CVE-2018-16709 in DocuCentre-V 3065
Summary
by MITRE
Fuji Xerox DocuCentre-V 3065, ApeosPort-VI C3371, ApeosPort-V C4475, ApeosPort-V C3375, DocuCentre-VI C2271, ApeosPort-V C5576, DocuCentre-IV C2263, DocuCentre-V C2263, and ApeosPort-V 5070 devices allow remote attackers to read or write to files via crafted PJL commands.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/21/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-16709 affects multiple Fuji Xerox multifunction devices including various models from the DocuCentre and ApeosPort series. This security flaw resides within the printer's command processing mechanism, specifically in how it handles Printer Job Language (PJL) commands. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of PJL commands, allowing remote attackers to manipulate file system operations through specially crafted commands. These devices are commonly deployed in enterprise environments where they serve as critical components for document management and printing services, making them attractive targets for malicious actors seeking unauthorized access to sensitive data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of file operations within the PJL command interpreter. When devices receive crafted PJL commands, they fail to properly validate or sanitize the input parameters before executing file system operations. This allows attackers to construct malicious PJL commands that can read arbitrary files from the device's storage or write data to specific locations. The flaw essentially enables a form of remote code execution or data exfiltration through the printer's network interface, bypassing traditional security controls that might protect other network endpoints. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects multiple device models across different product lines, suggesting a systemic issue in the firmware implementation rather than isolated component failure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, creating potential pathways for more severe security breaches within enterprise networks. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to read configuration files, system logs, or even sensitive documents that pass through these devices. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors do not require physical access to the devices, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous for organizations with distributed printing infrastructure. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the attack pattern taxonomy under the category of remote command execution and privilege escalation. The ability to read files from the device's storage could potentially expose sensitive information such as user credentials, system configurations, or business documents that are processed through these printers.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate firmware updates from Fuji Xerox, as the company would have released patches addressing the specific input validation issues. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit network exposure of these devices, particularly by placing them in restricted network segments with limited connectivity. Additional security measures include disabling unnecessary network services, implementing network monitoring to detect suspicious PJL command patterns, and establishing regular security assessments of printing infrastructure. The vulnerability demonstrates weaknesses in the principle of least privilege and input validation that aligns with common CWE classifications related to improper input validation and inadequate file system access controls. Organizations should also consider implementing network access control lists and intrusion detection systems specifically configured to monitor for anomalous PJL command sequences that might indicate exploitation attempts.