CVE-2017-15276 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 allows uploading content using batches (TAR archives). When unpacking TAR archives, Content Server fails to verify the contents of an archive, which causes a path traversal vulnerability via symlinks. Because some files on the Content Server filesystem are security-sensitive, this leads to privilege escalation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15276 resides within OpenText Documentum Content Server version 7.3 and earlier, representing a critical design flaw that enables authenticated users to escalate their privileges to superuser level. This issue stems from the Content Server's inadequate validation mechanisms during the processing of TAR archive uploads, creating a path traversal vulnerability that can be exploited through symbolic link manipulation. The vulnerability specifically affects the batch content upload functionality where users can submit TAR archives containing multiple files for processing within the Content Server environment.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of symbolic links during TAR archive extraction processes. When the Content Server unpacks TAR archives, it fails to validate the contents and resolve symbolic links properly, allowing attackers to create malicious symbolic links that point to security-sensitive files within the Content Server filesystem. This design gap maps directly to CWE-22 Path Traversal and CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write, as the system does not adequately sanitize file paths or verify the integrity of archive contents before processing. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the filesystem level, bypassing application-level access controls and authentication mechanisms.
The operational impact of this privilege escalation vulnerability is severe, as authenticated users can leverage this flaw to gain superuser privileges within the Content Server environment. Attackers who have valid credentials can upload specially crafted TAR archives containing malicious symbolic links that, when processed, allow them to read, modify, or delete critical system files and configuration data. This elevated access can lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and unauthorized modification of content management policies. The vulnerability affects the core security model of the Content Server, potentially enabling attackers to bypass access controls, modify user permissions, and gain administrative capabilities over the entire content management infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-15276 should focus on implementing proper input validation and file path sanitization during archive processing operations. Organizations should ensure that all TAR archive uploads undergo thorough content verification before extraction, including resolution and validation of symbolic links against known safe paths. The Content Server should be configured to reject archives containing symbolic links or to resolve them within restricted directories only. Additionally, implementing least privilege principles for Content Server file system access, regular security updates, and monitoring for suspicious archive upload activities can significantly reduce the attack surface. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 Valid Accounts and T1548.001 Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism, as it exploits legitimate authentication to gain elevated privileges through a design flaw in the system's file handling processes.