CVE-2018-14900 in WF-2750
Summary
by MITRE
On EPSON WF-2750 printers with firmware JP02I2, there is no filtering of print jobs. Remote attackers can send print jobs directly to the printer via TCP port 9100.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/19/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-14900 affects EPSON WF-2750 multifunction printers running firmware version JP02I2, representing a critical security flaw in networked printing infrastructure. This issue stems from the absence of proper access controls and print job validation mechanisms within the printer's network interface, creating an exploitable condition that allows unauthorized remote execution of print operations. The vulnerability specifically impacts the printer's TCP port 9100 which serves as the standard port for raw printing protocols, making it a well-known target for network-based attacks against printer systems.
The technical flaw manifests as a complete lack of input validation and authentication checks for print job submissions, placing the device in a state where any remote attacker can establish a TCP connection to port 9100 and transmit print data without prior authorization. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-284, which describes improper access control conditions, and represents a classic example of inadequate privilege management in network services. The absence of filtering mechanisms means that print jobs can be submitted from any network location without verification of the sender's identity or authorization status, creating an open attack surface that violates fundamental security principles for networked devices.
Operationally, this vulnerability enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary print jobs on the affected printer, potentially leading to various security incidents including unauthorized document printing, denial of service conditions through resource exhaustion, and possible data leakage through the printing of sensitive content. The impact extends beyond simple unauthorized printing as attackers could potentially exploit this condition to cause printer malfunctions, consume excessive resources, or even use the printer as a staging point for further network attacks. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on networked printing environments, particularly those without proper network segmentation or firewall rules to restrict access to printer ports.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate implementation of network access controls to restrict access to TCP port 9100, requiring authentication and authorization for print job submission. Organizations should deploy firewall rules to block external access to printer ports and implement network segmentation to isolate printing infrastructure from general network traffic. The printer firmware should be updated to the latest available version from EPSON to address the underlying access control deficiencies. Additionally, network monitoring should be implemented to detect unusual print job patterns or unauthorized access attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques involving network service exploitation and lateral movement through unsecured network devices, making it a critical target for defensive security measures and incident response planning.