CVE-2014-2503 in Documentum Digital Asset Manager
Summary
by MITRE
The thumbnail proxy server in EMC Documentum Digital Asset Manager (DAM) 6.5 SP3, 6.5 SP4, 6.5 SP5, and 6.5 SP6 before P13 allows remote attackers to conduct Documentum Query Language (DQL) injection attacks and bypass intended restrictions on querying objects via a crafted parameter in a query string.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/22/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2503 resides within the thumbnail proxy server component of EMC Documentum Digital Asset Manager version 6.5 SP3 through SP6 before P13. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that enables remote attackers to exploit Documentum Query Language injection techniques, fundamentally undermining the system's access controls and data integrity mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically targets the parameter handling within query strings that are processed by the thumbnail proxy server, creating an attack surface where malicious input can be interpreted as legitimate DQL commands rather than simple user input.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the thumbnail proxy server's query parameter processing logic. When users submit requests containing crafted parameters through the query string, the system fails to properly escape or validate these inputs before incorporating them into DQL execution contexts. This allows attackers to inject arbitrary DQL commands that bypass the intended access restrictions and querying limitations. The flaw operates at the application level where user-supplied data flows directly into database query construction without proper sanitization measures, creating a classic injection vulnerability pattern.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it enables attackers to bypass the Documentum system's built-in access controls and potentially execute unauthorized queries against the underlying database. Attackers can leverage this weakness to retrieve sensitive information, including digital asset metadata, user permissions, and potentially confidential document contents that should be restricted to authorized personnel only. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or local network presence, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that expose their Documentum instances to external networks or internet-facing services.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability face significant risks including data leakage, unauthorized access to proprietary digital assets, and potential compliance violations with industry standards such as iso 27001 and soc 2. The attack vector allows for privilege escalation and unauthorized data exfiltration, with potential implications for intellectual property protection and business continuity. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-94, which describes improper control of generation of code, and falls under the ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol traffic, specifically targeting the Documentum DAM system's query processing mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate implementation of the vendor-provided patches for EMC Documentum Digital Asset Manager versions 6.5 SP3 through SP6 before P13, which address the input validation deficiencies in the thumbnail proxy server. Organizations should also implement network-level restrictions to limit access to the thumbnail proxy server, deploy web application firewalls to monitor and filter malicious query parameters, and conduct comprehensive input validation across all user-supplied data streams. Additionally, organizations should review and strengthen their access control policies, implement proper logging and monitoring of query activities, and establish regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other enterprise systems. The remediation process should also include updating the Documentum system to the latest supported versions and implementing proper code review processes to prevent similar injection vulnerabilities in future development cycles.