CVE-2002-1833 in Docutech 6110
Summary
by MITRE
The default configurations for DocuTech 6110 and DocuTech 6115 have a default administrative password of (1) "service!" on Solaris 8.0 or (2) "administ" on Windows NT, which allows remote attackers to gain privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/04/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-1833 represents a critical security flaw in the DocuTech 6110 and DocuTech 6115 multifunction devices that were widely deployed in enterprise environments during the early 2000s. These devices, which served as networked printing solutions for businesses, contained hardcoded default credentials that significantly compromised their security posture. The flaw stems from poor security practices in the device configuration process, where manufacturers failed to properly secure the initial administrative access points. This vulnerability specifically affects systems running Solaris 8.0 and Windows NT operating systems, creating a persistent attack surface that could be exploited by unauthorized parties without requiring sophisticated techniques or prior access to the network infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves hardcoded administrative passwords that remain unchanged from factory defaults, creating a predictable and well-documented access vector for attackers. The Solaris 8.0 system uses the password "service!" while the Windows NT system employs "administ" as its default administrative credential. These weak default passwords are particularly dangerous because they are widely known within the security community and can be easily discovered through standard reconnaissance activities or public documentation. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to gain administrative privileges on the devices, which provides complete control over the printing services, network configuration, and potentially access to sensitive data processed through these systems. This represents a fundamental failure in the principle of least privilege and demonstrates poor security by design practices that were common in enterprise device manufacturing during this era.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass broader security implications for enterprise networks. Once attackers gain administrative access to these multifunction devices, they can manipulate print queues, modify network settings, install malicious software, or use the devices as stepping stones for further attacks within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because multifunction devices often serve as critical network entry points for organizations, and their compromise can lead to data exfiltration, network disruption, or as a pivot point for accessing other systems. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability would likely violate numerous security standards including those outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ISO 27001, as it represents a clear failure to implement basic security controls. The risk is amplified by the fact that these devices typically remain in production for extended periods without proper security updates or credential management.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action to address the hardcoded credentials and implement proper security controls. Organizations should conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all affected devices and immediately change the default administrative passwords to strong, unique credentials that follow established password policies. The implementation of network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact of credential compromise by restricting network access to these devices. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unauthorized access attempts or unusual administrative activities on these systems. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-798, which specifically addresses the use of hard-coded credentials, and represents a clear violation of ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and legitimate credentials. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be implemented to ensure that all networked devices are properly configured and that default credentials are changed according to security best practices. The incident also underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing proper device lifecycle management processes to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future deployments.