CVE-2016-10079 in GUI
Summary
by MITRE
SAPlpd through 7400.3.11.33 in SAP GUI 7.40 on Windows has a Denial of Service vulnerability (service crash) with a long string to TCP port 515.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10079 affects SAP GUI 7.40 version 7400.3.11.33 and earlier on Windows platforms, specifically within the SAPlpd component. This issue represents a denial of service condition that can cause the targeted service to crash and become unavailable to legitimate users. The vulnerability manifests when a maliciously crafted long string is sent to TCP port 515, which is typically associated with the Line Printer Daemon protocol used for printing services. The SAPlpd service processes these network requests and fails to properly handle excessively long input strings, leading to an uncontrolled crash of the service.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation within the SAPlpd component of SAP GUI, which operates as a print server interface for SAP applications. When a malformed or overly long string is transmitted to TCP port 515, the service does not implement proper bounds checking or string length validation mechanisms. This lack of input sanitization allows an attacker to craft a specific payload that causes the service to allocate memory improperly or trigger a buffer overflow condition. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes buffer overflow conditions in stack-based buffers, and CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflows, as the service fails to validate the length of incoming data before processing it. The service crash occurs because the system cannot handle the excessive data length without proper boundary checks, leading to memory corruption and subsequent termination of the process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can affect critical SAP business processes that rely on printing functionality. Organizations using SAP GUI with SAPlpd services may experience production interruptions when attackers exploit this weakness, particularly in environments where printing services are integral to business operations such as document generation, report printing, or transaction processing workflows. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication, making it accessible to any attacker who can reach the target system on TCP port 515. This characteristic places the vulnerability in the ATT&CK framework under the T1499.004 technique category, which covers network denial of service attacks. The service crash can also potentially disrupt business continuity, especially in mission-critical environments where SAP applications are heavily dependent on printing capabilities for document management and reporting.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-10079 should focus on both immediate protective measures and long-term architectural improvements. Organizations should implement network segmentation to restrict access to TCP port 515, particularly from untrusted networks, and deploy firewall rules that limit exposure to only authorized systems. SAP recommends applying the latest patches and updates provided by the vendor to address this specific vulnerability, as the issue was resolved in subsequent releases of SAP GUI. Additionally, implementing input validation controls and monitoring for unusual traffic patterns on port 515 can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Network administrators should also consider disabling the SAPlpd service entirely if printing functionality is not required, or alternatively, configure the service to run with restricted privileges to limit the potential impact of a successful attack. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and defensive programming practices, aligning with security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks for preventing similar issues in enterprise applications.