CVE-2018-17944 in Device
Summary
by MITRE
On certain Lexmark devices that communicate with an LDAP or SMTP server, a malicious administrator can discover LDAP or SMTP credentials by changing that server's hostname to one that they control, and then capturing the credentials that are sent there. This occurs because stored credentials are not automatically deleted upon that type of hostname change.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/15/2020
This vulnerability exists in Lexmark printing devices that utilize LDAP or SMTP server communications for authentication and email functions. The flaw represents a critical configuration management issue where the device fails to properly handle credential invalidation during server hostname changes. When an administrator modifies the LDAP or SMTP server hostname to point to a malicious server they control, the device continues to attempt communication using previously stored credentials, which are then captured by the attacker. This vulnerability stems from inadequate credential lifecycle management within the device's configuration handling mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the device's failure to automatically purge or invalidate stored authentication credentials when hostname changes occur. According to CWE-200, this represents a weakness in information exposure where sensitive data is unintentionally disclosed to unauthorized actors. The vulnerability specifically targets the device's configuration management system where server parameters are updated without proper credential sanitization procedures. This creates an attack surface where an authenticated malicious administrator can exploit the device's trust relationship with previously configured servers.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability allows attackers to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to network resources through credential theft. The attack requires only a malicious administrator account with sufficient privileges to modify server configurations, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrative access is not properly segmented. The captured credentials can then be used to access LDAP directories or SMTP services, potentially enabling further lateral movement within the network. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1555.003, which covers credentials from password hashes, as the stolen credentials can be used for additional authentication attempts.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate credential theft to potential network compromise and data exfiltration. Once attackers obtain valid LDAP or SMTP credentials, they can access user directories, send emails on behalf of the organization, or perform directory operations that may reveal sensitive information about network users and systems. The lack of automatic credential deletion upon hostname changes creates a persistent threat vector where compromised credentials remain valid until manually removed by administrators. Organizations should implement strict configuration change controls and regular credential audits to mitigate this risk, as the vulnerability can remain undetected for extended periods if not properly monitored.