CVE-2014-9043 in ownCloud
Summary
by MITRE
The user_ldap (aka LDAP user and group backend) application in ownCloud before 5.0.18, 6.x before 6.0.6, and 7.x before 7.0.3 allows remote attackers to bypass authentication via a null byte in the password and a valid user name, which triggers an unauthenticated bind.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/01/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2014-9043 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw in ownCloud's LDAP user and group backend implementation. This issue affects multiple versions of the popular cloud storage platform, specifically targeting ownCloud versions prior to 5.0.18, 6.0.6, and 7.0.3. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the LDAP authentication process, creating a pathway for unauthorized access through crafted authentication requests. The flaw enables attackers to exploit a null byte injection technique that manipulates how the system processes authentication credentials, ultimately allowing unauthorized users to gain access to the platform without proper authentication.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves the improper handling of null byte characters within password fields during LDAP bind operations. When a valid username is combined with a password containing a null byte, the authentication system fails to properly sanitize the input before performing the LDAP bind operation. This null byte injection causes the LDAP client to truncate the password at the null byte position, effectively allowing the system to authenticate using only the portion of the password that precedes the null byte. The vulnerability specifically triggers an unauthenticated bind operation, which bypasses the normal authentication flow and grants access to the system.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe security risk to organizations relying on ownCloud for file storage and collaboration services. Attackers can exploit this flaw to gain unauthorized access to user accounts and potentially escalate privileges within the system. The impact extends beyond individual account compromise, as successful exploitation could lead to data breaches, unauthorized file access, and potential lateral movement within the network. Organizations using affected versions of ownCloud face significant risk of unauthorized data access and potential compliance violations, particularly in environments where data protection regulations are stringent.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which addresses "Improper Input Validation" in software systems, and demonstrates how inadequate sanitization of user inputs can lead to authentication bypass scenarios. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access and privilege escalation, specifically targeting the authentication process to bypass normal security controls. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it requires minimal prerequisites - only knowledge of a valid username and the ability to craft a specific password format containing a null byte. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems and implement additional monitoring for suspicious authentication patterns. Security teams should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts and establish proper input validation controls to prevent similar vulnerabilities in other applications.