CVE-2012-5221 in LaserJet
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the PostScript Interpreter, as used on the HP LaserJet 4xxx, 5200, 90xx, M30xx, M4345, M50xx, M90xx, P3005, and P4xxx; LaserJet Enterprise P3015; Color LaserJet 3xxx, 47xx, 5550, 9500, CM60xx, CP35xx, CP4005, and CP6015; Color LaserJet Enterprise CP4xxx; and 9250c Digital Sender with model-dependent firmware through 52.x allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/01/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-5221 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the PostScript interpreter component of various HP LaserJet and Color LaserJet printer models. This weakness exists in firmware versions through 52.x and affects a wide range of enterprise printing devices including the HP LaserJet 4xxx, 5200, 90xx series, M30xx, M4345, M50xx, M90xx, P3005, and P4xxx series, along with the LaserJet Enterprise P3015 and Color LaserJet 3xxx, 47xx, 5550, 9500, CM60xx, CP35xx, CP4005, and CP6015 series, as well as the Color LaserJet Enterprise CP4xxx and 9250c Digital Sender. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation within the PostScript interpreter that processes print jobs, creating an avenue for unauthorized file access.
This directory traversal vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically targets the printer's PostScript processing capabilities which are fundamental to document rendering and print job execution. The technical implementation allows remote attackers to exploit unknown vectors that bypass normal file access controls, enabling them to read arbitrary files from the printer's file system. The vulnerability is classified as a CWE-22 directory traversal issue, where the PostScript interpreter fails to properly sanitize input parameters before processing them, leading to path manipulation that can access files outside the intended directory structure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe for enterprise environments where these printers are commonly deployed. Attackers can potentially access sensitive configuration files, system logs, user credentials, and other confidential data stored on the printer's internal storage. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require physical access to the devices, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in networked environments. This weakness can be leveraged to escalate privileges and potentially gain further access to network resources, as printers often serve as entry points for lateral movement within corporate networks.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to credential access and privilege escalation through network services. The vulnerability enables adversaries to perform reconnaissance on printer systems and extract valuable information that could be used for further attacks. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates from HP, network segmentation to isolate printing devices, and monitoring for unusual print job patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of securing embedded systems and IoT devices within enterprise networks, as these devices often receive less attention in security assessments despite their potential to serve as attack vectors.