CVE-2002-1473 in HP-UX
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in lp subsystem for HP-UX 10.20 through 11.11 (11i) allow local users to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary code.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/09/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-1473 represents a critical security flaw within the line printer subsystem of HP-UX operating systems spanning versions 10.20 through 11.11. This issue affects the lp (line printer) subsystem which handles print job processing and queue management, making it a significant target for attackers seeking to compromise system integrity. The vulnerability manifests through multiple buffer overflow conditions that occur during the processing of print jobs, particularly when handling malformed input data. These buffer overflows exist in the software components responsible for managing print spooling operations and printer communication protocols, creating opportunities for malicious exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper buffer management within the lp subsystem's codebase. When print jobs are submitted to the system, the lp daemon processes various parameters and data structures without adequate bounds checking, allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations through carefully crafted input sequences. This memory corruption can occur during the parsing of printer job attributes, command sequences, or data formatting parameters. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the system level where the lp subsystem typically runs with elevated privileges, potentially allowing local users to escalate their privileges or cause system instability. The buffer overflow conditions can be triggered through various print job submission methods including direct command line operations, print queue manipulation, or even through automated print job generation scripts.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-1473 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable arbitrary code execution within the target system. Local attackers who can submit print jobs to the lp subsystem can exploit these buffer overflows to execute malicious code with the privileges of the lp daemon process, which often runs with root-level access. This privilege escalation capability makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where print services are commonly used and accessible to various system users. The denial of service component of this vulnerability can cause complete system instability, leading to print service outages, system crashes, or even complete system lockups that require manual intervention to restore normal operations. Organizations relying on HP-UX systems for critical printing operations face significant risk from this vulnerability, as it can disrupt business processes and potentially provide attackers with persistent access to compromised systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-1473 should focus on immediate system hardening and patch management approaches. System administrators should prioritize applying official HP-UX security patches released by Hewlett-Packard to address the buffer overflow conditions in the lp subsystem. In environments where patching cannot be immediately implemented, administrators should consider disabling unnecessary print services, implementing strict access controls for print job submission, and monitoring print queue activities for suspicious behavior. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflows, indicating the fundamental nature of the memory corruption issues. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1068, which covers exploit for privilege escalation, and T1499, which addresses disruption of services through resource consumption or system instability. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to print services and establish logging procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts, ensuring comprehensive protection against this legacy vulnerability that continues to pose risks in older HP-UX installations.