CVE-2015-4536 in Documentum Content Server
Summary
by MITRE
EMC Documentum Content Server before 7.0 P20, 7.1 before P18, and 7.2 before P02, when RPC tracing is configured, stores certain obfuscated password data in a log file, which allows remote authenticated users to obtain sensitive information by reading this file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/13/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-4536 affects EMC Documentum Content Server versions prior to specific patch levels, creating a critical information disclosure risk through improper logging of sensitive credentials. This issue specifically manifests when Remote Procedure Call tracing is enabled within the Documentum environment, exposing a significant security weakness in the system's credential handling mechanisms. The vulnerability represents a classic example of insecure logging practices where sensitive authentication data is inadvertently persisted in plaintext format within log files, creating an attack surface that adversaries can exploit to gain unauthorized access to system credentials.
The technical flaw resides in the Documentum Content Server's RPC tracing functionality, which when configured, captures and stores obfuscated password data in log files without proper sanitization or encryption. This behavior violates fundamental security principles outlined in CWE-532, which addresses information exposure through log files containing sensitive data. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation and output handling practices, as the system fails to properly distinguish between legitimate debugging information and sensitive authentication credentials during the logging process. Attackers with authenticated access to the system can leverage this weakness to read log files containing the obfuscated but recoverable password information, effectively bypassing normal authentication mechanisms and gaining unauthorized access to the Documentum environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it provides attackers with persistent access to the content management system that can be leveraged for further exploitation within the network. This information disclosure vulnerability can enable attackers to escalate privileges, access restricted content, and potentially move laterally within the enterprise environment where Documentum systems are deployed. The risk is particularly elevated in enterprise environments where Documentum serves as a central repository for sensitive business documents, intellectual property, and confidential data. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and credential access, as it provides attackers with legitimate credentials that can be used to maintain persistent access to the system. Organizations using affected Documentum versions face significant risk of data breaches and unauthorized access to critical business information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-4536 require immediate implementation of patch management procedures to upgrade to supported Documentum versions that address this logging vulnerability. Organizations should disable RPC tracing functionality when not actively debugging, as this removes the primary attack vector for this specific vulnerability. Additionally, system administrators should implement strict log file access controls and regular monitoring of log file contents to detect potential credential exposure. The remediation process should include reviewing and implementing proper log sanitization procedures to ensure that sensitive data is never stored in plain text format within system logs. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive assessments of their Documentum environments to identify any other potential logging vulnerabilities and establish monitoring procedures that can detect unauthorized access to sensitive log files. Organizations should follow security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-53 and ISO/IEC 27001 frameworks to ensure proper handling of sensitive information throughout the system lifecycle.