CVE-2018-20771 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 unauthenticated Remote Command Execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/29/2020
This vulnerability represents a critical remote command execution flaw affecting multiple Xerox WorkCentre multifunction printer models including the 3655, 58XX, 59XX, 6655, 72XX, 78XX, 7970, EC7836, and EC7856 series. The issue exists in firmware versions prior to R18-05 073.xxx.0487.15000, indicating a widespread exposure across several product generations. The vulnerability stems from insufficient authentication mechanisms that allow any remote attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the affected devices without requiring valid credentials or prior access. This represents a fundamental flaw in the device's security architecture where the authentication layer has been completely bypassed, enabling attackers to gain full control over the affected systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows an attacker to remotely submit commands to the device's processing system through network interfaces without proper verification of the command source. The flaw likely exists in the web-based management interface or network service handling of command requests, where input validation and authentication checks have been omitted or improperly implemented. This aligns with CWE-863, which describes "Incorrect Authorization" where the system fails to properly verify that an actor is authorized to perform a requested action. The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution as it provides attackers with complete administrative control over the affected devices, potentially enabling them to modify device configurations, access stored data, or use the devices as entry points for further network attacks.
The operational implications of this vulnerability are severe for enterprise environments where these devices are commonly deployed. Multifunction printers often serve as network endpoints with access to internal networks and may contain sensitive information from print jobs, user credentials, or system configurations. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access points within the network, potentially using the devices as staging areas for lateral movement or to conduct man-in-the-middle attacks. The vulnerability also increases the attack surface for credential harvesting attacks, as printers frequently store user information and may be used to capture authentication information. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1071.004 for Application Layer Protocol, representing the exploitation of remote command execution capabilities and network protocol abuse respectively. Organizations may face regulatory compliance issues if sensitive data is accessed or compromised through these devices, particularly in environments governed by standards such as HIPAA, PCI DSS, or GDPR.
The recommended mitigation strategies include immediate firmware updates to the latest available versions that address this authentication bypass vulnerability. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to isolate these devices from critical network segments and apply network access control lists to restrict access to only authorized personnel. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary network services, implementing network monitoring to detect unusual command execution patterns, and conducting thorough security assessments of all printer deployments. Regular vulnerability scanning and patch management programs should be established to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date firmware and implementing proper network security controls for IoT and OT devices that are often overlooked in traditional security assessments.