CVE-2023-31871 in Documentum Content Server
Summary
by MITRE • 05/18/2023
OpenText Documentum Content Server before 23.2 has a flaw that allows for privilege escalation from a non-privileged Documentum user to root. The software comes prepackaged with a root owned SUID binary dm_secure_writer. The binary has security controls in place preventing creation of a file in a non-owned directory, or as the root user. However, these controls can be carefully bypassed to allow for an arbitrary file write as root.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2023-31871 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within OpenText Documentum Content Server versions prior to 23.2. This issue stems from the presence of a SUID binary named dm_secure_writer that is packaged with the software and owned by the root user. The SUID (Set User ID) bit on executables allows programs to run with the permissions of the file owner rather than the user who executes them, creating a potential security vector when not properly controlled. The flaw specifically affects the security controls implemented within this binary, which are designed to prevent unauthorized file creation in directories that the executing user does not own, or to prevent execution as the root user.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves careful exploitation of the binary's security mechanisms to bypass the intended restrictions. The dm_secure_writer binary contains built-in controls that should prevent arbitrary file creation in directories not owned by the executing user, as well as restrictions preventing execution as root. However, through precise manipulation of the binary's behavior and potentially leveraging race conditions or path traversal techniques, an attacker can circumvent these protections. This allows a non-privileged Documentum user to perform operations that should normally be restricted to the root user, effectively granting them root-level privileges on the system. The vulnerability directly relates to CWE-276, which describes inadequate privileges for file access, and CWE-284, which addresses improper access control mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for organizations using affected versions of OpenText Documentum Content Server. An attacker who gains access to a low-privilege Documentum user account can escalate their privileges to root level, effectively gaining complete control over the underlying operating system. This privilege escalation allows for arbitrary file creation, system modification, data exfiltration, and the potential installation of persistent backdoors or malware. The implications extend beyond the immediate system compromise, as root access enables attackers to manipulate system configurations, access all user accounts, and potentially pivot to other systems within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers the use of elevated privileges for system access and persistence.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations to address this vulnerability through patching the OpenText Documentum Content Server to version 23.2 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Additionally, system administrators should review and restrict access to the dm_secure_writer binary, potentially removing the SUID bit if it is not essential for legitimate operations. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious file creation activities and unauthorized privilege escalation attempts. Regular security assessments should verify that no unauthorized modifications have occurred to the binary or related system components. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper privilege management and the potential risks associated with SUID binaries in enterprise software environments. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other SUID binaries that may present similar security risks.