CVE-2008-0374 in C5510 Mfp Printer
Summary
by MITRE
OKI C5510MFP Printer CU H2.15, PU 01.03.01, System F/W 1.01, and Web Page 1.00 sends the configuration of the printer in cleartext, which allows remote attackers to obtain the administrative password by connecting to TCP port 5548 or 7777.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/05/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-0374 represents a critical security flaw in OKI C5510MFP multifunction printer devices running specific firmware versions. This issue stems from the printer's improper handling of network communications, specifically in how it transmits sensitive configuration data over the network. The affected device operates with firmware versions CU H2.15, PU 01.03.01, System F/W 1.01, and Web Page 1.00, making it susceptible to unauthorized access through network-based attacks. The flaw manifests when the printer sends its configuration information in cleartext format, a practice that violates fundamental security principles for network communications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the printer's network services listening on well-known TCP ports 5548 and 7777, which are commonly used for various printer management and communication protocols. When remote attackers establish connections to these ports, they can intercept the cleartext transmission containing administrative credentials and other sensitive configuration parameters. This represents a classic example of weak cryptography and insecure communication practices, where the device fails to implement proper encryption mechanisms for sensitive data transmission. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-312, which describes the exposure of sensitive information through cleartext transmission, and CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic issues in data transmission.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for organizations utilizing these specific printer models. Remote attackers can gain full administrative control over the affected devices without requiring physical access or complex exploitation techniques. This level of access allows malicious actors to modify printer configurations, implement unauthorized network settings, monitor print jobs, and potentially use the compromised device as a pivot point for further attacks within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where printer security is often overlooked, creating a potential backdoor that could be exploited to gain unauthorized access to sensitive network resources. Attackers could leverage this access to conduct man-in-the-middle attacks, modify print queue settings, or even redirect print jobs to unauthorized destinations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate network-level protections and long-term device management approaches. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate printer devices from critical network segments and deploy firewalls to block access to the vulnerable ports 5548 and 7777 from untrusted networks. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual traffic patterns on these ports, and administrators should consider implementing network access control lists to restrict access to authorized personnel only. Additionally, the affected devices should be upgraded to firmware versions that properly encrypt configuration data transmission, though this may not be possible if the manufacturer has discontinued support for these legacy models. The remediation process should also include comprehensive network audits to identify all affected devices and implementation of secure remote management protocols such as SSH or HTTPS for printer administration tasks. This vulnerability highlights the importance of adhering to security standards such as those defined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and demonstrates how legacy device security can create significant risks in modern network environments.