CVE-2011-4167 in Managed Printing Administration
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in MPAUploader.dll in HP Managed Printing Administration before 2.6.4 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long filename parameter in an uploadfile action to Default.asp.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/28/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4167 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the MPAUploader.dll component of HP Managed Printing Administration software. This vulnerability affects versions prior to 2.6.4 and exposes a significant security weakness that can be exploited remotely by malicious actors. The flaw specifically manifests when the software processes file upload operations through the Default.asp web interface, creating an avenue for remote code execution attacks that could compromise the entire system. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize or limit the length of filename parameters submitted during file upload operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a classic stack buffer overflow condition where attacker-controlled input exceeds the allocated buffer space in the MPAUploader.dll module. When a malicious user submits a filename parameter exceeding the predetermined buffer limits through the uploadfile action in Default.asp, the excess data overflows into adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting the stack and allowing an attacker to overwrite critical program execution pointers. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions that can lead to arbitrary code execution. The attack vector requires no authentication and can be executed remotely, making it particularly dangerous for networked environments where the affected HP Managed Printing Administration servers are accessible from external networks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it can enable attackers to gain complete control over affected systems running vulnerable versions of HP Managed Printing Administration. Successful exploitation could result in unauthorized access to sensitive network resources, data theft, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on HP Managed Printing Administration for their print management solutions, particularly those with exposed web interfaces or those operating without proper network segmentation. From an operational security perspective, this vulnerability represents a significant risk to enterprise environments where print management systems serve as critical infrastructure components that may contain sensitive information or serve as entry points for broader network attacks.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies including applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates to upgrade to HP Managed Printing Administration version 2.6.4 or later. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the affected web interface to trusted internal networks only, while also considering the implementation of web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious upload requests. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and bounds checking in web applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1203 which covers exploitation of remote services for code execution. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous file upload patterns and potential exploitation attempts, while regular vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar issues in other components of the print management infrastructure. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege access controls and disabling unnecessary web services can significantly reduce the attack surface and potential impact of similar vulnerabilities in the future.