CVE-2015-1158 in CUPS
Summary
by MITRE
The add_job function in scheduler/ipp.c in cupsd in CUPS before 2.0.3 performs incorrect free operations for multiple-value job-originating-host-name attributes, which allows remote attackers to trigger data corruption for reference-counted strings via a crafted (1) IPP_CREATE_JOB or (2) IPP_PRINT_JOB request, as demonstrated by replacing the configuration file and consequently executing arbitrary code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1158 represents a critical memory management flaw within the Common Unix Printing System (CUPS) daemon known as cupsd. This issue specifically affects the scheduler component's handling of IPP (Internet Printing Protocol) requests, particularly when processing job-originating-host-name attributes that contain multiple values. The flaw exists in CUPS versions prior to 2.0.3 and demonstrates a classic case of improper memory deallocation that can lead to severe security consequences. The vulnerability operates through the add_job function located in the scheduler/ipp.c file, where the software fails to properly manage reference counts for string attributes during the processing of IPP_CREATE_JOB and IPP_PRINT_JOB operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from a buffer overflow condition that occurs when the cupsd daemon processes multiple-value attributes in IPP requests. When a malicious attacker sends a crafted IPP request containing malformed job-originating-host-name attributes, the software's memory management routines become confused during the cleanup phase of reference-counted string operations. This improper free operation creates a situation where memory that should remain allocated gets prematurely deallocated, leading to corruption of adjacent memory regions. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to manipulate the configuration file that controls the printing system's behavior, effectively providing a path to arbitrary code execution on the target system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption, as it enables remote code execution capabilities that can be leveraged by attackers to gain full control over systems running vulnerable CUPS versions. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specially designed IPP requests that trigger the memory corruption during the job creation or printing process, potentially allowing them to overwrite critical system memory locations with malicious code. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-415 which describes improper deallocation of memory, and also connects to CWE-787 which addresses out-of-bounds write conditions. The attack vector operates through the network protocol layer, making it accessible to remote adversaries without requiring local system access or authentication.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which involves executing malicious code through command and scripting interpreters, and T1068 which covers privilege escalation through local exploits. The configuration file replacement capability provides attackers with a mechanism to modify system behavior and establish persistent access. Organizations running vulnerable CUPS versions face significant risk as this vulnerability can be exploited by attackers to compromise entire printing infrastructure, potentially affecting multiple connected systems. The remediation strategy requires immediate patching of CUPS to version 2.0.3 or later, along with network segmentation to limit access to printing services and monitoring for suspicious IPP traffic patterns. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and memory management practices in the software development lifecycle can help prevent similar issues in future implementations, particularly focusing on reference counting mechanisms and proper deallocation procedures for dynamic memory structures.