CVE-2005-2646 in Document Centre 440
Summary
by MITRE
Unknown vulnerability in Xerox MicroServer Web Server in Document Centre 220 through 265, 332 and 340, 420 through 490, and 535 through 555 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or read files via unknown vectors involving crafted HTTP requests.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/26/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2646 affects the Xerox MicroServer Web Server component embedded within various Xerox Document Centre models ranging from series 220 through 265, 332 and 340, 420 through 490, and 535 through 555. This represents a critical security flaw in enterprise document management systems that serve as foundational infrastructure for business operations. The affected devices operate as web servers within the printing and document processing ecosystem, making them attractive targets for adversaries seeking to disrupt business continuity or gain unauthorized access to sensitive information.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the HTTP request processing mechanism of the MicroServer web interface. Attackers can exploit this weakness through carefully crafted HTTP requests that trigger unexpected behavior in the server implementation. The vulnerability manifests as either a denial of service condition that renders the device inoperable or unauthorized file reading capabilities that could expose sensitive system information, configuration files, or potentially confidential data processed through the document center devices. This dual nature of impact makes the vulnerability particularly concerning as it can be leveraged for both operational disruption and information disclosure attacks.
From an operational perspective, the exploitation of CVE-2005-2646 presents significant business risks for organizations relying on these Xerox devices. The denial of service component can halt critical document processing workflows, impacting productivity and potentially causing financial losses during peak operational periods. The file reading capability introduces additional security concerns as it may allow attackers to extract system configuration details, user credentials, or other sensitive data that could be used for further attacks. These devices often serve as gateways for document processing within corporate networks, making them potential entry points for broader network infiltration attempts. The vulnerability affects multiple generations of Xerox Document Centre devices, suggesting a systemic flaw in the web server implementation that requires comprehensive remediation across affected product lines.
The attack surface for this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote exploitation as it represents a fundamental flaw in the HTTP request handling architecture. This type of vulnerability typically falls under the category of improper input validation, which aligns with CWE-20 - Improper Input Validation, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application. The fact that the vulnerability allows for both denial of service and information disclosure indicates a lack of proper error handling and access control mechanisms within the web server implementation. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation to isolate these devices from critical business systems and deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious HTTP traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date firmware and security patches for embedded systems, as many of these devices may not receive regular security updates from vendors, leaving them exposed to known exploits for extended periods.