CVE-2024-50657 is a vulnerability identified in the Owncloud Android application version 4.3.1 that allows privilege escalation through a flaw in the PassCodeViewModel class. The vulnerability exists specifically in the checkPassCodeIsValid method, which is responsible for validating the passcode used to protect access to the app. Due to improper handling of permissions or validation logic (classified under CWE-276: Incorrect Default Permissions), an attacker with physical proximity to the device can bypass security controls and escalate their privileges within the app. This means the attacker can potentially access sensitive data stored or synchronized by Owncloud on the device, modify data, or disrupt app availability. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.8, indicating a medium severity with high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). The attack vector is physical (AV:P), requiring no privileges or user interaction (PR:N/UI:N), and the scope remains unchanged (S:U). No patches or known exploits are currently available, but the vulnerability poses a significant risk in environments where devices may be physically accessible to unauthorized individuals. The flaw highlights the importance of secure coding practices around authentication and permission checks in mobile applications handling sensitive data.

The impact of CVE-2024-50657 is significant for organizations relying on Owncloud Android clients to securely access and synchronize sensitive corporate or personal data. An attacker with physical access to a device can escalate privileges within the app, potentially gaining unauthorized access to confidential files, modifying or deleting data, and disrupting availability. This can lead to data breaches, loss of intellectual property, and operational disruptions. The vulnerability undermines the security assurances of the passcode protection mechanism, increasing the risk of insider threats or attacks in environments with weak physical security controls. Organizations with mobile workforces, BYOD policies, or devices used in public or semi-public spaces are particularly vulnerable. Although no exploits are currently known in the wild, the medium severity and high impact on all security properties warrant proactive mitigation to prevent exploitation.

1. Restrict physical access to devices running Owncloud Android v4.3.1, especially in high-risk environments such as public spaces or shared workplaces. 2. Enforce strong device-level security controls such as full-disk encryption, strong lock screen passcodes, and biometric authentication to complement app-level protections. 3. Monitor device and app logs for unusual access patterns or privilege escalations that could indicate exploitation attempts. 4. Educate users about the risks of leaving devices unattended or lending them to untrusted individuals. 5. Coordinate with Owncloud developers or vendors to obtain patches or updates addressing this vulnerability as soon as they become available. 6. Consider deploying mobile device management (MDM) solutions to enforce security policies and remotely wipe compromised devices. 7. Review and harden app permissions and authentication logic in custom deployments or forks of Owncloud Android to prevent similar issues. 8. Implement network-level protections such as VPNs and endpoint security to reduce the impact of compromised devices.