CVE-2006-6434 in WorkCentre
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Web User Interface in Xerox WorkCentre and WorkCentre Pro before 12.050.03.000, 13.x before 13.050.03.000, and 14.x before 14.050.03.000 allows remote attackers to bypass authentication controls via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/03/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-6434 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw within the web user interface of Xerox WorkCentre and WorkCentre Pro multifunction devices. This issue affects multiple firmware versions including those before 12.050.03.000, 13.x before 13.050.03.000, and 14.x before 14.050.03.000, indicating a widespread vulnerability across the product line that could potentially compromise numerous enterprise printing environments. The unspecified nature of the attack vectors suggests that multiple pathways exist for exploitation, making the vulnerability particularly concerning from a security perspective.
The technical flaw lies in the web user interface implementation where authentication controls have been improperly configured or implemented, allowing unauthorized remote access to administrative functions without proper credential verification. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-287 category of Improper Authentication, which specifically addresses weaknesses in authentication mechanisms that can lead to unauthorized access. The vulnerability enables attackers to bypass the standard authentication procedures that should normally be required to access sensitive administrative interfaces, potentially granting them full control over the device configuration and access to sensitive print jobs or network information.
From an operational impact standpoint, this vulnerability creates significant risk for enterprise environments where Xerox WorkCentre devices are deployed. Remote attackers could exploit this flaw to gain administrative access to print servers, potentially leading to unauthorized document processing, configuration changes, or even network infiltration through the device as a potential entry point. The attack surface is particularly concerning in networked environments where these devices may be accessible from external networks or where insufficient network segmentation exists. The vulnerability could enable attackers to perform actions such as modifying printer settings, accessing print queues, or potentially using the device as a pivot point for further attacks within the network infrastructure.
The security implications extend beyond simple unauthorized access, as this vulnerability could facilitate more sophisticated attack patterns that align with ATT&CK framework techniques such as T1078 Valid Accounts and T1566 Phishing. Organizations may find their print environments compromised, leading to potential data exfiltration or disruption of business operations. The remote nature of the attack vector means that adversaries could exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the devices. Mitigation strategies should include immediate firmware updates to the patched versions, network segmentation to isolate these devices, implementation of strong access controls, and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider disabling unnecessary web interfaces when not required for operations, as this reduces the attack surface for such authentication bypass vulnerabilities.