CVE-2002-1383 in CUPS
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple integer overflows in Common Unix Printing System (CUPS) 1.1.14 through 1.1.17 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via (1) the CUPSd HTTP interface, as demonstrated by vanilla-coke, and (2) the image handling code in CUPS filters, as demonstrated by mksun.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/12/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1383 represents a critical security flaw in the Common Unix Printing System CUPS version 1.1.14 through 1.1.17, where multiple integer overflows exist that can be exploited remotely to achieve arbitrary code execution. This vulnerability affects the core printing system functionality on Unix-based operating systems and presents significant operational risks to organizations relying on CUPS for print management services. The flaw manifests in two distinct attack vectors that demonstrate the severity and breadth of the issue within the CUPS architecture.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and integer overflow conditions within the CUPS daemon's HTTP interface handling and image processing filters. When processing specially crafted print jobs or HTTP requests through the CUPSd service, the system fails to properly validate integer values, leading to buffer overflows that can be manipulated by remote attackers. The first vector involves the CUPSd HTTP interface where malicious input causes integer overflows during request processing, while the second vector targets the image handling code within CUPS filters where the mksun demonstration shows how malformed image data can trigger similar overflow conditions. These integer overflows create exploitable conditions that allow attackers to overwrite memory locations and potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the CUPS service process.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-1383 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it can lead to complete system compromise when attackers leverage the vulnerability to gain elevated privileges. Organizations using affected CUPS versions face potential data breaches, system infiltration, and denial of service conditions that can disrupt print services and potentially provide attackers with persistent access to network resources. The vulnerability affects systems where CUPS serves as the primary printing solution, which includes many enterprise environments, web servers, and network appliances that depend on proper print queue management. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers can target vulnerable systems without requiring physical access or local network presence, making the attack surface particularly broad.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-1383 should prioritize immediate patching of affected CUPS installations to versions that address the integer overflow conditions in both the HTTP interface and image processing components. System administrators should implement network segmentation and firewall rules to limit access to CUPS services where possible, while also monitoring for suspicious print job submissions or HTTP requests that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of how improper input validation can lead to memory corruption vulnerabilities. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving remote code execution and privilege escalation, potentially enabling attackers to move laterally within networks and establish persistent access through compromised print servers.
Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected CUPS versions and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place to prevent similar issues. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and memory safety practices in system design, particularly for network-facing services that process untrusted data. Regular security audits and code reviews should focus on integer arithmetic handling and buffer management to prevent similar issues in other software components. Given the age of this vulnerability and its classification as a critical security flaw, immediate remediation is essential for maintaining system integrity and protecting against potential exploitation by threat actors targeting legacy systems.