CVE-2014-2514 in Documentum Content Server
Summary
by MITRE
EMC Documentum Content Server before 6.7 SP1 P28, 6.7 SP2 before P15, 7.0 before P15, and 7.1 before P06 does not properly check authorization and does not properly restrict object types, which allows remote authenticated users to run save RPC commands with super-user privileges, and consequently execute arbitrary code, via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2514 affects EMC Documentum Content Server versions prior to specific service packs and patches, creating a critical authorization bypass flaw that enables authenticated attackers to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code. This vulnerability resides within the document management system's access control mechanisms, specifically targeting the validation of object type restrictions and authorization checks that should prevent unauthorized operations. The flaw allows attackers who have already established authentication credentials to exploit insufficient validation controls, transforming their regular user privileges into super-user capabilities through save RPC commands. The issue manifests across multiple product versions including Documentum Content Server 6.7 SP1 P28 and earlier, 6.7 SP2 P15 and earlier, 7.0 P15 and earlier, and 7.1 P06 and earlier, indicating a widespread problem within the product line that required comprehensive patching across different release branches.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate authorization validation within the Documentum Content Server's RPC processing framework, where the system fails to properly verify that authenticated users possess appropriate permissions before executing save operations on specific object types. This authorization bypass occurs at the application layer where the system should enforce strict access controls but instead permits operations that should be restricted to privileged users. The flaw allows attackers to leverage legitimate authenticated sessions to execute save RPC commands that normally require super-user privileges, effectively elevating their access level without proper authentication checks. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it enables arbitrary code execution, representing a severe compromise of the system's integrity and confidentiality. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control in software systems, and represents a classic example of insufficient authorization checks that can lead to privilege escalation attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-2514 is significant for organizations relying on Documentum Content Server for document management and content storage, as it provides attackers with a pathway to gain administrative control over the system. Once exploited, the vulnerability allows for complete system compromise, enabling unauthorized users to access, modify, or delete sensitive documents, alter system configurations, and potentially use the compromised system as a foothold for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous in environments where Documentum servers are accessible over networks. Organizations using affected versions face potential data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and operational disruptions that could result in substantial financial and reputational damage. The vulnerability's presence across multiple service packs indicates that it was a persistent flaw in the system's access control implementation rather than a temporary coding error.
Organizations should immediately implement the vendor-provided patches and service packs that address this vulnerability, specifically targeting the versions mentioned in the CVE description. The recommended mitigation strategy includes applying EMC's security updates for Documentum Content Server 6.7 SP1 P28, 6.7 SP2 P15, 7.0 P15, and 7.1 P06, which contain the necessary fixes for authorization validation and object type restrictions. System administrators should also implement additional monitoring and logging of RPC operations to detect potential exploitation attempts, as well as review existing access controls and user permissions to minimize the impact of potential compromise. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their Documentum environments to identify any other systems that might be similarly affected and ensure that proper network segmentation and access controls are in place to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter demonstrates its potential for lateral movement and persistent access within compromised environments, making comprehensive remediation essential for maintaining overall security posture.