CVE-2024-51978 in Printer
Summary
by MITRE • 06/25/2025
An unauthenticated attacker who knows the target device's serial number, can generate the default administrator password for the device. An unauthenticated attacker can first discover the target device's serial number via CVE-2024-51977 over HTTP/HTTPS/IPP, or via a PJL request, or via an SNMP request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/25/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in networked printing devices that undermines the fundamental authentication mechanisms protecting administrative access. The vulnerability stems from a predictable password generation algorithm that allows unauthenticated attackers to derive default administrator credentials when they possess only the device's serial number. This weakness directly violates security principle of least privilege and demonstrates poor implementation of access control measures that should require proper authentication before granting administrative privileges. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and affects devices that implement default credential generation based on serial number inputs, creating a deterministic system where cryptographic randomness is replaced with predictable patterns that can be reverse-engineered by threat actors.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability begins with the discovery of the target device's serial number through auxiliary attack vectors such as CVE-2024-51977, which enables attackers to enumerate device identifiers through multiple protocols including HTTP/HTTPS/IPP and SNMP. Once the serial number is obtained, attackers can leverage the predictable password generation algorithm to compute the default administrator password without requiring authentication. This attack pattern follows the ATT&CK technique T1212 (Exploitation for Credential Access) and aligns with CWE-259 (Use of Hard-coded Credentials) and CWE-326 (Inadequate Encryption Strength) as it demonstrates the use of predictable credentials that can be generated without proper authentication. The vulnerability essentially creates a backdoor access mechanism that bypasses normal authentication procedures and represents a failure in implementing proper credential management and secure password generation practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential full system compromise and data exfiltration capabilities. An attacker with administrative access can modify device configurations, install malicious firmware, monitor network traffic, and potentially use the compromised device as a pivot point for lateral movement within the network. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where network printers often serve as entry points for attackers due to their typically less secure configurations and the trust relationships they establish with network infrastructure. The vulnerability can be exploited in both internal network environments and external attack scenarios, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that do not properly segment their network or implement adequate monitoring controls. The risk is amplified when considering that many organizations maintain default configurations for extended periods without proper credential rotation or access control reviews.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including disabling unnecessary network services, implementing strict network segmentation to isolate printing infrastructure, and conducting comprehensive device inventory audits to identify affected systems. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual enumeration patterns and unauthorized access attempts, while security teams should enforce mandatory credential changes for all affected devices and implement role-based access controls. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-82 and ISO 27001, which emphasize the need for proper access control management and the elimination of default credentials. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar predictable credential generation mechanisms, while device manufacturers should implement proper cryptographic key derivation functions and avoid deterministic password generation schemes that rely on easily obtainable device identifiers. Additionally, implementing network access controls and firewall rules to restrict access to printing services from untrusted networks will significantly reduce the attack surface for this and similar vulnerabilities.