CVE-2015-4524 in Documentum Administrator
Summary
by MITRE
Unrestricted file upload vulnerability in EMC Documentum WebTop 6.7SP1 before P31, 6.7SP2 before P23, and 6.8 before P01; Documentum Administrator 6.7SP1 before P31, 6.7SP2 before P23, 7.0 before P18, 7.1 before P15, and 7.2 before P01; Documentum Digital Assets Manager 6.5SP6 before P25; Documentum Web Publishers 6.5 SP7 before P25; and Documentum Task Space 6.7SP1 before P31 and 6.7SP2 before P23 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary code by uploading a file to the backend Content Server.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/23/2022
The CVE-2015-4524 vulnerability represents a critical unrestricted file upload flaw affecting multiple EMC Documentum products including WebTop, Administrator, Digital Assets Manager, Web Publishers, and Task Space across various versions. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and file type checking mechanisms within the web applications' file upload functionality, creating a pathway for malicious actors to bypass security controls and potentially gain unauthorized system access. The flaw specifically impacts versions prior to designated patch levels, indicating a widespread issue affecting the entire Documentum product ecosystem from version 6.5 through 7.2.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows authenticated attackers to upload malicious files to the backend Content Server without proper validation of file contents or extensions. This unrestricted upload capability enables attackers to deploy web shells, malicious scripts, or other executable code that can be executed within the application context. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and leverages the trust relationship between authenticated users and the web application, making it particularly dangerous as it requires minimal privileges to exploit. The flaw aligns with CWE-434 which categorizes unrestricted upload of executable files as a critical security weakness, specifically addressing the improper restriction of file uploads that can lead to arbitrary code execution.
Operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass full system compromise and data breach potential. Successful exploitation can enable attackers to establish persistent backdoors, escalate privileges, access sensitive documents and data, and potentially move laterally within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects the core Documentum Content Server functionality, which typically serves as a central repository for enterprise content management, making the potential damage significant for organizations relying on these systems for business-critical operations. The attack surface includes not just the web applications but also the underlying Content Server, which may contain sensitive corporate data and business processes.
Security controls for this vulnerability align with ATT&CK technique T1190 which covers Exploit Public-Facing Application, and T1059 which addresses Command and Scripting Interpreter. Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense including input validation, file type restrictions, content scanning, and proper access controls. Immediate remediation involves applying the vendor patches released for each affected product version, as these updates typically include enhanced file validation mechanisms, proper MIME type checking, and restricted upload directories. Network segmentation and monitoring of file upload activities can provide additional detection capabilities, while regular security assessments should verify that no unauthorized upload mechanisms exist within the environment. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices in enterprise content management systems.