CVE-2018-20771 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability has been detected on Xerox WorkCentre devices allowing unauthorized execution of remote commands.

Understanding CVE-2018-20771

This CVE identifies a security flaw in Xerox WorkCentre devices that could lead to the execution of remote commands without authorization.

What is CVE-2018-20771?

CVE-2018-20771 is a vulnerability found in Xerox WorkCentre models 3655, 3655i, 58XX, 58XXi, 59XX, 59XXi, 6655, 6655i, 72XX, 72XXi, 78XX, 78XXi, 7970, 7970i, EC7836, and EC7856 prior to version R18-05 073.xxx.0487.15000. This flaw allows for unauthorized execution of remote commands.

The Impact of CVE-2018-20771

The vulnerability could result in unauthorized individuals executing remote commands on affected Xerox WorkCentre devices, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized access.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-20771

This section provides more technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Xerox WorkCentre devices allows for unauthenticated remote command execution, posing a significant security risk.

Affected Systems and Versions

Xerox WorkCentre models 3655, 3655i, 58XX, 58XXi, 59XX, 59XXi, 6655, 6655i, 72XX, 72XXi, 78XX, 78XXi, 7970, 7970i, EC7836, and EC7856 are impacted before version R18-05 073.xxx.0487.15000.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability enables threat actors to execute remote commands without authentication, potentially leading to unauthorized system access and data manipulation.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-20771 is crucial to maintaining security.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Xerox WorkCentre devices to version R18-05 073.xxx.0487.15000 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential unauthorized access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit network traffic for any suspicious activities.
Educate users on security best practices to prevent unauthorized access.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by Xerox for WorkCentre devices.