CVE-2019-9935 in Lexmark
Summary
by MITRE
Various Lexmark products have Incorrect Access Control (issue 2 of 2).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/08/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-9935 represents a critical access control flaw affecting multiple Lexmark printer and multifunction device models. This weakness falls under the broader category of improper access control mechanisms that can lead to unauthorized system compromise and data exposure. The issue specifically manifests in the authentication and authorization processes of affected Lexmark devices, creating potential pathways for malicious actors to gain elevated privileges or access restricted system functions without proper credentials.
This vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of user permissions and authentication tokens within the device's firmware and network services. The flaw allows attackers to bypass normal access controls through various attack vectors including network-based exploitation and potentially local access methods. The affected Lexmark products typically include a range of business printers, multifunction devices, and networked printing solutions that implement web-based management interfaces and network protocols for device administration. The vulnerability affects devices running specific firmware versions where access control mechanisms fail to properly enforce authorization checks, particularly when processing administrative commands or accessing sensitive configuration parameters.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-9935 extends beyond simple unauthorized access to include potential system compromise and data breach scenarios. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could gain administrative privileges on affected devices, enabling them to modify device configurations, access stored print jobs, extract sensitive information, or establish persistent access points within network environments. The risk is particularly elevated in enterprise environments where Lexmark devices are integrated into larger network infrastructures, as compromised devices can serve as entry points for lateral movement attacks. Additionally, the vulnerability could enable attackers to manipulate print queues, redirect print jobs, or disable security features, potentially disrupting business operations and creating opportunities for further exploitation.
Security professionals should note this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which specifically addresses improper access control issues in software systems. The flaw also maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1078 for valid accounts usage and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including firmware updates from Lexmark, network segmentation to isolate affected devices, and enhanced monitoring of device access logs. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper authentication implementation in embedded systems and networked devices, particularly those handling sensitive business data. Regular security assessments of printer and device management systems should include thorough access control reviews to identify similar weaknesses that could be exploited by threat actors.