CVE-2012-3273 in LaserJet Pro 400
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple unspecified vulnerabilities on the HP LaserJet Pro 400 MFP M425 with firmware 20120625 and LaserJet 400 M401 with firmware 20120621 allow remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/16/2018
The CVE-2012-3273 vulnerability affects HP LaserJet Pro 400 MFP M425 and LaserJet 400 M401 multifunction printers with specific firmware versions from June 2012. This vulnerability represents a significant security weakness in enterprise printing infrastructure that could potentially expose sensitive information to remote attackers. The vulnerability is classified as a information disclosure issue that operates through unspecified attack vectors, making it particularly concerning for security professionals who must assess risk without complete technical details. The affected devices are part of HP's business printing portfolio and were widely deployed in corporate environments where sensitive data handling is critical.
The technical flaw in these printer models stems from insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms within the device's firmware implementation. These multifunction printers typically handle print jobs, scan operations, and network communications, creating multiple potential attack surfaces where sensitive data could be exposed. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to access confidential information through unknown vectors that likely involve network-based exploitation. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability would fall under CWE-200 Information Exposure, which encompasses various methods where sensitive information is unintentionally disclosed to unauthorized actors. The attack vectors may involve manipulation of network protocols, exploitation of unsecured communication channels, or improper handling of sensitive data within the printer's memory structures.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-3273 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as these printers often serve as critical components in enterprise document management systems. Organizations using these devices may face exposure of confidential documents, print job data, user credentials, or network configuration information. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can exploit this vulnerability from outside the corporate network, potentially leading to data breaches that compromise intellectual property, personal information, or proprietary business documents. The vulnerability affects devices that were commonly deployed in business environments where printers serve as entry points for accessing sensitive information, making the impact particularly severe for organizations handling regulated data. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1041 Exfiltration Over C2 Channel, where attackers may use compromised devices to extract sensitive information through established communication protocols.
Security mitigation for CVE-2012-3273 requires immediate firmware updates from HP to address the underlying vulnerability in the printer firmware implementations. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate these devices from critical business networks and apply firewall rules to restrict access to printer services. Regular security assessments of printing infrastructure should include vulnerability scanning and penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses in other networked devices. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date firmware for networked devices and highlights the need for comprehensive security policies that address all components of enterprise infrastructure. Additionally, network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual communication patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing secure print solutions that require authentication before document processing to reduce the attack surface for these types of vulnerabilities.