// For flags

CVE-2023-50738

A firmware downgrade prevention vulnerability has been identified in newer Lexmark devices.

Severity Score

4.3
*CVSS v3.1

Exploit Likelihood

*EPSS

Affected Versions

*CPE

Public Exploits

0
*Multiple Sources

Exploited in Wild

-
*KEV

Decision

Track
*SSVC
Descriptions

A new feature to prevent Firmware downgrades was recently added to some Lexmark products. A method to override this downgrade protection has been identified.

This vulnerability allows network-adjacent attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Lexmark CX331adwe printers. Authentication is not required to exploit this vulnerability.
The specific flaw exists within the `/usr/bin/hydra` service, which listens on TCP port 9100 by default. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of a firmware image before using it to perform an upgrade. An attacker can leverage this in conjunction with other vulnerabilities to execute arbitrary code in the context of root.

A new feature to prevent Firmware downgrades was recently added to some Lexmark products. A method to override this downgrade protection has been identified.

*Credits: Foundry Zero
CVSS Scores
Attack Vector
Adjacent
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
High
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
Low
Integrity
Low
Availability
Low
Attack Vector
Adjacent
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
None
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
Low
Integrity
Low
Availability
Low
Attack Vector
Adjacent
Attack Complexity
Low
Authentication
Multiple
Confidentiality
Partial
Integrity
Partial
Availability
Partial
* Common Vulnerability Scoring System
SSVC
  • Decision:Track
Exploitation
None
Automatable
No
Tech. Impact
Partial
* Organization's Worst-case Scenario
Timeline
  • 2023-12-11 CVE Reserved
  • 2024-05-31 CVE Published
  • 2025-01-17 CVE Updated
  • 2025-08-23 EPSS Updated
  • ---------- Exploited in Wild
  • ---------- KEV Due Date
  • ---------- First Exploit
CWE
  • CWE-354: Improper Validation of Integrity Check Value
  • CWE-1328: Security Version Number Mutable to Older Versions
CAPEC
  • CAPEC-21: Exploitation of Trusted Identifiers
Affected Vendors, Products, and Versions
Vendor Product Version Other Status
Vendor Product Version Other Status <-- --> Vendor Product Version Other Status
Lexmark
Search vendor "Lexmark"
 Printer Firmware
Search vendor "Lexmark" for product "Printer Firmware"
 <= 230.041
Search vendor "Lexmark" for product "Printer Firmware" and version " <= 230.041"
en
Affected
Lexmark
Search vendor "Lexmark"
 Printer Firmware
Search vendor "Lexmark" for product "Printer Firmware"
 >= 230.075 <= 230.086
Search vendor "Lexmark" for product "Printer Firmware" and version " >= 230.075 <= 230.086"
en
Affected
Lexmark
Search vendor "Lexmark"
 Printer Firmware
Search vendor "Lexmark" for product "Printer Firmware"
 >= 230.100 <= 230.104
Search vendor "Lexmark" for product "Printer Firmware" and version " >= 230.100 <= 230.104"
en
Affected
Lexmark
Search vendor "Lexmark"
 Printer Firmware
Search vendor "Lexmark" for product "Printer Firmware"
 >= 230.200 <= 230.209
Search vendor "Lexmark" for product "Printer Firmware" and version " >= 230.200 <= 230.209"
en
Affected