CVE-2002-1048 in Jetdirect
Summary
by MITRE
HP JetDirect printers allow remote attackers to obtain the administrative password for the (1) web and (2) telnet services via an SNMP request to the variable (.iso.3.6.1.4.1.11.2.3.9.4.2.1.3.9.1.1.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/01/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-1048 represents a critical security flaw in HP JetDirect printer implementations that exposes administrative credentials through improper access controls. This vulnerability specifically affects networked printing devices that utilize the Simple Network Management Protocol for configuration and monitoring purposes. The flaw allows remote attackers to extract administrative passwords for both web and telnet services by making targeted SNMP requests to a specific object identifier within the printer's management interface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms within the HP JetDirect firmware. When an attacker sends an SNMP request to the designated variable identifier .iso.3.6.1.4.1.11.2.3.9.4.2.1.3.9.1.1.0, the printer responds with cleartext administrative credentials. This represents a fundamental failure in the principle of least privilege and demonstrates poor security architecture in the printer's network management component. The vulnerability exists because the printer's SNMP implementation does not properly authenticate or authorize requests before disclosing sensitive configuration information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching across enterprise network environments. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to gain full administrative control over affected printers, potentially using the extracted credentials to establish persistent access points within the network infrastructure. Once compromised, these printers can serve as launching platforms for further attacks including man-in-the-middle operations, credential theft, or as honeypots for network reconnaissance. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on HP JetDirect printers for document management, as these devices often serve as critical network entry points for print management services. The exposure of administrative passwords for both web and telnet interfaces creates multiple attack vectors, significantly increasing the potential attack surface.
The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-200, which addresses improper exposure of sensitive information, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 for credential access through network service exploitation. Organizations implementing HP JetDirect printers should immediately disable unnecessary services, implement network segmentation, and apply firmware updates from HP to remediate this vulnerability. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous SNMP traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure configuration management and proper network access controls, particularly for embedded network devices that often receive minimal security attention despite their critical role in enterprise infrastructure.