CVE-2011-4168 in Managed Printing Administration
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in hpmpa/jobDelivery/Default.asp in HP Managed Printing Administration before 2.6.4 allows remote attackers to create arbitrary files via crafted form data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/28/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4168 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within HP Managed Printing Administration software versions prior to 2.6.4. This weakness resides in the hpmpa/jobDelivery/Default.asp component, which processes form data submitted by remote attackers without adequate input validation or sanitization mechanisms. The vulnerability enables malicious actors to manipulate file system operations through carefully crafted HTTP requests that exploit improper path handling within the application's file creation logic.
This directory traversal vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user-supplied input parameters that are directly incorporated into file system operations. Attackers can manipulate form data to specify arbitrary file paths, potentially allowing them to create files in unintended directories or even overwrite existing system files. The flaw operates by bypassing normal access controls and file system boundaries, enabling unauthorized file system modifications that could lead to system compromise. According to CWE classification, this represents a CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') vulnerability, which is a well-documented weakness in web application security.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file creation capabilities, as it can potentially enable attackers to establish persistent access points or deploy malicious payloads within the targeted system. Remote attackers exploiting this flaw could leverage the directory traversal capability to place backdoors, web shells, or other malicious components in strategic locations within the file system. The implications are particularly severe for managed printing environments where administrative access to print servers and associated systems is critical for business operations, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive print jobs and network resources.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to HP Managed Printing Administration version 2.6.4 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this vulnerability. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit exposure of the affected component to trusted networks only. Input validation should be strengthened at all entry points, and proper path validation mechanisms should be implemented to prevent arbitrary file system access. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: Unix Shell and T1566.001 for Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, as attackers may use this vulnerability to establish persistence or deliver malicious payloads through compromised systems. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other components that may be susceptible to similar path traversal flaws, particularly in web applications handling user-supplied data for file operations.