CVE-2007-5208 in Linux Imaging
Summary
by MITRE
hpssd in Hewlett-Packard Linux Imaging and Printing Project (hplip) 1.x and 2.x before 2.7.10 allows context-dependent attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in a from address, which is not properly handled when invoking sendmail.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-5208 resides within the Hewlett-Packard Linux Imaging and Printing Project hplip software, specifically affecting versions 1.x and 2.x prior to 2.7.10. This security flaw manifests in the hpssd component which serves as a system service responsible for managing printer communication and notifications. The vulnerability represents a classic command injection flaw that arises from improper handling of user-supplied input within a privileged context, making it particularly dangerous for systems where the service operates with elevated privileges.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the from address field in email notifications generated by the hpssd service. When the service processes email alerts for printer status updates or error notifications, it fails to properly sanitize or escape shell metacharacters present in the from address parameter. This inadequate input validation creates a scenario where attackers can inject malicious shell commands that get executed when the system invokes the sendmail utility to deliver notifications. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-78, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in shell commands, and represents a command injection weakness that can be leveraged for arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides attackers with a means to execute arbitrary commands on the affected system with the privileges of the hpssd service. Given that this service typically runs with elevated permissions to manage printer operations and system communications, successful exploitation could allow an attacker to gain unauthorized access to sensitive system resources, modify printer configurations, or even establish persistent backdoors within the network infrastructure. The context-dependent nature of this vulnerability means that exploitation requires the attacker to have knowledge of the target system's email notification configuration and the ability to influence the from address field in printer alert messages.
Organizations running affected versions of hplip software face significant risk from this vulnerability, particularly in environments where printer systems are integrated into broader network infrastructures. The vulnerability's exploitation potential aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers the use of script-based commands, and represents a common attack vector targeting printer management systems that often operate with elevated privileges. System administrators should consider implementing network segmentation to limit access to printer services and ensure that all systems are updated to version 2.7.10 or later, which includes proper input sanitization mechanisms. Additional mitigations include restricting the hpssd service's privileges to the minimum required for operation, implementing email filtering rules to prevent malicious command injection through email headers, and monitoring for unusual printer notification patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in system services and highlights the risks associated with legacy software components that may not receive regular security updates.