CVE-2021-41573 in Content Platform Anywhere
Summary
by MITRE • 09/30/2021
Hitachi Content Platform Anywhere (HCP-AW) 4.4.5 and later allows information disclosure. If authenticated user creates a link to a file or folder while the system was running version 4.3.x or earlier and then shares the link and then later deletes the file or folder without deleting the link and before the link expires. If the system has been upgraded to version 4.4.5 or 4.5.0 a malicious user with the link could browse and download all files of the authenticated user that created the link .
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/04/2021
This vulnerability exists in Hitachi Content Platform Anywhere versions 4.4.5 and later, representing a critical information disclosure flaw that exploits a legacy system behavior from version 4.3.x or earlier. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of shared links when the system undergoes version upgrades, creating a persistent security gap that allows unauthorized access to user data. The flaw specifically manifests when authenticated users create shared links to files or folders in older system versions, then upgrade the platform without properly managing these legacy links. This creates a scenario where deleted content remains accessible through the preserved link references, effectively bypassing normal access controls and file deletion mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a breakdown in the system's link management and access control enforcement during version transitions. When the system upgrades from 4.3.x to 4.4.5 or 4.5.0, the link validation process fails to properly verify whether the referenced content still exists or whether the original user retains appropriate access rights. This creates a persistent access vector where malicious actors can exploit the link to traverse and download all files belonging to the original authenticated user, regardless of the current system state or file deletion status. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of legacy link persistence and modern access control enforcement, creating a mismatch that allows privilege escalation through unauthorized data access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, affecting both data confidentiality and user privacy across the Hitachi Content Platform Anywhere ecosystem. Organizations using this platform face significant risk of unauthorized data exposure, particularly when users create shared links in older system versions and subsequently upgrade without proper link cleanup procedures. The vulnerability enables attackers to bypass normal file access controls and retrieve sensitive information that should have been removed or restricted following deletion operations. This creates a persistent threat vector that can remain active for the duration of the link expiration period, potentially exposing large volumes of user data including confidential documents, personal information, and organizational assets.
This vulnerability maps to CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and CWE-693 (Protection Mechanism Failure) within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, demonstrating a fundamental breakdown in access control mechanisms during system version transitions. The flaw also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 (Valid Accounts: Cloud Accounts) and T1566.001 (Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment) as attackers can leverage these persistent links to gain unauthorized access to user accounts and their associated data. The vulnerability represents a classic case of inadequate legacy system migration handling, where upgrade processes fail to properly clean up or invalidate references to content that no longer exists in the current system state. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including comprehensive link cleanup procedures, automated link validation processes, and enhanced monitoring of shared link creation and usage patterns to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing robust link management protocols during system upgrades, including automatic invalidation of legacy links when upgrading from versions 4.3.x to 4.4.5 or later. System administrators should establish mandatory link cleanup procedures before performing version upgrades, implement automated link expiration mechanisms, and deploy monitoring solutions to detect suspicious link access patterns. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing enhanced access control policies that prevent unauthorized access to user data through shared links, particularly when system versions have changed. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper legacy system management and upgrade procedures, highlighting that version transitions must include comprehensive cleanup of outdated references and access vectors to prevent persistent security weaknesses in content management platforms.