CVE-1999-1343 in DocuColor 4LP
Summary
by MITRE
HTTP server for Xerox DocuColor 4 LP allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (hang) via a long URL that contains a large number of . characters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/19/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-1999-1343 affects the HTTP server implementation within the Xerox DocuColor 4 LP multifunction device, representing a classic denial of service flaw that exploits improper input validation mechanisms. This issue demonstrates how embedded network services in office equipment can contain fundamental security weaknesses that remote attackers can leverage to disrupt normal operations. The vulnerability specifically targets the HTTP server component that handles web-based management interfaces and network communication protocols, making it particularly concerning for organizations that rely on these devices for document processing and network connectivity.
The technical flaw manifests when the HTTP server processes incoming requests containing excessively long URLs with an abundance of period characters. The server fails to properly validate or limit the length of URL parameters, causing the system to enter an infinite loop or resource exhaustion state when processing these malformed requests. This particular implementation defect stems from inadequate boundary checking and input sanitization routines within the HTTP request parsing logic. The vulnerability operates at the application layer of the network stack, specifically targeting the web server component that handles HTTP protocol communications, which falls under the category of improper input validation as classified by CWE-20. The excessive use of period characters creates a parsing scenario that the server cannot efficiently handle, leading to system resource exhaustion and subsequent service unavailability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can effectively render the entire Xerox DocuColor 4 LP device inaccessible to legitimate users and administrators. When exploited, the denial of service condition causes the device to hang or become unresponsive, preventing document processing operations, network management tasks, and administrative access. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where these devices may be critical for business operations, as it can cause cascading effects when multiple devices are affected or when the device serves as a network gateway for document workflows. The attack vector requires only remote access to the device's HTTP server port, making it easily exploitable by attackers with basic network connectivity and no authentication requirements, which aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.201 for network denial of service attacks.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to isolate affected devices from critical network segments, firewall rules to restrict access to the HTTP server ports, and regular firmware updates to address known vulnerabilities. The device should be configured to limit URL length parameters and implement rate limiting for incoming requests to prevent exploitation. Additionally, monitoring systems should be deployed to detect unusual traffic patterns or service disruptions that may indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing network access controls to restrict administrative access to these devices and establish baseline operational procedures for device maintenance and vulnerability management. The vulnerability highlights the importance of applying security principles to embedded systems and demonstrates how seemingly simple input validation flaws can have significant operational consequences. Organizations should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments of their embedded network devices and establish protocols for managing firmware updates and security patches across their device inventory.