CVE-2008-2941 in Linux Imaging And Printing Project
Summary
by MITRE
The hpssd message parser in hpssd.py in HP Linux Imaging and Printing (HPLIP) 1.6.7 allows local users to cause a denial of service (process stop) via a crafted packet, as demonstrated by sending "msg=0" to TCP port 2207.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/01/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2941 resides within the hpssd message parser component of HP Linux Imaging and Printing (HPLIP) version 1.6.7, representing a critical denial of service weakness that affects local users with the ability to disrupt system operations. This flaw exists in the hpssd.py script which serves as the core messaging daemon for handling communication between HP printer components and the Linux system. The vulnerability manifests specifically when the daemon receives a malformed message containing the string "msg=0" on TCP port 2207, which is the designated port for hpssd communications. This particular implementation flaw demonstrates a classic buffer overflow or parsing error where the message processing logic fails to properly validate input parameters, leading to unexpected process termination and system service disruption.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the hpssd daemon's message parsing functionality, which operates under the assumption that all incoming messages will conform to expected formats. When the daemon encounters the crafted "msg=0" packet, the parsing routine fails to handle this specific input gracefully, resulting in a process crash or termination. This behavior stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the message handling code, where the system does not adequately sanitize or verify the integrity of received data before processing. The vulnerability is classified as a local privilege escalation issue since it requires local system access to exploit, though the impact extends to system availability and service disruption that can affect printing operations and overall system stability. The flaw directly relates to CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of input, and CWE-20, concerning input validation issues that can lead to various security problems including denial of service conditions.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-2941 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the reliability of HP printer management systems in enterprise environments. When the hpssd daemon crashes due to this vulnerability, it affects the entire printing infrastructure that depends on proper communication between the printer hardware and the Linux system. This disruption can cascade into broader operational issues, particularly in environments where print services are critical for business operations, such as in healthcare, financial services, or manufacturing facilities where continuous printing capabilities are essential. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service, though in this case the attack vector is through local packet manipulation rather than external network-based attacks. Organizations relying on HPLIP for printer management may experience unplanned downtime, requiring system administrators to manually restart services or potentially reinstall the entire HPLIP package to restore functionality.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of the HPLIP software to version 1.6.8 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the message parsing logic. System administrators should also implement network segmentation to restrict access to TCP port 2207, limiting the attack surface and preventing unauthorized local users from exploiting this weakness. Additionally, monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual patterns in hpssd daemon behavior or unexpected process terminations, enabling rapid incident response when such vulnerabilities are exploited. The implementation of input validation controls and proper error handling within the hpssd daemon would prevent similar issues from occurring in future versions, adhering to secure coding practices recommended by the Open Web Application Security Project. Organizations should also consider implementing privilege separation mechanisms to limit the potential impact of local exploitation and ensure that even if an attacker gains local access, they cannot easily disrupt critical system services through this type of denial of service attack.