CVE-2014-2056 in ownCloud
Summary
by MITRE
PHPDocX, 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-2014-2056 represents a critical XML External Entity processing flaw within PHPDocX library components utilized by ownCloud Server versions prior to 5.0.15 and 6.0.2. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and processing of XML data structures that do not properly restrict external entity references, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system through XML External Entity attacks. The vulnerability specifically affects the document processing capabilities of ownCloud's file sharing and collaboration platform, where PHPDocX is employed to handle document conversions and processing operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the affected PHPDocX library processes XML input without proper sanitization of external entity declarations. Attackers can craft malicious XML payloads containing external entity references that point to local files, network resources, or even trigger denial of service conditions through resource exhaustion attacks. When the system processes these malformed XML documents, the XML parser attempts to resolve external entities, potentially leading to unauthorized file access, information disclosure, or system resource consumption that can result in service disruption. The flaw operates at the XML parsing layer where entity expansion occurs without adequate restrictions on external entity resolution, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that process untrusted XML input from users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass potential system compromise and service disruption. Remote attackers can leverage this XXE vulnerability to access sensitive files on the server filesystem that should remain protected, potentially including configuration files, user data, or system credentials. The denial of service component of this vulnerability can be particularly damaging in enterprise environments where continuous availability is critical, as attackers can consume system resources through recursive entity references or by targeting large external resources. Additionally, depending on the server configuration and the nature of the accessible files, this vulnerability could potentially serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, including privilege escalation or lateral movement within network environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-2056 should focus on immediate patching of affected ownCloud installations to versions 5.0.15 or 6.0.2 that contain the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement XML parser configuration changes that disable external entity processing and DTD (Document Type Definition) resolution entirely. Network-level protections such as firewalls and web application firewalls should be configured to monitor and block suspicious XML traffic patterns. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-611, which specifically addresses Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for Data from Information Repositories, highlighting the importance of proper input validation and secure XML processing practices. System administrators should also conduct thorough security assessments of their ownCloud deployments to identify any other potential XXE vulnerabilities in related components or third-party libraries that may be similarly affected by this class of attack.