CVE-2019-13171 in Phaser 3320
Summary
by MITRE
Some Xerox printers (such as the Phaser 3320 V53.006.16.000) were affected by one or more stack-based buffer overflow vulnerabilities in the Google Cloud Print implementation that would allow an unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code on the device. This was caused by an insecure handling of the register parameters, because the size used within a memcpy() function, which copied the action value into a local variable, was not checked properly.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/16/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2019-13171 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow affecting certain Xerox printer models including the Phaser 3320 with firmware version V53.006.16.000 and others. This flaw resides within the Google Cloud Print implementation that Xerox integrated into their devices, creating a significant security risk that could be exploited by unauthenticated attackers. The vulnerability specifically targets the handling of register parameters during the processing of print jobs submitted through the Google Cloud Print interface, making it particularly dangerous as it could be triggered remotely without requiring any authentication credentials or physical access to the device.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the memcpy() function implementation. When the system processes print job parameters, it copies data from an external source into a local buffer without adequate validation of the source data size relative to the destination buffer capacity. This insecure coding practice allows an attacker to craft malicious input that exceeds the allocated buffer space, resulting in a stack overflow condition that can overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and function pointers. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a fundamental memory safety issue that enables arbitrary code execution. This type of vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059.007 Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python and T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution, as it allows remote code execution through the exploitation of a network service.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-13171 extends beyond simple privilege escalation or denial of service scenarios. Since the vulnerability affects network-accessible printer services, attackers could potentially gain full administrative control over affected devices, enabling them to modify printer configurations, intercept print jobs, or use the compromised printers as entry points for broader network infiltration. The implications are particularly severe in enterprise environments where printers often serve as network endpoints with access to sensitive documents and may be configured with network credentials or access to internal resources. The vulnerability's exploitation capability means that an attacker could execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the print service account, potentially leading to persistent backdoor access or lateral movement within the network infrastructure. Organizations running affected Xerox printer models face significant risk of data breaches and unauthorized access to their print environments, especially since these devices typically operate in networked environments without robust security monitoring or patch management controls.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-13171 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Xerox, as the manufacturer released patches specifically addressing this vulnerability. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of affected printers to untrusted networks, including the use of firewalls to block access to the Google Cloud Print interface. Organizations should also consider disabling Google Cloud Print functionality entirely on affected devices if it is not essential for operations, as this eliminates the attack surface entirely. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual print job patterns or network traffic to the affected services, while regular vulnerability scanning should be performed to identify any remaining unpatched devices. The remediation process should also involve comprehensive network assessments to ensure that no other network services are similarly vulnerable to stack-based buffer overflows, as this class of vulnerability often indicates broader coding security issues within the affected software implementations.