CVE-2020-35546 in MX6500
Summary
by MITRE • 02/19/2025
Lexmark MX6500 LW75.JD.P296 and previous devices have Incorrect Access Control via the access control settings.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/20/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-35546 affects Lexmark MX6500 series printers with firmware versions LW75.JD.P296 and earlier, representing a critical access control flaw that undermines the security posture of these networked devices. This issue stems from improper implementation of access control mechanisms within the printer's firmware, specifically within the web-based administration interface and associated network services. The vulnerability allows unauthorized users to bypass authentication checks and gain elevated privileges, potentially enabling full administrative control over the affected devices. The flaw exists in the device's access control settings where insufficient validation occurs during privilege escalation attempts, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system's security model.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the printer's authentication and authorization framework, where the access control logic fails to properly validate user credentials and privilege levels. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specific requests that manipulate the authentication flow, allowing them to access restricted administrative functions without proper authorization. This misconfiguration creates a persistent security gap that remains active across multiple network protocols and interfaces, including HTTP-based management services and potentially SNMP or other network management protocols. The vulnerability demonstrates poor adherence to secure coding practices and inadequate input validation within the printer's firmware architecture, creating an attack surface that can be leveraged for lateral movement within corporate networks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as compromised printers can serve as footholds for broader network infiltration and data exfiltration activities. Organizations relying on Lexmark MX6500 series devices face significant risks including potential print job manipulation, confidential document exposure, and the possibility of using the compromised devices as launch points for attacks against other networked systems. The vulnerability's persistence across firmware versions indicates a fundamental flaw in the device's security architecture that requires immediate attention. This weakness particularly affects enterprise environments where printers are often connected to internal networks and may have access to sensitive corporate resources, making the exploitation of such vulnerabilities particularly concerning from a risk management perspective.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-35546 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Lexmark to address the access control implementation flaws. Organizations must also implement network segmentation to isolate affected devices from critical network segments and deploy network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous access patterns. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 which describes improper access control issues, and may be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1046 for network service scanning. Additional security measures include implementing strong network access controls, regular security audits of networked devices, and ensuring that all networked equipment receives timely security updates. Organizations should also consider disabling unnecessary network services and ports on affected devices until proper patches are applied, while maintaining detailed logs of device access attempts to identify potential exploitation attempts.