CVE-2022-29588 in bizhub MFP
Summary
by MITRE • 05/16/2022
Konica Minolta bizhub MFP devices before 2022-04-14 use cleartext password storage for the /var/log/nginx/html/ADMINPASS and /etc/shadow files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-29588 affects Konica Minolta bizhub multifunction printer devices prior to a specific firmware update released on April 14, 2022. This security flaw represents a critical weakness in the device's authentication mechanism where passwords are stored in cleartext format rather than being properly hashed or encrypted. The affected devices store administrative passwords in the /var/log/nginx/html/ADMINPASS file and in the /etc/shadow file, both of which are accessible to unauthorized users with appropriate privileges or through exploitation techniques.
This vulnerability fundamentally violates security best practices and aligns with CWE-312, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through cleartext storage of credentials. The cleartext storage of administrative passwords creates an immediate and severe risk for device compromise, as any attacker who gains access to these files can directly obtain administrative credentials without requiring additional cracking or reverse engineering efforts. The exposure occurs at the filesystem level where the /etc/shadow file contains password hashes in a format that is readable by the system, and the ADMINPASS file specifically stores passwords in plaintext, making the authentication system completely vulnerable to credential theft.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables unauthorized access to critical device management functions and potentially allows attackers to establish persistent access to the network through compromised devices. The exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to complete device compromise, allowing attackers to modify device configurations, access print queues, intercept sensitive documents, and potentially use the compromised device as a foothold for broader network infiltration. This type of vulnerability falls under ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and T1566 which involves credential harvesting through various methods including file system access and privilege escalation.
Organizations using affected Konica Minolta devices should immediately implement mitigation strategies including firmware updates to the latest versions released after April 14, 2022, which address the cleartext password storage issue. Network segmentation should be implemented to limit access to these devices, and regular security audits should be conducted to identify any potential unauthorized access. Additionally, administrators should verify that password files are properly secured with appropriate file permissions and that access controls are configured to prevent unauthorized file system access. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper credential storage mechanisms and highlights the risks associated with legacy systems that fail to implement modern security practices for authentication data protection.