CVE-2001-1360 in SANE
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in Scanner Access Now Easy (SANE) before 1.0.5, related to pnm and saned.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-1360 affects the Scanner Access Now Easy (SANE) framework version 1.0.4 and earlier, specifically impacting the pnm and saned components. This issue represents a significant security weakness in scanner access control mechanisms that could potentially allow unauthorized users to gain access to connected scanning devices and their associated data. The SANE framework serves as a standard interface for accessing various types of scanners and other imaging devices across different operating systems, making it a critical component in imaging infrastructure.
The technical flaw stems from improper access controls and authentication mechanisms within the SANE framework's implementation of the pnm (Portable AnyMap) format handling and the saned daemon responsible for network scanning services. When the pnm format is processed or when the saned daemon operates, insufficient validation occurs on incoming requests and user credentials, creating potential pathways for privilege escalation and unauthorized device access. This vulnerability manifests particularly when the system is configured to allow network access to scanning devices through the saned service, where the lack of proper authentication checks enables attackers to potentially manipulate scanning operations or access sensitive imaging data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to potentially compromising entire imaging workflows and data integrity. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could gain access to sensitive documents being scanned, potentially intercept or manipulate scanning operations, and in some configurations, execute arbitrary commands on the affected system. The vulnerability affects systems where SANE is used in networked environments, particularly those implementing the saned daemon for remote scanning capabilities. This presents significant risks in enterprise environments where document security and access control are paramount.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and potentially CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write) when considering the potential for command injection scenarios. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this under T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) when exploited in conjunction with other attack vectors. Organizations should immediately update to SANE version 1.0.5 or later, which includes proper access control mechanisms and authentication checks. Additionally, network segmentation of scanning services, disabling unnecessary network access to saned daemons, and implementing proper firewall rules are recommended mitigations. Regular security assessments of imaging infrastructure and monitoring for unauthorized scanning activities should also be implemented as part of comprehensive security posture management.