CVE-2019-20458 in Expression Home XP255
Summary
by MITRE • 11/07/2024
An issue was discovered on Epson Expression Home XP255 20.08.FM10I8 devices. By default, the device comes (and functions) without a password. The user is at no point prompted to set up a password on the device (leaving a number of devices without a password). In this case, anyone connecting to the web admin panel is capable of becoming admin without using any credentials.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/07/2024
This vulnerability exists within Epson Expression Home XP255 printers running firmware version 20.08.FM10I8, representing a critical authentication flaw that compromises device security through default configuration settings. The issue stems from the printer's design where no administrative password is required for access to the web-based administration panel, creating an inherent security weakness that persists across device deployments without manual intervention. This configuration violates fundamental security principles by providing unrestricted administrative access to any network-connected user who can reach the device's web interface, effectively eliminating any barrier to unauthorized administrative control.
The technical flaw manifests as a complete absence of mandatory authentication requirements during the initial device setup process, specifically failing to implement or enforce password creation for administrative accounts. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-326, which addresses the weakness of insufficient access control mechanisms, and aligns with CWE-798, which covers the use of hardcoded credentials or default passwords in security-critical systems. The printer's web administration interface operates without any credential validation, allowing attackers to gain full administrative privileges simply by accessing the web panel, which represents a fundamental failure in the device's security architecture.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it enables any individual with network access to the device to assume complete administrative control without requiring any authentication credentials. This provides attackers with unrestricted access to device configuration settings, network parameters, and potentially sensitive data processing capabilities. The vulnerability creates a persistent security risk that affects all devices shipped with this firmware version, as the default configuration does not include password enforcement, leaving devices vulnerable to exploitation in both corporate and home environments. This weakness can be exploited by attackers who gain network access through various vectors including compromised devices on the same network or through direct network exposure.
Organizations and individuals should immediately implement mitigations including network segmentation to isolate these devices from critical systems, deploying firewall rules to restrict access to the printer's web interface, and considering physical network access controls to prevent unauthorized connections. Device administrators should also consider implementing network monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts and regularly review network configurations to ensure proper access controls are in place. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure default configurations as outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, where devices should be configured with security in mind rather than relying on user intervention. Additionally, this issue aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and credential access, as the vulnerability allows unauthorized access through legitimate administrative interfaces without requiring credential theft or brute force attacks.