CVE-2015-4535 in Documentum Content Server
Summary
by MITRE
Java Method Server (JMS) in 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, when __debug_trace__ is configured, allows remote authenticated users to gain super-user privileges by leveraging the ability to read a log file containing a login ticket.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/13/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2015-4535 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within EMC Documentum Content Server's Java Method Server component. This issue affects multiple versions of the Documentum platform, specifically targeting releases before certain service packs and patches including 6.7SP1 P32, 6.7SP2 P25, 7.0 P19, 7.1 P16, and 7.2 P02. The vulnerability stems from improper access controls and insecure logging practices that allow authenticated users to exploit a debug functionality that should remain restricted to administrators only.
The technical flaw manifests through the _debug_trace_ configuration parameter which, when enabled, creates a log file containing sensitive authentication tokens or login tickets. This debug functionality, intended for development and troubleshooting purposes, becomes a security risk when accessible to regular authenticated users who should not possess super-user privileges. The vulnerability falls under CWE-269 Improper Privilege Management, as it allows users to escalate their privileges through unauthorized access to administrative logging mechanisms. The flaw specifically enables an authenticated attacker to read log files that contain session tokens or authentication credentials, effectively allowing them to impersonate administrative users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it fundamentally undermines the security model of the Documentum Content Server platform. An authenticated user can leverage this vulnerability to gain super-user privileges without requiring additional authentication factors or administrative access. This privilege escalation capability enables attackers to perform actions such as creating or modifying user accounts, accessing restricted content, modifying system configurations, and potentially gaining access to sensitive business data. The vulnerability represents a classic case of insecure direct object reference and improper access control, as described in ATT&CK technique T1078.004 Valid Accounts and T1484.001 Domain Controller Policy Modification, where attackers can leverage existing accounts to escalate their privileges.
The exploitation process involves an authenticated user accessing the debug trace functionality, reading the log files containing the login tickets, and then using these credentials to assume administrative privileges within the system. This vulnerability demonstrates poor security design principles and highlights the importance of proper access controls, secure logging practices, and the principle of least privilege. Organizations using affected versions of Documentum Content Server face significant risk of unauthorized privilege escalation and potential data breaches. The vulnerability also exposes the platform to potential lateral movement within the network, as administrative access typically provides broader system access than regular user accounts.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching to the affected versions, disabling the _debug_trace_ functionality when not required for troubleshooting, implementing proper access controls on log files, and monitoring for unauthorized access to debug logging mechanisms. Organizations should also enforce principle of least privilege for all users, implement proper logging and monitoring of administrative activities, and ensure that debug features are only enabled in controlled environments with proper access controls. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues within the Documentum platform and other enterprise systems. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of secure configuration management and proper security hardening practices for enterprise content management systems.