CVE-2018-11581 in HL-L2340D
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability on Brother HL-L2340D and HL-L2380DW series printers allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the url parameter to etc/loginerror.html.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/19/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-11581 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting Brother HL-L2340D and HL-L2380DW series network printers. This weakness resides in the web interface implementation of these devices, specifically within the login error handling mechanism. The vulnerability manifests when the printer's web server processes the url parameter in requests directed to the etc/loginerror.html endpoint without proper input sanitization or validation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the url parameter in HTTP requests sent to the printer's web interface. When an attacker crafts a malicious request containing crafted script code within the url parameter, the printer fails to properly escape or validate this input before rendering it in the error page. This allows arbitrary web scripts or HTML content to be executed within the context of a user's browser session, potentially enabling session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability classifies under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize user input before incorporating it into dynamically generated web content, making it a classic XSS attack vector.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with a means to compromise printer-based network environments. Network printers with web interfaces often serve as entry points for lateral movement within corporate networks, particularly when they are accessible from untrusted networks or when users with administrative privileges access them from compromised endpoints. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access points, redirect users to phishing sites, or execute malicious scripts that could capture network credentials or sensitive information transmitted through the printer's web interface. The vulnerability affects the printer's authentication and authorization mechanisms, potentially allowing attackers to bypass normal access controls and gain unauthorized access to printer configuration settings.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should encompass both immediate and long-term security measures. Immediate actions include disabling the web interface on affected printers where possible, implementing network segmentation to isolate printer networks, and applying firmware updates provided by Brother to address the XSS flaw. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls or proxy solutions that can filter malicious input before it reaches the printer's web interface. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual traffic patterns or attempts to exploit the url parameter. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1071.004 for application layer protocol: DNS and T1566 for credential access through social engineering, as attackers may use the XSS to redirect users to credential harvesting sites. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output encoding practices for all web applications, as recommended by OWASP, would prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in printer firmware implementations.