CVE-2019-10960 in Printer
Summary
by MITRE
Zebra Industrial Printers All Versions, Zebra printers are shipped with unrestricted end-user access to front panel options. If the option to use a passcode to limit the functionality of the front panel is applied, specially crafted packets could be sent over the same network to a port on the printer and the printer will respond with an array of information that includes the front panel passcode for the printer. Once the passcode is retrieved, an attacker must have physical access to the front panel of the printer to enter the passcode to access the full functionality of the front panel.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2023
The vulnerability described in CVE-2019-10960 represents a critical security flaw in Zebra Industrial Printers that exposes sensitive authentication mechanisms through improper network protocol handling. This weakness stems from the default configuration of these industrial printing devices which provide unrestricted access to front panel controls without requiring authentication. The issue becomes particularly concerning when administrators attempt to enhance security by implementing passcode protection for front panel functionality, as this protective measure contains a fundamental design flaw that undermines its effectiveness.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through network-based attacks that leverage specially crafted packets transmitted to specific ports on the affected printers. When these packets are received, the printer responds with detailed information including the stored front panel passcode, effectively bypassing the intended security controls. This behavior demonstrates a classic improper input validation issue where the device fails to properly authenticate or authorize incoming network requests before responding with sensitive information. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and affects the printer's web interface or network management protocols, making it accessible to attackers who can reach the device over the network without requiring physical proximity.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates a pathway for unauthorized access to industrial printing environments that could have significant consequences for manufacturing and production processes. Once an attacker obtains the passcode, they can gain access to the full front panel functionality of the printer, potentially allowing them to modify critical print settings, access sensitive documents, or disrupt production workflows. This represents a serious concern for industrial control systems where printer security is often overlooked despite the critical role these devices play in manufacturing operations. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where industrial printers are connected to corporate networks and where physical security measures may be insufficient.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-200, which addresses "Information Exposure," and CWE-312, which covers "Sensitive Data Exposure." The flaw also relates to ATT&CK technique T1210, "Exploitation of Remote Services," as it enables attackers to remotely extract sensitive information from network-accessible industrial devices. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to isolate industrial printers from general corporate networks, disabling unnecessary network services on printer devices, and applying firmware updates when available. Physical access controls should be maintained to prevent unauthorized individuals from exploiting the retrieved passcodes, while network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual traffic patterns associated with this specific vulnerability. The incident highlights the importance of proper authentication design in industrial IoT devices and demonstrates why security-by-default configurations are essential for critical infrastructure components.