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Why are files vanishing from Nextcloud 32 without error logs?
Critical Advisory: Silent Data Deletion in Nextcloud 32.0.x
System administrators managing Nextcloud instances must exercise extreme caution immediately. Verified reports indicate a critical bug in Nextcloud server version 32.0.x that causes irreversible data loss. This issue specifically impacts the “Group Folders” extension, deleting files without leaving traces in system logs or databases.
The Technical Failure
The defect manifests in Nextcloud server versions 32.0.0 and 32.0.1 when running the Group Folders application (versions 20.1.2 and 20.1.3). While Nextcloud typically serves as a secure, open-source alternative to platforms like Dropbox or Google Drive, this specific configuration currently compromises data integrity.
The Group Folders app, designed to allow administrators to manage centralized directories and permissions for teams, appears to be the vector for this failure. Reports suggest that Excel files are disproportionately affected, though the issue may extend to other file types stored within these shared directories.
The “Silent” Nature of the Deletion
The most alarming aspect of this bug is its stealth. Standard auditing protocols rely on system logs to track file activity. However, in this scenario:
- No Log Entries: The server deletes data without recording the event in standard error logs.
- No Database Trace: Queries searching for the object_id of affected files in the oc_activity database table return zero results.
Administrators relying solely on Nextcloud’s internal dashboard to monitor health will not see these errors. The data simply vanishes.
Community Verification and Scope
This issue was brought to light by community members and independent auditors, specifically referenced in GitHub issue #4146 (“files are vanishing”). One user, identifying as vanbernaert, confirmed seeing multiple reports of unintentional deletion as of November 2025.
Community feedback highlights the scale of the risk:
- One administrator discovered the loss only after auditing the underlying Windows file server, not the Nextcloud interface.
- Another user reported the loss of “tens of thousands of files.”
- The consensus suggests many organizations may be currently losing data without realizing it, as the “silent” deletion triggers no alarms.
Advisory Recommendations
If you manage a Nextcloud instance, take the following steps immediately:
- Suspend Updates: Do not update to version 32.0.x until a patch is verified.
- Verify Backups: Ensure your backup routines are functioning and that you have offline copies of critical data.
- Audit Storage: Check your underlying physical storage or file system directly rather than relying on Nextcloud logs.
- Monitor GitHub: Follow issue #4146 for immediate updates from the developer community regarding a fix.