CVE-2014-0629 in Documentum TaskSpace
Summary
by MITRE
EMC Documentum TaskSpace (TSP) 6.7SP1 before P25 and 6.7SP2 before P11 does not properly handle the interaction between the dm_world group and the dm_superusers_dynamic group, which allows remote authenticated users to obtain sensitive information and gain privileges in opportunistic circumstances by leveraging an incorrect group-addition implementation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/07/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0629 affects EMC Documentum TaskSpace (TSP) versions 6.7SP1 before P25 and 6.7SP2 before P11, representing a critical access control flaw that stems from improper group membership handling within the Documentum content management platform. This issue resides in the core authorization mechanisms of the system where the dm_world group and dm_superusers_dynamic group interactions create an unintended privilege escalation pathway. The flaw manifests when the system incorrectly processes group addition operations, allowing authenticated users to exploit a logical inconsistency in the group membership model. This vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and can potentially enable attackers to bypass intended security controls within the Documentum environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits a specific flaw in how Documentum handles dynamic group membership assignments, particularly when users are added to the dm_superusers_dynamic group through the dm_world group membership mechanism. This creates a scenario where legitimate authenticated users can leverage their access to manipulate group membership in ways that were not intended by the system design. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires authentication, making it a remote authenticated vulnerability that can be exploited by users who have already established access to the system. The flaw essentially creates a backdoor in the group membership logic that allows privilege elevation through carefully crafted group addition sequences, potentially enabling users to gain access to administrative functions or sensitive data that should be restricted to superusers only.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential data exposure and system compromise scenarios. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability could access sensitive documents, administrative functions, or system configuration data that should be restricted to superuser roles. The opportunistic nature of this vulnerability means that the attack may not require sophisticated techniques or extensive reconnaissance, as it exploits a fundamental flaw in the group membership implementation. This weakness can lead to unauthorized access to business-critical information, potentially affecting compliance requirements and data integrity. The vulnerability also represents a significant risk to the overall security posture of organizations relying on Documentum TaskSpace, as it undermines the trust model that the system is designed to maintain.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of affected systems to the latest service packs that address the group membership handling logic. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the attack surface, ensuring that only authorized users have access to the affected components. Regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar group membership issues that might exist in other parts of the Documentum environment or related systems. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 which addresses improper access control, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and privilege escalation. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring and alerting mechanisms to detect suspicious group membership changes or unauthorized access attempts that could indicate exploitation of this vulnerability. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patched systems to ensure that legitimate functionality is not disrupted while the vulnerability is addressed.