Xerox FreeFlow Core RCE Flaw Lets Attackers Hijack Print Servers

A critical path traversal vulnerability in Xerox FreeFlow Core allows unauthenticated attackers to achieve remote code execution on enterprise print workflow systems. CVE-2026-2251 carries a CVSS score of 9.8 and affects all versions up to 8.0.7.

Xerox disclosed the flaw on February 27, 2026, and released FreeFlow Core 8.1.0 to address it. Organizations running vulnerable versions should patch immediately—the vulnerability requires no authentication, no user interaction, and can be exploited remotely over the network.

What Makes This Dangerous

FreeFlow Core is Xerox's enterprise print workflow automation platform, used by large organizations to manage high-volume document processing. The software typically runs with elevated privileges to access file systems, network resources, and printer infrastructure.

The vulnerability stems from improper sanitization of user-supplied file paths. Attackers can submit path traversal sequences (like ../) to escape intended directory restrictions and write files to arbitrary locations on the server. Depending on the service's privilege level, exploitation could enable:

• Overwriting executable files to achieve code execution
• Dropping webshells into accessible directories
• Modifying configuration files to inject malicious commands
• Accessing sensitive documents queued for printing

Print servers often have visibility into confidential documents—contracts, financial reports, HR records—making them attractive targets for both data theft and ransomware deployment.

Technical Details

The flaw is classified as CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory. The attack vector is network-accessible (AV:N) with low complexity, requiring neither authentication nor user interaction.

While no public proof-of-concept exists yet, the technical barrier to exploitation is low. Similar path traversal vulnerabilities in Apache Struts and other web-accessible services have historically been weaponized within days of disclosure.

Enterprise print infrastructure often sits in a network position that makes lateral movement easier—connected to file shares, active directory, and multiple client systems.

Who Should Act

Organizations using Xerox FreeFlow Core versions 8.0.7 and earlier need to upgrade to version 8.1.0 immediately. The patch is available through Xerox's support portal.

If immediate patching isn't possible, consider:

1. Restrict network access to FreeFlow Core servers, limiting connectivity to only necessary systems
2. Monitor for anomalous file system activity on print servers, particularly writes outside expected directories
3. Audit access logs for unusual requests containing traversal sequences
4. Segment print infrastructure from critical network segments to limit blast radius

Why This Matters

Print infrastructure security rarely gets the attention it deserves. Organizations focus on endpoints and cloud services while print servers—often running legacy software with elevated privileges—sit forgotten in server rooms.

This pattern mirrors what we've seen with other critical vulnerabilities in enterprise infrastructure. Attackers know that print servers, file transfer appliances, and workflow automation tools make excellent persistence points precisely because defenders overlook them.

The combination of a CVSS 9.8 score, unauthenticated access, and remote exploitability puts CVE-2026-2251 in the "drop everything and patch" category. Don't let your print infrastructure become an attacker's foothold.