CVE-2024-51984 in Printer
Summary
by MITRE • 06/25/2025
An authenticated attacker can reconfigure the target device to use an external service (such as LDAP or FTP) controlled by the attacker. If an existing password is present for an external service, the attacker can force the target device to authenticate to an attacker controlled device using the existing credentials for that external service. In the case of an external LDAP or FTP service, this will disclose the plaintext password for that external service to the attacker.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/25/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical configuration manipulation flaw that allows authenticated attackers to redirect target devices toward attacker-controlled external services. The issue stems from insufficient validation of service configuration parameters, enabling malicious actors to specify arbitrary external endpoints for authentication services. The vulnerability specifically affects systems that support external authentication protocols including Lightweight Directory Access Protocol and File Transfer Protocol, creating a pathway for credential exfiltration and unauthorized access. According to CWE-284, this represents an improper access control condition where the system fails to properly validate configuration inputs, allowing unauthorized service redirection. The flaw exists in the device's configuration management system where authentication service endpoints can be modified without adequate authorization checks or input sanitization.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the trust model inherent in authentication systems where devices automatically authenticate against configured external services. When an attacker modifies the configuration to point to an attacker-controlled LDAP or FTP server, the target device will attempt authentication using existing credentials stored in the system. This process reveals plaintext passwords through the authentication exchange, as these protocols typically transmit credentials in unencrypted formats unless specifically configured otherwise. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of insufficient input validation and inadequate authentication service endpoint verification. Attackers can leverage this to escalate privileges by obtaining access to external services that may contain additional credentials or administrative access rights. The flaw essentially creates a man-in-the-middle scenario where the attacker can intercept and capture authentication credentials from legitimate device-to-service communications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, potentially enabling attackers to establish persistent access to the compromised environment. Once an attacker obtains plaintext passwords through this mechanism, they can use these credentials to access other systems within the network that rely on the same authentication services. This creates a significant risk for organizations using centralized authentication systems where a single compromised credential can lead to broader network infiltration. The vulnerability affects systems that store and utilize external service credentials for authentication purposes, particularly impacting enterprise environments that rely heavily on LDAP directories for user management and access control. Organizations with multiple devices configured to use external authentication services face heightened risk, as each vulnerable device represents a potential entry point for credential harvesting. The impact is further amplified by the fact that attackers can leverage existing credentials rather than needing to discover new ones, making the attack more efficient and less detectable.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing robust configuration validation and access control mechanisms for external service endpoints. Organizations must ensure that authentication service configurations can only be modified by authorized administrators with proper authentication and authorization controls in place. Input sanitization and endpoint validation should be implemented to prevent attackers from specifying arbitrary external services. Network segmentation and monitoring of authentication service communications can help detect suspicious redirection attempts. Regular security audits should verify that external service configurations are properly validated and that only trusted endpoints are allowed. The implementation of encrypted authentication protocols such as LDAPS or secure FTP should be mandated to prevent plaintext credential transmission. Additionally, privilege separation and role-based access controls should be enforced to limit the ability of authenticated users to modify critical system configurations. According to ATT&CK technique T1566, this vulnerability aligns with credential harvesting methods that exploit authentication service misconfigurations to obtain valid credentials for further attacks. Organizations should also implement automated configuration management systems that prevent unauthorized modifications and maintain audit trails of all configuration changes.