CVE-2017-15013 in OpenText Documentum Content Server
Summary
by MITRE
OpenText Documentum Content Server (formerly EMC Documentum Content Server) through 7.3 contains the following design gap, which allows an authenticated user to gain superuser privileges: Content Server stores information about uploaded files in dmr_content objects, which are queryable and "editable" (before release 7.2P02, any authenticated user was able to edit dmr_content objects; now any authenticated user may delete a dmr_content object and then create a new one with the old identifier) by authenticated users; this allows any authenticated user to replace the content of security-sensitive dmr_content objects (for example, dmr_content related to dm_method objects) and gain superuser privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2025
CVE-2017-15013 represents a critical privilege escalation vulnerability within OpenText Documentum Content Server versions through 7.3 that stems from a fundamental design flaw in the system's access control mechanisms. This vulnerability specifically targets the dmr_content objects which serve as the foundational storage mechanism for file metadata and content references within the Documentum ecosystem. The flaw exists because these objects, while designed to be queryable and editable, do not implement proper authorization checks that would prevent unauthorized modification of security-sensitive content objects. This design gap creates a pathway for authenticated users to manipulate the system's core metadata structures, effectively allowing them to bypass normal security boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the fact that authenticated users can manipulate dmr_content objects through deletion and recreation processes. Prior to version 7.2P02, the system allowed any authenticated user to directly edit dmr_content objects, but even in later versions, the deletion and recreation mechanism remains exploitable. Attackers can leverage this weakness by first deleting a security-sensitive dmr_content object that references critical system components such as dm_method objects, then creating a new dmr_content object with the same identifier. This process effectively replaces the original content with attacker-controlled data, enabling the execution of arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability operates at the core of the Content Server's object management system, where the identifier-based replacement mechanism fails to validate the integrity of the replacement content against the original security context.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-15013 is severe and far-reaching for organizations using OpenText Documentum Content Server, as it provides a direct path to superuser privileges for any authenticated user. This privilege escalation capability allows attackers to bypass standard access controls and gain complete administrative control over the content management system. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it does not require special privileges or complex attack vectors - any user with basic authentication credentials can potentially exploit this weakness. Organizations that rely on Documentum for managing sensitive content, including financial records, intellectual property, and regulatory data, face significant risk of unauthorized access and data compromise. The impact extends beyond immediate privilege escalation to include potential data exfiltration, system manipulation, and the ability to establish persistent backdoors within the content management infrastructure.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in software systems, specifically targeting the inadequate authorization mechanisms that allow unauthorized modification of critical system objects. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques under the T1068 category, where attackers leverage system design flaws to gain elevated permissions. The exploitation process also involves T1566, representing the initial access phase where authenticated users can leverage their legitimate credentials to manipulate system objects. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to patched versions of Documentum Content Server, implementing additional access controls, and monitoring for unauthorized deletion and recreation activities of dmr_content objects. Network segmentation and principle of least privilege should be enforced to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, while regular security audits should verify the integrity of critical system objects and monitor for anomalous user behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.