CVE-2011-2899 in system-config-printer
Summary
by MITRE
pysmb.py in system-config-printer 0.6.x and 0.7.x, as used in foomatic-gui and possibly other products, allows remote SMB servers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in the (1) NetBIOS or (2) workgroup name, which are not properly handled when searching for network printers.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/11/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2899 represents a critical command injection flaw in the pysmb.py library component of system-config-printer versions 0.6.x and 0.7.x. This issue affects foomatic-gui and potentially other applications that rely on the same SMB library implementation for network printer discovery. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of SMB server responses during the network printer search process, creating a pathway for remote code execution through maliciously crafted SMB responses.
The technical exploitation occurs when the pysmb.py library processes NetBIOS or workgroup names returned by SMB servers during printer enumeration. These names are not properly escaped or sanitized before being used in shell contexts, allowing attackers to inject shell metacharacters that get interpreted by the underlying system shell. The vulnerability specifically targets the printer discovery mechanism where the system attempts to connect to and enumerate available network printers through SMB protocols, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users might unknowingly connect to malicious print servers.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to enterprise networks as it enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on systems running affected software versions. The attack vector requires the target system to attempt printer discovery against a malicious SMB server, which can occur automatically during system startup, network scanning, or when users browse network resources. This makes the vulnerability particularly insidious as it can be exploited without direct user interaction, potentially allowing attackers to gain persistent access to systems, escalate privileges, or deploy additional malware.
The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-78, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in shell commands, and aligns with ATT&CK techniques such as T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1133 for external remote services. Organizations should immediately apply patches to system-config-printer versions 0.6.x and 0.7.x, implement network segmentation to limit printer discovery to trusted networks, and consider disabling automatic printer discovery features where possible. Additionally, network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual SMB traffic patterns and potential exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include comprehensive vulnerability scanning across all affected systems and verification of patch integrity to ensure complete protection against this command injection vulnerability.