CVE-2015-4544 in Documentum Content Server
Summary
by MITRE
EMC Documentum Content Server before 7.1P20 and 7.2.x before 7.2P04 does not properly verify authorization for dm_job object access, which allows remote authenticated users to obtain superuser privileges via crafted object operations. NOTE: this vulnerability exists because of an incomplete fix for CVE-2014-4626.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/14/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2015-4544 represents a critical authorization bypass flaw within EMC Documentum Content Server systems. This security weakness affects versions prior to 7.1P20 and 7.2.x prior to 7.2P04, creating a significant risk for organizations relying on Documentum for content management and document workflow processes. The vulnerability stems from inadequate verification mechanisms for dm_job object access controls, which are fundamental components in Documentum's job scheduling and execution framework. The flaw specifically manifests when authenticated users perform crafted object operations that exploit the incomplete remediation of a previous vulnerability, CVE-2014-4626, thereby creating a persistent security gap that attackers can leverage for privilege escalation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper validation of access permissions for dm_job objects within the Documentum Content Server architecture. When users authenticate to the system, they should be restricted to operations within their defined access levels and roles. However, the flawed authorization verification process allows authenticated users to manipulate object operations in such a way that they can bypass normal access controls and gain superuser privileges. This occurs because the system fails to properly validate the user's authorization level when processing dm_job operations, enabling malicious users to escalate their privileges through carefully constructed requests. The vulnerability specifically targets the job management functionality where users can schedule, execute, and monitor various automated processes within the Documentum environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-4544 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential data compromise and system integrity violations. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain superuser access to the Documentum Content Server, thereby obtaining unrestricted access to all content stored within the system, including sensitive documents, metadata, and configuration settings. This elevated privilege level allows for comprehensive system manipulation, including the ability to modify or delete content, alter user permissions, and potentially exfiltrate sensitive data. The vulnerability's persistence is particularly concerning as it represents an incomplete remediation of CVE-2014-4626, indicating that the security team's initial response was insufficient to fully address the underlying authorization flaws in the system's access control mechanisms.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigation strategies to protect their Documentum environments. The primary recommendation involves applying the official patches released by EMC for versions 7.1P20 and 7.2P04, which address the incomplete authorization verification process. Additionally, system administrators should conduct comprehensive access control reviews to identify any unauthorized users who may have exploited this vulnerability during the period when the flaw was present. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous dm_job object access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and privilege escalation. Security teams should also consider implementing additional logging and auditing measures specifically focused on job management operations to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain compliance with industry standards for information security management.