CVE-2009-1656 in WorkCentre
Summary
by MITRE
Xerox WorkCentre and WorkCentre Pro 232, 238, 245, 255, 265, 275; and WorkCentre 5632, 5638, 5645, 5655, 5665, 5675, 5687, 7655, 7656, and 7675 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via unknown attack vectors, aka "command injection vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/04/2019
The CVE-2009-1656 vulnerability represents a critical command injection flaw affecting multiple Xerox WorkCentre multifunction devices across various model series. This vulnerability exists within the web-based management interface of these devices, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the affected systems. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the device's web server implementation, allowing maliciously crafted requests to be interpreted as system commands rather than benign user input. The affected models span across both older and newer generations of Xerox multifunction printers, including the 232, 238, 245, 255, 265, 275 series as well as the 5632, 5638, 5645, 5655, 5665, 5675, 5687, 7655, 7656, and 7675 models, indicating a widespread issue affecting the entire product line. This vulnerability is classified as a command injection vulnerability under CWE-77, which specifically addresses situations where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into command execution without proper sanitization. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it enables remote exploitation, meaning an attacker does not require physical access to the device or network proximity to the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, potentially allowing attackers to gain complete control over the affected devices. Successful exploitation could enable unauthorized users to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the web server process, which typically runs with elevated permissions on the device. Attackers could potentially modify device configurations, access stored documents, intercept print jobs, or use the compromised devices as entry points for further network infiltration. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers could exploit it from anywhere on the internet, making it particularly dangerous in environments where these devices are connected to corporate networks or exposed to external network traffic. Additionally, the compromised devices could be used as command and control centers for botnet activities or as staging areas for attacks against other networked systems. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, and T1071, which addresses application layer protocol usage for communication. The vulnerability essentially transforms these multifunction devices into potential attack vectors that could compromise entire network infrastructures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-1656 should focus on immediate network-level protections combined with device-specific remediation measures. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate these devices from critical network segments and apply firewall rules to restrict access to the device's web management interface to trusted IP addresses only. The most effective long-term solution involves applying official firmware updates provided by Xerox, which would include proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms to prevent command injection attacks. Network administrators should also consider disabling unnecessary web services and features on these devices, particularly if they are not actively used for remote management. Regular security audits should be conducted to verify that all devices are running patched firmware versions and that access controls are properly configured. Additional defensive measures include implementing network monitoring to detect unusual traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts and establishing incident response procedures specific to device compromise scenarios. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and input validation in embedded systems, aligning with security standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST guidelines for secure software development. Organizations should also consider implementing device management solutions that can automatically patch and monitor these devices for known vulnerabilities, reducing the window of exposure for such critical flaws.