CVE-2018-19232 in WorkForce WF-2861
Summary
by MITRE
The web service on Epson WorkForce WF-2861 10.48 LQ22I3(Recovery-mode), WF-2861 10.51.LQ20I6, and WF-2861 10.52.LQ17IA devices allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service via a FIRMWAREUPDATE GET request, as demonstrated by the /DOWN/FIRMWAREUPDATE/ROM1 URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/24/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-19232 affects Epson WorkForce WF-2861 series multifunction printers, specifically versions 10.48 LQ22I3 in recovery mode, 10.51.LQ20I6, and 10.52.LQ17IA. This issue represents a critical denial of service vulnerability that can be exploited remotely through the device's web service interface. The affected devices are network-connected printers that provide web-based management capabilities, making them accessible over the network to potential attackers. The vulnerability specifically targets the firmware update functionality of these devices, which is exposed through the HTTP GET request mechanism.
The technical flaw manifests when the web service receives a specially crafted FIRMWAREUPDATE GET request directed to the /DOWN/FIRMWAREUPDATE/ROM1 URI. This particular endpoint in the device's web interface lacks proper input validation and request handling mechanisms, allowing an attacker to send malformed or excessive requests that cause the device's web service to crash or become unresponsive. The vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied input parameters and insufficient error handling within the firmware update processing component. This weakness falls under the category of improper input validation as classified by CWE-20, which is a fundamental security principle that should be enforced at all levels of application development and network service implementation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows remote attackers to cause a complete denial of service on the affected Epson printers. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability renders the printer's web management interface inaccessible, effectively preventing legitimate users from performing routine maintenance, configuration changes, or monitoring activities through the network interface. This disruption can lead to business continuity issues, particularly in environments where these printers are critical components of document management workflows. The attack can be executed without authentication requirements, making it particularly dangerous as any remote user can potentially exploit this weakness. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which covers network denial of service attacks, and represents a classic example of how embedded network services can become attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate network-level protections and firmware updates. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate these devices from critical network segments and apply access control lists to restrict access to the web management interface. The most effective long-term solution involves applying the official firmware updates provided by Epson to address the underlying implementation flaw in the web service handling. Network administrators should also consider disabling unnecessary web services or features that are not required for daily operations. Additionally, monitoring network traffic for suspicious GET requests targeting the vulnerable URI pattern can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure web service implementation in embedded devices and underscores the need for proper input validation and error handling mechanisms as recommended by OWASP Top Ten security principles and NIST cybersecurity frameworks.