CVE-2020-36201 in WorkCentre
Summary
by MITRE • 01/26/2021
An issue was discovered in certain Xerox WorkCentre products. They do not properly encrypt passwords. This affects 3655, 3655i, 58XX, 58XXi 59XX, 59XXi, 6655, 6655i, 72XX, 72XXi 78XX, 78XXi, 7970, 7970i, EC7836, and EC7856 devices.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/19/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-36201 represents a critical security flaw in multiple Xerox WorkCentre multifunction devices that fail to properly encrypt passwords during transmission and storage operations. This weakness affects a broad range of models including the 3655, 3655i, 58XX, 58XXi, 59XX, 59XXi, 6655, 6655i, 72XX, 72XXi, 78XX, 78XXi, 7970, 7970i, EC7836, and EC7856 device families. The improper encryption implementation creates a significant exposure in enterprise environments where these devices are commonly deployed for printing, scanning, and document management functions. This vulnerability falls under the category of weak cryptographic implementation as classified by CWE-327, specifically addressing the use of inadequate encryption algorithms or protocols that fail to provide adequate protection for sensitive data.
The technical flaw manifests when users input passwords for authentication or administrative access to these multifunction devices. Instead of utilizing robust encryption mechanisms such as TLS 1.2 or higher with strong cipher suites, the affected devices employ insufficient encryption methods that can be easily intercepted or reverse-engineered by malicious actors. This weakness allows unauthorized individuals to capture network traffic containing password credentials, potentially gaining access to device administrative functions, printer queues, and sensitive document processing capabilities. The vulnerability represents a failure in the secure handling of authentication tokens and credentials, creating opportunities for privilege escalation and unauthorized system access. According to ATT&CK framework, this issue maps to T1566.001 (Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment) and T1078.004 (Valid Accounts: Cloud Accounts) as attackers could leverage captured credentials to establish persistent access to network resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as these multifunction devices often serve as critical components in enterprise document workflows and network infrastructure. Attackers who successfully exploit this weakness could gain unauthorized access to sensitive corporate documents, modify print queues, or establish persistent backdoors through administrative access to these devices. The vulnerability affects not only the immediate device security but also creates potential lateral movement opportunities within network environments where these devices are connected to corporate networks. Organizations using these affected Xerox devices face significant risks including data breaches, unauthorized document processing, and potential compromise of network access controls. The vulnerability's impact is amplified in environments where these devices lack proper network segmentation or additional security controls to isolate them from critical internal systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-36201 should focus on immediate implementation of network security controls including mandatory use of encrypted communication protocols, network segmentation of device access, and enforcement of strong authentication mechanisms. Organizations should implement network monitoring to detect anomalous traffic patterns that may indicate credential interception attempts, and consider deploying network access control solutions to restrict device connectivity. Device firmware updates from Xerox should be prioritized to address the underlying encryption implementation flaws, though administrators should verify that updates properly implement industry-standard encryption protocols. Security teams should conduct comprehensive audits of all multifunction device deployments to identify and isolate affected systems, while implementing additional authentication layers such as two-factor authentication for administrative access. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure device configuration and management practices, emphasizing the need for regular security assessments and adherence to security standards such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO/IEC 27001 for enterprise device security management.