CVE-2015-4533 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 after creation of an object, which allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary code with super-user privileges via a custom script. NOTE: this vulnerability exists because of an incomplete fix for CVE-2014-2513.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2015-4533 represents a critical authorization bypass flaw within EMC Documentum Content Server implementations across multiple version branches. This issue affects versions prior to specific service pack and patch levels including 6.7SP1 P32, 6.7SP2 P25, 7.0 P19, 7.1 P16, and 7.2 P02. The flaw stems from an incomplete remediation of a previous vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2513, creating a persistent security gap that allows authenticated attackers to escalate their privileges significantly. The core problem manifests when the system fails to properly validate authorization controls immediately following object creation processes, enabling malicious actors to execute unauthorized code with super-user privileges.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of custom scripts that leverage the authorization bypass during object creation phases. When an authenticated user creates an object within the Documentum Content Server environment, the system should validate that the user possesses appropriate permissions for the specific operations being performed. However, this validation occurs at an inappropriate time in the process, allowing the attacker to inject and execute arbitrary code that would normally be restricted to privileged users. The flaw specifically targets the authorization checking mechanism that should occur after object creation but before the object becomes fully accessible to the system.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to organizations relying on Documentum Content Server for document management and content storage. The ability to execute code with super-user privileges means that an authenticated attacker can gain complete control over the content server environment, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system compromise, and unauthorized access to sensitive information. The impact extends beyond immediate code execution as attackers can manipulate content, modify system configurations, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the environment. This vulnerability essentially provides a pathway for privilege escalation that bypasses normal security controls designed to prevent unauthorized access to system-level operations.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including applying the relevant service packs and patches that address this vulnerability. The recommended approach involves upgrading to the patched versions mentioned in the CVE description, specifically targeting the service pack and patch levels that contain the complete fix for both CVE-2015-4533 and its precursor CVE-2014-2513. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts and monitor system logs for suspicious activities related to object creation and script execution. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact should exploitation occur, while regular security audits should verify that proper authorization mechanisms are functioning correctly. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization issues, and represents a significant concern within the ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation techniques where attackers seek to gain elevated system privileges through application-level flaws.