CVE-2002-1055 in NC-3100h
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in administrative web server for Brother NC-3100h printer allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service via a long password.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1055 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the administrative web server component of Brother NC-3100h network printer devices. This security weakness resides in the printer's web interface implementation where insufficient input validation occurs when processing password entries. The flaw manifests when an attacker submits an excessively long password string to the administrative web server, causing the buffer to overflow and subsequently leading to a denial of service condition. The vulnerability specifically affects the printer's ability to process authentication requests, rendering the device inaccessible to legitimate users and administrators.
From a technical perspective, this buffer overflow vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the printer's embedded web server software. The administrative interface lacks adequate input sanitization mechanisms to handle password strings that exceed predetermined buffer limits. When the system attempts to store or process an overly long password, the excess data overflows into adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting critical system structures or causing the web server process to crash. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite stack memory and disrupt normal program execution flow. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no authentication to exploit, making it accessible to any remote attacker with network access to the printer.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can severely compromise the availability of network printing services within an organization. When the administrative web server crashes due to the buffer overflow, network administrators lose the ability to configure or manage the printer remotely, forcing them to resort to physical access methods for recovery. This situation creates significant operational challenges, particularly in environments where multiple printers are managed centrally, as the compromise of a single device can disrupt printing operations across an entire department or facility. The vulnerability also creates potential for extended downtime while administrators must physically access the device, update firmware, or restart the affected system components. From an enterprise security perspective, this denial of service condition can be exploited to create service disruption attacks or serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks targeting the broader network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-1055 should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term security enhancements. Organizations should prioritize applying firmware updates from Brother to address the buffer overflow vulnerability, as these patches typically include proper input validation and bounds checking mechanisms. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit direct network access to printer administrative interfaces, reducing the attack surface for remote exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect unusual traffic patterns or malformed requests to printer web interfaces can provide early warning of exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service, where adversaries exploit weaknesses in network infrastructure to disrupt services. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include verification of printer firmware versions and configuration settings to ensure compliance with security best practices. Physical security measures, including securing printer access points and implementing proper network access controls, further reduce the risk of exploitation through this vulnerability.