CVE-2018-20769 in WorkCentre
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered on Xerox WorkCentre 3655, 3655i, 58XX, 58XXi, 59XX, 59XXi, 6655, 6655i, 72XX, 72XXi, 78XX, 78XXi, 7970, 7970i, EC7836, and EC7856 devices before R18-05 073.xxx.0487.15000. There is a Local File Inclusion vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/29/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-20769 represents a critical local file inclusion flaw affecting multiple Xerox WorkCentre multifunction printer models including the 3655, 58XX, 59XX, 6655, 72XX, 78XX, 7970, and EC7836 series. This security weakness exists within the web-based management interface of these devices and allows unauthorized users to access sensitive system files through improper input validation. The vulnerability specifically impacts devices running firmware versions prior to R18-05 073.xxx.0487.15000, indicating that this flaw has been present in the product line for an extended period. The affected models represent a significant portion of Xerox's enterprise printing fleet, making this vulnerability particularly concerning from a widespread impact perspective.
The technical implementation of this local file inclusion vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied input parameters within the web interface components of these multifunction devices. Attackers can exploit this weakness by manipulating input fields that handle file paths or parameters used in file operations, potentially enabling them to read arbitrary files from the device's file system. This includes access to configuration files, authentication credentials, system logs, and other sensitive data that may be stored on the device's internal storage. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires minimal privileges to exploit, as the affected devices typically allow unauthenticated access to their web interfaces for basic operational functions. The flaw aligns with CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can enable attackers to gain deeper insights into the device's internal architecture and potentially escalate their privileges. An attacker with access to the device's web interface could extract sensitive information such as administrative passwords, network configuration details, or system logs that may contain valuable intelligence for further attacks. The vulnerability also poses risks to the broader network infrastructure, as compromised multifunction printers can serve as entry points for lateral movement within corporate networks. Organizations using these affected devices face potential compliance violations and security breaches that could result in significant financial and reputational damage. The presence of this vulnerability in enterprise printing infrastructure is particularly concerning given that many organizations treat these devices as trusted network endpoints without proper security monitoring.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Xerox to address the identified local file inclusion flaw. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to isolate these devices from critical network segments and restrict access to their web interfaces through firewall rules and access control lists. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual file access patterns or attempts to manipulate web interface parameters. Security administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their printing infrastructure to identify other potentially affected devices and ensure proper patch management processes are in place. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary web services on these devices, implementing strong authentication mechanisms, and regularly auditing access logs for suspicious activities. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date firmware across all networked devices and aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to credential access and privilege escalation through exploitation of software vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing network access control policies that limit the ability of these devices to access sensitive network resources and establish procedures for regular security assessments of their multifunction printer fleet.