CVE-2014-3837 in ownCloud
Summary
by MITRE
The document application in ownCloud Server before 6.0.3 uses sequential values for the file_id, which allows remote authenticated users to enumerate shared files via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/31/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-3837 affects ownCloud Server versions prior to 6.0.3 and relates to the document application component that handles file identification within the system. This flaw represents a significant security weakness that enables authenticated attackers to perform file enumeration attacks against shared resources. The vulnerability stems from the predictable nature of file identification values used by the system, creating a pathway for unauthorized discovery of shared files through systematic enumeration techniques.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the use of sequential values for file_id generation within the ownCloud document application. This predictable pattern allows attackers who have authenticated access to the system to systematically discover and enumerate shared files by making repeated requests with incrementing file_id values. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the description suggest that the enumeration can occur through various access points within the application's interface or API endpoints that handle file references and sharing mechanisms. This design flaw directly violates security principles of entropy and unpredictability that should be inherent in identifier generation systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it enables attackers to map the entire shared file structure of a system. An authenticated attacker can leverage this weakness to discover all shared files, potentially including sensitive documents, personal files, or confidential business data that should remain private. The ability to enumerate shared files provides attackers with comprehensive knowledge of the system's file structure, enabling more sophisticated attacks such as targeted data exfiltration or privilege escalation attempts. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely on ownCloud for document sharing and collaboration, as it undermines the privacy and confidentiality guarantees that users expect from the system.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-200, which addresses "Information Exposure," and CWE-330, which covers "Use of Insufficiently Random Values." The predictable nature of file_id generation creates a predictable attack surface that violates fundamental security requirements for identifier entropy. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1083, "File and Directory Discovery," as it enables systematic enumeration of file resources. Organizations using vulnerable versions of ownCloud should immediately implement the available patch updates to address this issue and ensure that all file identifiers are generated using cryptographically secure random number generators. Additionally, administrators should conduct thorough security audits of their file sharing systems to identify and remediate similar predictability issues in other components that handle resource identification and access control mechanisms.