It's a good question, as you indeed can transit in CMB. I just know that someone tried to enter the lounge without a voucher (overheard it while inside) and they didn't let them in, despite the person telling several times "I'm Emirates Gold, see the ticket bla bla"

Not sure if that person was in transit (I doubt so, as it was the CMB-DXB leg) but at CMB they indeed apparently don't know that Golds flying Y should be getting lounge access too (had to escalate to a supervisor to get a voucher)

Oh, and about "this couldn't happen with Star Alliance.. ", I would suggest to check out the thread in the TK forum.. TK closed their lounge in IST, now anyone not on a C ticket, whatever status they have (and may it be HON from M&M) are refused entrance to their temporary lounge. So much about guaranteed *G Lounge Access. Or try flying on a Silkair/SQ codeshare.. no lounge access for you, despite the boarding pass clearly having printed "Star Alliance" and "Gold" on it..