CVE-2015-8303 in Document Security Management
Summary
by MITRE
Huawei Document Security Management (DSM) with software before V100R002C05SPC661 does not clear the clipboard when closing a secure file, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information by pasting the contents to another file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/06/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-8303 affects Huawei Document Security Management (DSM) software versions prior to V100R002C05SPC661, representing a critical information disclosure flaw that undermines the security assurances provided by the system. This vulnerability specifically manifests when the DSM application closes a secure file without properly clearing the system clipboard, creating an exploitable condition that persists beyond the intended secure file context.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate memory management practices within the DSM application lifecycle, where the software fails to execute proper clipboard sanitization procedures upon file closure. When users interact with secure documents within the DSM environment, any copied content remains accessible in the system clipboard even after the secure file has been closed. This design oversight creates a persistent attack surface that adversaries can leverage to extract sensitive information from previously accessed secure documents.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it directly violates fundamental security principles of data isolation and access control. Local attackers can exploit this condition by simply copying content from secure documents and then pasting it into other files or applications, effectively bypassing the security controls implemented by the DSM system. This weakness undermines the confidentiality guarantees that organizations expect from document security solutions, potentially exposing classified information, proprietary data, or sensitive business documents to unauthorized access.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses "Information Exposure," and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege and secure coding practices. The flaw also corresponds to techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1005, "Data from Local System," where adversaries collect sensitive data from compromised systems. The persistent nature of clipboard contents makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited at any time after the initial secure document access, without requiring additional authentication or system compromise.
Organizations utilizing Huawei DSM software should immediately implement patch management protocols to upgrade to version V100R002C05SPC661 or later, which contains the necessary clipboard sanitization fixes. Additionally, system administrators should conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify any potential data leakage that may have occurred through this vulnerability. Implementing monitoring solutions that track clipboard activity and establishing strict access controls for sensitive document handling can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of secure coding practices and proper memory management in enterprise security applications, particularly those handling sensitive information where data persistence beyond intended use contexts creates exploitable conditions.