CVE-2015-4537 in Documentum D2
Summary
by MITRE
Lockbox in EMC Documentum D2 before 4.5 uses a hardcoded passphrase when a server lacks a D2.Lockbox file, which makes it easier for remote authenticated users to decrypt admin tickets by locating this passphrase in a decompiled D2 JAR archive.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/13/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2015-4537 represents a critical security flaw within EMC Documentum D2 version 4.4 and earlier, specifically affecting the Lockbox component that handles administrative ticket encryption. This issue stems from a design decision where the system defaults to a hardcoded passphrase when no proper Lockbox file exists on the server, creating a persistent security weakness that significantly undermines the integrity of the authentication system. The vulnerability manifests when an attacker can access the decompiled JAR archive of the D2 application and extract the hardcoded passphrase, which then enables them to decrypt administrative tickets without proper authorization.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the Lockbox mechanism's failure to properly validate or generate secure encryption keys when the designated D2.Lockbox file is absent from the server configuration. When the system cannot locate or properly read the Lockbox file, it falls back to a predetermined hardcoded passphrase that remains consistent across all installations. This hardcoded value becomes accessible through reverse engineering of the application binaries, particularly when attackers decompile the D2 JAR archives to examine the source code implementation. The vulnerability directly relates to CWE-259, which addresses the use of hard-coded passwords and cryptographic keys, and also aligns with CWE-320, concerning the use of weak or predictable cryptographic keys.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe for organizations utilizing EMC Documentum D2, as it provides authenticated attackers with the capability to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to administrative functions. Once an attacker successfully extracts the hardcoded passphrase from the decompiled JAR files, they can decrypt administrative tickets and assume elevated privileges within the Documentum environment. This compromise affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the document management system, potentially allowing attackers to modify or delete critical documents, access restricted information, and perform administrative operations that should be restricted to authorized personnel only.
The attack vector for this vulnerability requires that the attacker already possess valid authentication credentials to access the D2 application, making it an authenticated privilege escalation issue. However, the ease with which the hardcoded passphrase can be extracted from decompiled binaries significantly lowers the barrier to exploitation. This vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the security architecture where the system's reliance on hardcoded values for cryptographic operations creates a persistent backdoor that can be exploited by any attacker with sufficient technical skills and access to the application binaries. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including the deployment of proper Lockbox files with unique cryptographic keys, regular security assessments of application binaries, and the implementation of code obfuscation techniques to prevent easy extraction of sensitive information.
This vulnerability highlights the importance of following security best practices such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks, particularly regarding the proper implementation of cryptographic functions and the avoidance of hardcoded security parameters. The remediation approach should include updating to EMC Documentum D2 version 4.5 or later where this issue has been addressed, implementing proper configuration management for Lockbox files, and conducting regular security reviews of application components to ensure that no hardcoded cryptographic values remain in production systems. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of the D2 application to potential attackers, while also monitoring for unauthorized access attempts that might indicate exploitation of this vulnerability.