CVE-2003-0195 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
CUPS before 1.1.19 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service via a partial printing request to the IPP port (631), which does not time out.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/23/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-0195 affects the Common Unix Printing System CUPS version 1.1.18 and earlier, presenting a significant denial of service risk through improper handling of partial printing requests. This issue specifically targets the Internet Printing Protocol IPP port 631 which serves as the primary communication channel for print job submissions and printer management operations. The flaw arises from the system's inability to properly time out incomplete print requests, creating a persistent resource consumption scenario that can effectively disable printing services.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate request processing mechanisms within the CUPS daemon. When a client submits a partial printing request to the IPP port, the system fails to establish proper timeout mechanisms to handle incomplete or malformed requests. This design flaw allows malicious actors to maintain open connections indefinitely, consuming system resources such as memory and process threads without proper cleanup or termination. The absence of timeout enforcement creates a resource exhaustion condition where legitimate print jobs cannot be processed due to system resource depletion.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a substantial risk to networked printing environments where multiple users rely on shared printer resources. Attackers can exploit this weakness by initiating partial print requests and maintaining them open, effectively creating a denial of service condition that prevents other users from submitting print jobs. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as it can affect business operations, particularly in environments where print services are critical for document management and workflow processes. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it does not require authentication or special privileges, making it accessible to any remote attacker with network access to the IPP port.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-400, which addresses "Uncontrolled Resource Consumption" and specifically relates to improper resource management in network services. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this weakness maps to T1499.004, "Endpoint Denial of Service," and demonstrates how network-based services can be compromised through resource exhaustion techniques. The attack vector operates entirely through network communication, making it difficult to detect and mitigate without proper network monitoring and access controls. Organizations implementing CUPS in production environments face significant risk without proper patch management and network segmentation controls.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to CUPS version 1.1.19 or later, which includes proper timeout mechanisms for handling partial print requests. System administrators should also implement network-level controls to restrict access to the IPP port 631, limiting connections to trusted networks and implementing firewall rules to prevent unauthorized access. Additional protective measures include monitoring for unusual connection patterns, implementing connection limits, and establishing proper logging mechanisms to detect potential exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and access control lists should be configured to ensure that only authorized systems can communicate with the printing services, reducing the attack surface and limiting the impact of potential exploitation attempts.