CVE-2007-5849 in CUPS
Summary
by MITRE
Integer underflow in the asn1_get_string function in the SNMP back end (backend/snmp.c) for CUPS 1.2 through 1.3.4 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted SNMP response that triggers a stack-based buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/15/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-5849 represents a critical integer underflow condition within the CUPS (Common Unix Printing System) software suite affecting versions 1.2 through 1.3.4. This flaw exists specifically within the SNMP backend component where the asn1_get_string function processes incoming SNMP responses. The integer underflow occurs when the function fails to properly validate the length parameter of ASN.1 encoded strings, creating a scenario where an attacker can manipulate the input data to cause arithmetic underflow conditions that subsequently lead to memory corruption.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the SNMP backend processing code. When CUPS receives an SNMP response containing crafted ASN.1 encoded data, the asn1_get_string function performs arithmetic operations on the length field without proper bounds checking. This allows an attacker to craft malicious SNMP responses where the calculated buffer size becomes negative or extremely large, resulting in a stack-based buffer overflow condition. The flaw manifests as a classic integer underflow vulnerability that maps to CWE-191, which specifically addresses integer underflows in software implementations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and directly enables remote code execution capabilities for attackers. An attacker positioned to intercept or manipulate SNMP communications can craft specially formatted responses that trigger the buffer overflow condition when CUPS processes these responses. The stack-based buffer overflow creates opportunities for arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the CUPS process, potentially allowing attackers to gain full control over the affected system. This vulnerability particularly affects systems running CUPS in networked environments where SNMP communication is enabled, making it a significant threat to print server security and network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-5849 should prioritize immediate patching of affected CUPS versions to the latest stable releases containing the corrected ASN.1 parsing logic. System administrators should disable SNMP functionality in CUPS if it is not required for operations, as this removes the attack surface entirely. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit SNMP communication to trusted sources only, reducing the likelihood of successful exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper integer validation and bounds checking in network protocol implementations, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through command and scripting interpreter. Organizations should also implement network monitoring to detect anomalous SNMP traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, as this vulnerability typically requires specific conditions to be successfully exploited in real-world scenarios.