CVE-2013-0200 in Linux Imaging And Printing Project
Summary
by MITRE
HP Linux Imaging and Printing (HPLIP) through 3.12.4 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the (1) /tmp/hpcupsfilterc_#.bmp, (2) /tmp/hpcupsfilterk_#.bmp, (3) /tmp/hpcups_job#.out, (4) /tmp/hpijs_#####.out, or (5) /tmp/hpps_job#.out temporary file, a different vulnerability than CVE-2011-2722.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0200 affects HP Linux Imaging and Printing (HPLIP) software versions through 3.12.4, presenting a significant security risk through insecure temporary file handling practices. This issue enables local attackers to perform symlink attacks against multiple temporary files used during print job processing, creating a persistent vector for privilege escalation and arbitrary file manipulation. The vulnerability specifically targets five distinct temporary file locations including /tmp/hpcupsfilterc_#.bmp, /tmp/hpcupsfilterk_#.bmp, /tmp/hpcups_job#.out, /tmp/hpijs_#####.out, and /tmp/hpps_job#.out, all of which are susceptible to symbolic link attacks that can be exploited by malicious local users.
The technical flaw stems from the improper handling of temporary files within the HPLIP printing subsystem, where the software creates temporary files without adequate security checks to prevent symlink-based attacks. When these temporary files are created using predictable naming patterns and stored in world-writable directories such as /tmp, attackers can establish symbolic links with the same names before the legitimate process creates the actual files. This race condition allows the attacker to control what files are written to during the printing process, potentially leading to arbitrary file overwrites with elevated privileges. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-377, which addresses insecure temporary file creation practices, and demonstrates the classic race condition attack pattern that has been documented in numerous security advisories.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file overwrites, as it can enable local users to escalate privileges and potentially gain unauthorized access to system resources. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can manipulate the print job processing pipeline to overwrite critical system files, configuration data, or even executable binaries, potentially leading to full system compromise. The attack requires local access but can be particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where less privileged users might leverage this vulnerability to gain higher privileges. This weakness represents a significant concern for system administrators managing printing services, as it can be exploited to undermine the integrity of the print subsystem and potentially provide a foothold for further attacks within the network infrastructure.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of affected HPLIP versions, ideally upgrading to versions that address the insecure temporary file handling. System administrators should also implement additional protective measures such as restricting write permissions to temporary directories, monitoring for suspicious symbolic link creation patterns, and ensuring proper file ownership verification before temporary file creation. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices for temporary file management and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, as attackers may leverage the compromised printing system to execute malicious payloads. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect unauthorized file overwrites and symbolic link creation in system directories, particularly within the /tmp filesystem where these vulnerabilities commonly manifest.