With this update, BW.tech is also ensuring the future viability of the PHP version of ownCloud. While the development of Kiteworks’ cloud-native open-source platform ownCloud Infinite Scale is being driven forward, BW.tech is now ensuring that the classic ownCloud PHP stack (“ownCloud Core”) is modernized and remains compatible with current PHP versions.
Architecture upgrade as a foundation for the coming years
By upgrading to PHP 8.4, ownCloud.online is responding to current technological standards and laying the groundwork for better performance, optimized resource utilization, and greater scalability. Older PHP versions are no longer supported.
The PHP-based service is particularly suitable for organizations with existing LAMP infrastructure, for small to medium-sized installations, and for scenarios where a monolithic system with simple maintenance is preferred over a microservices architecture.
At the same time, all Symfony components were updated to version 7.3. Core libraries such as Laminas, as well as numerous other dependencies, have also been updated to the latest versions. The modernization thus affects the platform’s entire technological foundation.
Another significant step is the complete migration from SwiftMailer—which has not been supported since 2021—to the current Symfony Mailer. This ensures that email communication remains secure and maintainable in the long term.
Significant Security Hardening
A key focus of the release is the systematic reduction of potential attack surfaces. This includes, among other things:
- Hardening of remote service resolution (CVE-2025-53829)
- Disabling the Phar stream wrapper
- Improved security for SVG processing
- Restricting access to internal app configurations (CVE-2025-27844)
- Complete removal of the web updater (CVE-2025-53827)
In addition, two-factor authentication can now be enabled as a mandatory requirement for all users—with optional exceptions for defined groups.
Stability in production environments
In addition to architectural and security improvements, the update addresses numerous detailed optimizations in the areas of file management, sharing, encryption, database stability, and the user interface.
High-traffic installations also benefit: For example, the database structure for file locks has been extended to BIGINT to prevent overflows under high load.
At the same time, legacy code such as Internet Explorer 11 compatibility code has been removed and outdated components deactivated—another step toward technical consolidation.
BW.Tech keeps the ownCloud ecosystem active
With this latest release, BW.Tech underscores its commitment not only to operate ownCloud.online but also to actively develop it further and bring it up to current technological standards.
“The switch to PHP 8.4 is far more than a technical update. We are consciously investing in a modern, secure, and sustainable architecture. In doing so, we are ensuring the platform’s future viability—for ownCloud.online users and for the ownCloud ecosystem as a whole,” says Frank Böttcher, Managing Director of BW.tech.
“For us, digital sovereignty does not mean standing still, but rather continuous development on a stable and trustworthy foundation.”
By consistently modernizing central core components, BW.tech is also sending a clear signal: ownCloud.online remains a vibrant, technologically maintained, and security-oriented platform for professional use.
About ownCloud.online
ownCloud.online is a platform operated by BW.tech for the secure exchange and structured collaboration with sensitive data. The focus is on stability, security, GDPR compliance, and digital sovereignty. For more information on the project, visit https://github.com/BWTECH-github/owncloud.online.
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