CVE-2021-42913 in SCX-6x55X
Summary
by MITRE • 12/20/2021
The SyncThru Web Service on Samsung SCX-6x55X printers allows an attacker to gain access to a list of SMB users and cleartext passwords by reading the HTML source code. Authentication is not required.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/24/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-42913 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the SyncThru Web Service component of Samsung SCX-6x55X series printers. This vulnerability exists in the web interface implementation that handles SMB (Server Message Block) user authentication and credential storage. The flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to directly access sensitive credential information by examining the HTML source code of specific web pages exposed by the printer's web service. The vulnerability stems from improper access control mechanisms within the SyncThru service, which fails to adequately restrict access to credential data that should remain protected. This issue falls under the CWE-200 category of "Information Exposure" and specifically aligns with CWE-312 which addresses "Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information." The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects networked printers that are often deployed in enterprise environments where they may have access to sensitive corporate networks and systems.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the web service interface of the SyncThru component which provides administrative access to printer configuration settings. When the printer's web service renders pages containing SMB user information, it inadvertently exposes cleartext passwords within the HTML source code without requiring any authentication credentials. This design flaw allows attackers to simply browse to specific URLs or access certain web pages that contain the credential information in an easily readable format. The vulnerability exists because the web service does not properly validate access requests or implement appropriate authorization checks before serving pages that contain sensitive user credentials. This weakness enables attackers to perform reconnaissance activities and gather information about network users and their associated passwords, potentially leading to further compromise of the network infrastructure. The exposure of cleartext passwords represents a fundamental security failure that violates standard security practices and principles of least privilege access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft to encompass broader network security implications. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain access to a comprehensive list of SMB users and their associated passwords, which can then be used for lateral movement within the network or for credential reuse attacks. This information can facilitate privilege escalation attacks, enable attackers to access shared resources, and potentially provide entry points to more sensitive systems within the organization. The vulnerability affects the printer's ability to maintain secure credential storage and access control, undermining the trust model of the network infrastructure. Organizations may face compliance violations and security audits that highlight inadequate protection of sensitive information. The impact is particularly severe in enterprise environments where printers often serve as network entry points and may have access to multiple network segments or domain controllers. The vulnerability also represents a significant risk to organizations that rely on proper authentication mechanisms for network security, as it exposes the fundamental weakness in credential management within printer systems.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability including disabling the SyncThru Web Service when it is not required for administrative tasks, applying the latest firmware updates provided by Samsung, and implementing network segmentation to limit access to printer services. Network administrators should also consider implementing firewall rules to restrict access to the printer web interfaces from unauthorized network segments. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper access control implementation and the need for regular security assessments of networked devices. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access attempts to printer web services and establish procedures for regular firmware updates and security patch management. This vulnerability highlights the critical need for manufacturers to implement proper authentication and authorization controls in embedded web services and to conduct thorough security testing before deploying networked devices in enterprise environments. The exposure of cleartext credentials through web interfaces represents a clear violation of security best practices and underscores the necessity for comprehensive security controls across all network components including peripheral devices such as printers.