CVE-2015-4532 in Documentum Content Server
Summary
by MITRE
EMC Documentum Content Server before 6.7SP1 P32, 6.7SP2 before P25, 7.0 before P19, 7.1 before P16, and 7.2 before P02 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. NOTE: this vulnerability exists because of an incomplete fix for CVE-2014-2514.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2015-4532 represents a critical authorization bypass flaw within EMC Documentum Content Server versions prior to specific patch levels. This issue affects multiple major versions including 6.7SP1 through P32, 6.7SP2 through P25, 7.0 through P19, 7.1 through P16, and 7.2 through P02. The vulnerability stems from an incomplete remediation of a previously identified flaw, CVE-2014-2514, creating a persistent security gap that allows authenticated attackers to escalate their privileges significantly.
The technical flaw manifests through improper authorization checks and inadequate object type restrictions within the Documentum Content Server's RPC (Remote Procedure Call) execution framework. When authenticated users exploit this vulnerability, they can execute save RPC commands with super-user privileges, effectively bypassing the normal access control mechanisms that should prevent unauthorized administrative operations. This privilege escalation capability directly enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on the affected system, transforming a simple authenticated user session into a full administrative compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for organizations relying on Documentum Content Server for document management and content storage. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can gain complete control over the content server, potentially accessing, modifying, or deleting sensitive corporate documents, manipulating system configurations, and establishing persistent backdoors. The vulnerability's remote nature means attackers do not require physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with internet-facing Documentum servers. Additionally, the fact that this vulnerability exists due to an incomplete fix for CVE-2014-2514 indicates a pattern of inadequate security remediation that organizations should carefully monitor for similar issues.
Organizations should immediately implement the vendor-provided patches for their specific Documentum Content Server versions to address this vulnerability. The recommended mitigations include applying the latest service packs and patches, specifically targeting the mentioned patch levels for each affected version. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation to limit access to Documentum servers, enforcing strict authentication controls, and monitoring for unusual RPC command execution patterns. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and represents a significant risk under the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation techniques, particularly those involving remote code execution through application-level flaws. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts and ensure proper access controls are in place to prevent unauthorized administrative operations.