CVE-2021-3705 in LaserJet Pro
Summary
by MITRE • 11/01/2021
Potential security vulnerabilities have been discovered on a certain HP LaserJet Pro printer that may allow an unauthorized user to reconfigure, reset the device.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/04/2021
The CVE-2021-3705 vulnerability affects HP LaserJet Pro printer models and represents a significant security weakness that enables unauthorized users to manipulate device configuration settings. This vulnerability stems from insufficient authentication mechanisms and weak access controls within the printer's web interface and administrative functions. The flaw allows attackers to potentially reconfigure printer settings, reset device parameters, and modify critical operational configurations without proper authorization. Such vulnerabilities are particularly concerning in enterprise environments where printers often serve as entry points for broader network infiltration attempts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves weaknesses in the printer's authentication and authorization frameworks that govern administrative access to device configuration functions. Attackers can exploit this issue through unauthenticated network connections to manipulate printer settings, potentially leading to device misconfiguration that could disrupt printing operations or create security gaps. The vulnerability specifically impacts the printer's web-based management interface and administrative protocols that lack robust authentication requirements. This weakness aligns with CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues, and represents a classic case of insufficient access control mechanisms. The vulnerability can be exploited through network-based attacks that do not require physical access to the device, making it particularly dangerous in shared or publicly accessible environments.
From an operational perspective, the impact of CVE-2021-3705 extends beyond simple device misconfiguration to potentially enable more sophisticated attack vectors. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could reset printer security settings, disable logging capabilities, or modify network configurations to redirect traffic through malicious endpoints. The vulnerability creates opportunities for persistent threats that could remain undetected while allowing continued unauthorized access to printer functions. This represents a significant concern for organizations implementing zero-trust security models where device integrity and access control are paramount. The vulnerability could be leveraged as part of broader attack campaigns targeting network infrastructure, potentially serving as a stepping stone for more extensive network compromise.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying manufacturer security patches, configuring strong authentication mechanisms for printer administrative interfaces, and restricting network access to printer management functions. Network segmentation strategies should isolate printer devices from critical network segments, while implementing firewall rules to limit access to printer administrative ports. Regular security audits of printer configurations should be conducted to identify and remediate unauthorized changes. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of securing Internet of Things devices and embedded systems, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring to detect unusual printer configuration changes that might indicate exploitation attempts, ensuring comprehensive security coverage for all networked devices.