CVE-2022-31120 : What You Need to Know

Nextcloud Server is an open-source personal cloud solution. The audit log in affected versions is incompletely populated, not properly logging federated share events. This issue can allow brute force attacks to go unnoticed, exacerbating the impact of CVE-2022-31118. Upgrading to Nextcloud Server versions 22.2.7, 23.0.4, or 24.0.0 is recommended to mitigate this vulnerability.

Understanding CVE-2022-31120

This section provides insights into the impact, affected systems, and mitigation strategies related to CVE-2022-31120.

What is CVE-2022-31120?

CVE-2022-31120 highlights the inability of the audit log to properly record federated share events in Nextcloud Server, potentially allowing undetected brute force attacks. This issue can have severe security implications if left unaddressed.

The Impact of CVE-2022-31120

The incomplete population of the audit log in affected Nextcloud Server versions creates a blind spot for federated share events, enabling malicious actors to conduct brute force attacks without detection. This significantly compromises the security and integrity of the system.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-31120

This section delves into the specifics of the vulnerability, including its description, affected systems, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the failure of Nextcloud Server to log federated share events correctly in the audit log, allowing attackers to perform brute force attacks undetected, posing a significant security risk.

Affected Systems and Versions

Nextcloud Server versions >= 23.0.0 and < 23.0.4, as well as version < 22.2.7, are affected by CVE-2022-31120. Users operating these versions are susceptible to the security loophole that enables brute force attacks.

Exploitation Mechanism

Malicious actors can exploit this vulnerability by leveraging the oversight in logging federated share events. By going undetected in the audit log, attackers can carry out brute force attacks with little risk of discovery.

Mitigation and Prevention

In this section, we outline immediate steps to take and best practices for ensuring long-term security in light of CVE-2022-31120.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Nextcloud Server to versions 22.2.7, 23.0.4, or 24.0.0 to address the incomplete logging of federated share events and mitigate the risk of brute force attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and review audit logs to detect any suspicious activities or unauthorized access attempts.
Implement strong password policies and multi-factor authentication to enhance overall system security.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and updates from Nextcloud to promptly apply patches and address any identified vulnerabilities in the software.