CVE-2016-9460 in ownCloud Server
Summary
by MITRE
Nextcloud Server before 9.0.52 & ownCloud Server before 9.0.4 are vulnerable to a content-spoofing attack in the files app. The location bar in the files app was not verifying the passed parameters. An attacker could craft an invalid link to a fake directory structure and use this to display an attacker-controlled error message to the user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/22/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2016-9460 represents a significant content-spoofing weakness in Nextcloud and ownCloud server implementations that directly impacts user trust and system integrity. This flaw exists within the files application component of these collaborative file sharing platforms, where the location bar functionality fails to properly validate input parameters passed to the system. The vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to Nextcloud 9.0.52 and ownCloud 9.0.4, indicating that it was a persistent issue across multiple releases of these popular open-source cloud storage solutions. The core problem stems from insufficient parameter validation mechanisms that allow malicious actors to manipulate URL structures and present deceptive content to unsuspecting users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the lack of proper input sanitization and parameter verification within the files application's navigation system. When users navigate through the file structure, the location bar should validate that the requested paths and parameters align with the actual file system structure. However, the vulnerable implementations failed to perform this validation, allowing attackers to craft malicious URLs that appear legitimate but point to non-existent or manipulated directory structures. This validation failure creates a window where attackers can inject arbitrary content that gets rendered as part of the user interface, effectively enabling them to display attacker-controlled error messages or misleading information to users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple content manipulation, as it creates a potential vector for social engineering attacks and user deception. Users who encounter these spoofed error messages may be misled into believing they are interacting with legitimate system components, potentially leading to further exploitation attempts or information disclosure. The vulnerability specifically targets the user-facing interface elements of the files application, making it particularly dangerous because it directly affects user interactions with the system. This type of content-spoofing attack can be particularly effective in phishing scenarios where attackers attempt to trick users into providing sensitive information or performing unintended actions based on the deceptive content they encounter.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of CWE-79, which addresses cross-site scripting and content injection flaws, as the spoofed content can effectively bypass normal security boundaries. The vulnerability also relates to ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers social engineering attacks through spearphishing, since the malicious content can be used to manipulate users into believing they are encountering legitimate system errors or warnings. Organizations running affected versions should prioritize immediate patching to remediate this issue, as the vulnerability can be exploited without requiring authentication or special privileges. Additionally, system administrators should implement monitoring for suspicious URL patterns and user access attempts that might indicate exploitation of this vulnerability. The remediation process should include updating to the patched versions of Nextcloud 9.0.52 or ownCloud 9.0.4, along with implementing proper input validation and parameter sanitization measures to prevent similar issues in other application components.