CVE-2014-3832 in ownCloud
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Documents component in ownCloud Server 6.0.x before 6.0.3 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors, possibly related to the print_unescaped function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/31/2025
The CVE-2014-3832 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Documents component of ownCloud Server version 6.0.x prior to 6.0.3. This vulnerability exposes the platform to remote code execution risks where malicious actors can inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into the application's interface. The vulnerability specifically relates to the print_unescaped function which is responsible for rendering content without proper sanitization, creating an opening for attackers to exploit the system's input handling mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through unspecified vectors that leverage the improper handling of user-supplied data within the Documents component. When the print_unescaped function processes content, it fails to adequately sanitize or escape potentially malicious input, allowing attackers to inject script tags or other HTML elements that execute in the context of other users' browsers. This flaw operates at the application layer and specifically targets the server-side rendering logic that manages document display functionality. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize or escape special characters, making it a classic XSS vulnerability that can be exploited across different browser environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it enables attackers to establish persistent malicious presence within the ownCloud environment. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or execute arbitrary commands on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the entire Documents component, potentially compromising sensitive business documents and user data stored within the platform. This weakness can be particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where ownCloud serves as a central document management solution, as it allows attackers to gain unauthorized access to confidential information and potentially escalate privileges within the system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-3832 should prioritize immediate patching of affected ownCloud Server installations to version 6.0.3 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the print_unescaped function. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout their applications to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future. The remediation process should include reviewing all server-side functions that handle user input and ensuring proper sanitization before rendering content to users. Security teams should also establish regular vulnerability scanning procedures and maintain updated threat intelligence to identify potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing content security policies and using web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures against XSS attacks. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script injection and demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in preventing web application attacks.