CVE-2007-1772 in JetDirect
Summary
by MITRE
The FTP service in HP JetDirect print servers allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (engine crash) via a RETR command with a long pathname.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/10/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-1772 affects HP JetDirect print servers and represents a classic denial of service flaw in network services. This issue specifically targets the File Transfer Protocol implementation within these devices, which are commonly deployed in enterprise environments to provide network printing capabilities. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation within the FTP service component, creating a condition where malicious actors can exploit the system through carefully crafted file retrieval requests.
The technical flaw manifests when a remote attacker sends a RETR command with an excessively long pathname to the FTP service running on the HP JetDirect print server. This particular command is used to retrieve files from the server, but the implementation fails to properly handle pathnames that exceed predetermined length limits. The vulnerability stems from buffer overflow conditions or improper memory management within the FTP service code, causing the system to crash or become unresponsive when processing these malformed requests. The flaw exists in the protocol implementation rather than the underlying operating system, making it specific to the HP JetDirect firmware and its embedded FTP service.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can severely affect business continuity in environments relying on network printing infrastructure. Organizations using HP JetDirect print servers may experience unexpected downtime of their printing services, potentially disrupting critical business processes that depend on document output. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires no authentication to exploit, making it accessible to any remote attacker who can reach the device's network interface. This unauthenticated nature increases the risk profile significantly, as attackers can cause service disruption without needing to establish valid credentials or overcome access controls.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation practices in embedded systems and highlights the importance of secure coding standards in network appliances. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to print server devices, deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious FTP activity, and apply vendor-provided security patches immediately upon release. The vulnerability also underscores the need for regular security assessments of embedded network devices and proper network access controls to minimize exposure to such attacks. Additionally, implementing rate limiting and connection monitoring on FTP services can help detect and mitigate exploitation attempts before they cause significant disruption to network printing services.