CVE-2018-19248 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 upload a firmware file and reset the printer without authentication by making a request to the /DOWN/FIRMWAREUPDATE/ROM1 URI and a POST request to the /FIRMWAREUPDATE URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/24/2020
This vulnerability exists in Epson WorkForce printer models including the WF-2861 series with specific firmware versions 10.48 LQ22I3, 10.51.LQ20I6, and 10.52.LQ17IA. The issue stems from improper authentication mechanisms within the device's web service interface that allows unauthorized remote attackers to perform critical system operations. The vulnerability is classified as a lack of authentication control which directly violates the principle of least privilege and authentication requirements as defined in the CWE-287 standard. Attackers can exploit this flaw by sending specifically crafted HTTP requests to two distinct endpoints: the /DOWN/FIRMWAREUPDATE/ROM1 URI for firmware file upload and the /FIRMWAREUPDATE URI for triggering the reset operation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the web service failing to validate the identity of users attempting to access administrative functions. When an attacker sends a POST request to the /FIRMWAREUPDATE URI without proper authentication credentials, the system accepts the request and proceeds with the firmware update process. This creates a critical security gap where malicious actors can upload arbitrary firmware files and subsequently reset the device, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability represents a failure in access control mechanisms and falls under the ATT&CK technique T1059.005 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with the ability to perform remote firmware manipulation on networked printers. This capability can be leveraged to install malicious firmware that persists across reboots, potentially enabling persistent backdoors or complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects the availability and integrity of the printer's operations, as unauthorized parties can reset the device at will, disrupting business operations. Additionally, the ability to upload firmware files means that attackers could potentially install malicious code that monitors network traffic or provides unauthorized access to the local network. The printer's recovery mode functionality appears to be particularly vulnerable, as the exploitation occurs even in recovery contexts where additional security measures might be expected.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper authentication mechanisms for all administrative endpoints, including the specific URIs mentioned in the vulnerability. Network segmentation should be employed to isolate printer devices from critical network segments, and access controls should be configured to limit which systems can communicate with printer web services. Regular firmware updates should be applied to address known vulnerabilities, and network monitoring should be implemented to detect unusual traffic patterns associated with firmware upload attempts. The affected devices should be configured to disable unnecessary web services or restrict access to authorized administrative networks only. Organizations should also consider implementing network access control lists to prevent unauthorized access to the printer's management interfaces and ensure that only authenticated administrators can perform firmware update operations.