CVE-2017-2743 in LaserJet
Summary
by MITRE
HP has identified a potential security vulnerability with HP Enterprise LaserJet Printers and MFPs, HP OfficeJet Enterprise Color Printers and MFP, HP PageWide Color Printers and MPS before 2308214_000901, 2308214_000900, and other firmware versions. The vulnerability could be exploited to perform a cross site scripting (XSS) attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2743 represents a critical cross site scripting flaw affecting multiple HP printer and multifunction device models across various product lines. This security weakness resides within the web-based management interfaces of these devices, specifically in the handling of user-supplied input parameters that are not properly sanitized before being rendered back to users. The affected devices include HP Enterprise LaserJet printers and MFPs, HP OfficeJet Enterprise Color Printers and MFPs, and HP PageWide Color Printers and MPS, with particular attention to firmware versions prior to 2308214_000901, 2308214_000900, and related releases. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation and sanitization of input data within the web interface components, allowing malicious actors to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users who access the affected devices through their web browsers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of web interface parameters that control device configuration and status display. When a user navigates to a specially crafted URL or interacts with a maliciously constructed web page that targets the affected device's management interface, the device fails to properly escape or validate user input before incorporating it into HTML responses. This allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes in the browser context of authenticated users, potentially enabling unauthorized access to device configuration settings, data exfiltration, or further network infiltration. The flaw operates as a classic reflected cross site scripting vulnerability where malicious input is immediately reflected back to the user without proper sanitization, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrators frequently interact with device web interfaces. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability maps to CWE-79 which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web page generation, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1212 for exploitation of web application vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to gain unauthorized administrative access to printer devices, potentially leading to complete compromise of print infrastructure. Network administrators who regularly access these devices through web browsers become prime targets for this attack vector, as the malicious scripts can capture session cookies, modify device configurations, or redirect users to malicious sites. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where printers serve as entry points for broader network attacks, as compromised print devices can provide attackers with persistent access to internal networks and facilitate lateral movement. Organizations using these affected devices face significant risk of data breaches, unauthorized printing operations, and potential use as staging points for more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability also impacts business continuity by potentially rendering devices inoperable through configuration modification attacks, and can result in unauthorized access to sensitive printed materials that may contain confidential information. The risk assessment indicates this vulnerability should be prioritized for immediate remediation due to its accessibility and potential for causing widespread impact across enterprise printing infrastructure.