CVE-2022-43679 in ownCloud Server
Summary
by MITRE • 11/11/2022
The Docker image of ownCloud Server through 10.11 contains a misconfiguration that renders the trusted_domains config useless. This could be abused to spoof the URL in password-reset e-mail messages.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/17/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-43679 affects the ownCloud Server Docker image version 10.11 and earlier, representing a critical misconfiguration that undermines the application's security controls. This flaw specifically targets the trusted_domains configuration mechanism, which serves as a fundamental security feature designed to prevent domain spoofing and ensure that only legitimate domains can interact with the application. The misconfiguration allows attackers to bypass the intended domain validation checks, effectively rendering the security boundary ineffective. This vulnerability is particularly concerning as it directly impacts the application's ability to authenticate and validate domain requests, creating opportunities for malicious actors to manipulate the application's behavior.
The technical flaw manifests in how the Docker image handles the trusted_domains configuration parameter, which should normally restrict the application to only accept requests from explicitly trusted domains. When this configuration becomes ineffective, attackers can exploit the vulnerability to manipulate URL generation within the application's password reset functionality. The misconfiguration creates a path where email messages containing password reset links can be crafted to appear as if they originate from legitimate domains while actually directing users to attacker-controlled endpoints. This represents a significant deviation from the expected security model where domain validation should prevent such spoofing attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple email spoofing, as it creates a potential attack vector for more sophisticated social engineering campaigns. Attackers can leverage this misconfiguration to craft convincing password reset emails that appear legitimate to end users, potentially leading to credential theft and unauthorized access to user accounts. The vulnerability affects the core authentication flow of the application, making it particularly dangerous for organizations relying on ownCloud for file storage and collaboration services. The Docker image deployment model amplifies the risk since the misconfiguration affects all instances running the vulnerable version, regardless of the underlying infrastructure or additional security controls that might otherwise be in place.
Organizations should immediately update their ownCloud Server installations to versions beyond 10.11 to remediate this vulnerability, as the misconfiguration cannot be effectively patched through configuration changes alone. The recommended mitigation strategy involves implementing proper version control and container image management practices to ensure that only verified, secure versions are deployed in production environments. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their containerized applications to identify similar misconfigurations that might exist in other components of their infrastructure. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which covers exposure of sensitive information, and represents a specific instance of improper input validation that enables domain spoofing attacks. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access through social engineering and manipulation of authentication flows, emphasizing the need for robust domain validation controls in web applications. The incident underscores the critical importance of proper security configuration management in containerized environments where default settings might not provide adequate protection against known attack vectors.