CVE-2002-0003 in Groff
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the preprocessor in groff 1.16 and earlier allows remote attackers to gain privileges via lpd in the LPRng printing system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/29/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0003 represents a critical buffer overflow condition within the preprocessor component of groff version 1.16 and earlier releases. This flaw specifically manifests when processing print jobs through the LPRng printing system, where the lpd daemon handles incoming print requests. The buffer overflow occurs during the parsing of print job data, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and bounds checking within the groff preprocessor's handling of print job parameters, particularly when these jobs are submitted through the Line Printer Remote protocol.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to send a specially crafted print job to a system running the vulnerable lpd daemon. When the preprocessor processes this malformed input, it overflows a fixed-size buffer, potentially overwriting adjacent memory locations including return addresses and control data. This memory corruption can be manipulated to redirect program execution flow, allowing the attacker to execute malicious code with the privileges of the lpd daemon process. The severity of this vulnerability is amplified by the fact that the lpd daemon typically runs with elevated privileges to manage printer access and queue operations, making successful exploitation equivalent to gaining system-level control.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability poses significant risks to networked printing environments that rely on LPRng for print job management. Organizations with multiple printers connected through LPRng systems are particularly vulnerable since attackers can exploit this weakness from remote locations without requiring physical access to the print servers. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation to include potential data compromise, system denial of service, and lateral movement within networked environments where print servers serve as entry points for broader attacks. The vulnerability affects the broader ecosystem of Unix-like systems that utilize groff for document formatting and printing, particularly those implementing the Line Printer Daemon protocol.
Security mitigations for CVE-2002-0003 primarily focus on immediate remediation through software updates and patches provided by the groff maintainers and operating system vendors. System administrators should prioritize upgrading to groff versions 1.17 and later, where the buffer overflow has been addressed through proper input validation and bounds checking mechanisms. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and firewall rules to restrict access to print servers can significantly reduce the attack surface. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by running the lpd daemon with minimal required permissions and disabling unnecessary print services. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous print job patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while regular security audits of print server configurations help identify and remediate related vulnerabilities. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of how protocol implementations can create exploitable conditions when proper input sanitization is lacking. The attack vector falls under ATT&CK technique T1059, specifically focusing on command and scripting interpreter execution through remote service access points. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious print job submissions that could indicate exploitation attempts, while maintaining up-to-date vulnerability assessments to identify other potential weaknesses in their print infrastructure.