing multimedia files, where it fails to properly validate or sanitize external entity references in XML documents.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the improper handling of XML parsing within the getID3() library, which is designed to extract metadata from various multimedia file formats. When the library processes XML-based metadata within audio or video files, it does not adequately restrict the loading of external entities or references, allowing attackers to craft malicious XML content that can trigger unauthorized file access. This weakness falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-611, which specifically addresses Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference. The vulnerability enables attackers to construct XXE payloads that can reference external resources, potentially leading to information disclosure, denial of service, or other unspecified impacts depending on the execution environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-2053 is significant for organizations using affected versions of ownCloud Server, as it provides remote attackers with the capability to read arbitrary files from the server filesystem. This can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, including user credentials, configuration files, and other confidential information stored on the server. The vulnerability can be exploited through the upload of malicious media files containing crafted XML metadata, making it particularly dangerous in collaborative environments where users can upload content. Additionally, the XXE attack vector can be used to cause denial of service conditions by consuming excessive system resources or by triggering cascading failures in the XML parsing process. The attack surface is broad as it affects both ownCloud Server versions 5.0.14 and earlier, as well as 6.0.x versions before 6.0.2, indicating that this vulnerability was present across multiple release branches and affected a substantial user base.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2014-2053 requires immediate patching of affected systems to upgrade to getID3() version 1.9.8 or later, where the XXE vulnerability has been addressed through proper XML entity validation and restriction. Organizations should also implement network-level controls to restrict access to the XML parsing functionality, particularly in environments where untrusted file uploads are permitted. Security configurations should include disabling external entity resolution in XML parsers and implementing proper input validation for all file uploads. The remediation aligns with the ATT&CK framework's technique T1190, which covers Exploit Public-Facing Application, and T1059, which addresses Command and Scripting Interpreter. System administrators should also consider implementing automated monitoring and alerting for unusual file access patterns and ensure that all third-party libraries are regularly updated to address known vulnerabilities. Organizations using affected versions should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts and implement proper access controls to limit the impact of any successful attacks.