CVE-2014-4639 in Documentum WDK
Summary
by MITRE
EMC Documentum Web Development Kit (WDK) before 6.8 does not properly generate random numbers for a certain parameter related to Webtop components, which makes it easier for remote attackers to conduct phishing attacks via brute-force attempts to predict the parameter value.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4639 affects EMC Documentum Web Development Kit versions prior to 6.8, specifically targeting the random number generation mechanism used for Webtop components. This weakness resides in the cryptographic implementation where the system fails to generate sufficiently random values for a critical parameter that governs web application security. The flaw represents a significant security oversight in the application's ability to maintain unpredictable session identifiers and component parameters, creating exploitable conditions for malicious actors seeking to compromise the web interface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate random number generation algorithms within the Documentum WDK framework. When web applications generate random values for security parameters, they must utilize cryptographically secure random number generators to ensure unpredictability and resistance to prediction attacks. The affected system employs pseudo-random number generators that lack proper entropy sources and cryptographic strength, allowing attackers to potentially reproduce or predict the random values used in Webtop component parameters. This weakness directly violates the principles outlined in CWE-330, which addresses the use of weak random number generators in security-critical contexts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple predictability issues, as it enables sophisticated phishing attacks through brute-force methodologies. Attackers can systematically attempt to guess or predict the random parameter values used in Webtop components, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive document management functions. This creates opportunities for session hijacking, privilege escalation, and unauthorized data manipulation within the Documentum environment. The vulnerability particularly affects authentication flows and component access controls where predictable parameters could be leveraged to forge legitimate user sessions or bypass security mechanisms that rely on these random values for protection.
Organizations utilizing affected EMC Documentum WDK versions face significant risk exposure due to this weakness, as it fundamentally undermines the security model of the web development framework. The vulnerability creates persistent attack vectors that can be exploited repeatedly without requiring additional reconnaissance or complex exploitation techniques. Security professionals must consider the broader implications of this weakness within enterprise document management systems, where the compromised integrity of web components can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive corporate information. The attack surface expands significantly when considering that many Documentum implementations rely on web-based interfaces for document access and management, making the predictability of component parameters particularly dangerous.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to the EMC Documentum WDK 6.8 release or later versions that contain corrected random number generation implementations. Organizations should also implement additional monitoring and detection measures to identify potential exploitation attempts, including logging and analysis of unusual parameter patterns or access patterns that might indicate brute-force activity. Security teams must conduct comprehensive assessments of their Documentum environments to identify all instances of the vulnerable WDK versions and ensure proper implementation of cryptographic security controls. The remediation process should include verification that the updated random number generation algorithms properly utilize cryptographically secure sources and maintain appropriate entropy levels for security-critical parameters. Organizations should also review their incident response procedures to ensure readiness for potential exploitation of this vulnerability, as the nature of the weakness makes it particularly amenable to automated attack tools and systematic brute-force approaches. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper cryptographic implementation in web applications and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers phishing attacks that leverage predictable parameters or weak authentication mechanisms.