CVE-2015-3279 in cups-filters
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in filter/texttopdf.c in texttopdf in cups-filters before 1.0.71 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted line size in a print job, which triggers a heap-based buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/01/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-3279 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the cups-filters package, specifically in the texttopdf component's filter/texttopdf.c module. This issue affects versions prior to 1.0.71 and demonstrates a classic software security weakness that can be exploited to compromise system integrity. The vulnerability resides in how the system processes print job data, particularly when handling line size parameters within text-based print requests. When a maliciously crafted print job contains an oversized line size parameter, the integer overflow condition triggers a cascade of memory management failures that can lead to system instability.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a heap-based buffer overflow mechanism that stems from improper input validation and integer arithmetic handling. When the texttopdf filter processes a print job with an oversized line size, the system performs calculations that exceed the maximum value representable by the integer data type, causing the overflow to occur. This overflow corrupts adjacent memory locations within the heap allocation, potentially allowing attackers to overwrite critical program variables or function pointers. The vulnerability's classification as a heap-based buffer overflow aligns with CWE-121, which specifically addresses heap-based buffer overflow conditions that occur when insufficient bounds checking is performed on heap-allocated memory regions. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires only remote access to a print server, making it accessible to attackers who can submit print jobs to the system.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-3279 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable arbitrary code execution within the context of the printing service. This capability places organizations at significant risk as attackers could leverage the vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to systems, escalate privileges, or establish persistent backdoors within network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects print servers that utilize cups-filters for processing text-based print jobs, which represents a substantial portion of enterprise printing environments that rely on CUPS (Common Unix Printing System) for print management. Organizations using affected versions of cups-filters may experience service interruptions, data corruption, or complete system compromise when exploited by malicious actors. The attack surface is particularly wide given that many organizations maintain print servers that are accessible over networks and may not be adequately protected or monitored for such attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The primary and most effective mitigation involves upgrading to cups-filters version 1.0.71 or later, which contains the necessary patches to prevent the integer overflow condition from occurring. Security administrators should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly. Additional protective measures include implementing network segmentation to isolate print servers from critical network segments, deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious print job submissions, and configuring proper access controls to limit who can submit print jobs to affected systems. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which involves the use of command and scripting interpreters, as attackers may attempt to leverage the compromised print service to execute malicious payloads. Organizations should also consider implementing input validation and sanitization measures at the print queue level to prevent malformed print jobs from reaching vulnerable components. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining instances of the vulnerable software within the organization's infrastructure.