CVE-2023-23948 in App
Summary
by MITRE • 02/13/2023
The ownCloud Android app allows ownCloud users to access, share, and edit files and folders. Version 2.21.1 of the ownCloud Android app is vulnerable to SQL injection in `FileContentProvider.kt`. This issue can lead to information disclosure. Two databases, `filelist` and `owncloud_database`, are affected. In version 3.0, the `filelist` database was deprecated. However, injections affecting `owncloud_database` remain relevant as of version 3.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/26/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-23948 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the ownCloud Android application that affects users of the 2.21.1 version. This security weakness resides in the FileContentProvider.kt component, which serves as a data access layer for file operations within the mobile client. The vulnerability enables malicious actors to manipulate database queries through crafted input parameters, potentially compromising the integrity and confidentiality of stored data. The affected databases include both the legacy `filelist` database and the primary `owncloud_database`, with the former being deprecated in version 3.0 but the latter maintaining its relevance in current implementations.
The technical exploitation of this SQL injection vulnerability occurs through improper input validation within the Android application's content provider mechanism. When the ownCloud Android app processes file-related operations, it fails to adequately sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into SQL queries. This allows attackers to inject malicious SQL code that can manipulate database operations, potentially extracting sensitive information from both database repositories. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data retrieval as it can enable unauthorized access to user file metadata, authentication credentials, and other confidential information stored within the application's database structure. According to CWE classification, this represents a CWE-89 SQL injection vulnerability that directly affects data integrity and confidentiality.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-23948 poses significant risks to ownCloud users who rely on the Android application for file management and collaboration. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to access file lists, user permissions, and potentially sensitive metadata that could be used for further attacks or data exfiltration. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the application's data management system, potentially compromising user privacy and organizational data security. The persistence of the issue in the `owncloud_database` even after deprecation of `filelist` indicates that the underlying flaw in input sanitization remains unaddressed, creating ongoing security exposure for users of the application. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for Data from Information Repositories, as it provides unauthorized access to stored application data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-23948 should prioritize immediate application updates to versions that address the SQL injection vulnerability in FileContentProvider.kt. Users should ensure they are running the latest stable release of the ownCloud Android application where proper input validation and parameterized queries have been implemented to prevent malicious SQL code injection. Organizations should conduct security assessments of their ownCloud deployments to identify any instances of the vulnerable version and implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, security teams should review database access controls and implement proper input sanitization measures at multiple layers of the application architecture. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and input validation, particularly in mobile applications that handle sensitive user data. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components that may be susceptible to SQL injection attacks. The fix should implement proper parameterized queries and input validation to prevent any user-supplied data from being interpreted as executable SQL code, ensuring that database operations maintain their intended functionality while preventing unauthorized access to the underlying data repositories.