CVE-2018-5923 in LaserJet Enterprise
Summary
by MITRE
In HP LaserJet Enterprise, HP PageWide Enterprise, HP LaserJet Managed, and HP OfficeJet Enterprise Printers, solution application signature checking may allow potential execution of arbitrary code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/22/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-5923 affects a range of HP enterprise and managed printers including the HP LaserJet Enterprise, HP PageWide Enterprise, HP LaserJet Managed, and HP OfficeJet Enterprise series. This issue resides within the solution application signature checking mechanism that is designed to validate the integrity and authenticity of software components installed on these devices. The flaw represents a critical security weakness in the printer firmware's code validation process that could potentially be exploited by malicious actors to execute unauthorized code on affected systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient signature verification mechanisms within the printer's operating system. When the printer receives solution applications or firmware updates, it performs signature checking to ensure that the code originates from authorized sources and has not been tampered with during transmission. However, the vulnerability allows attackers to bypass these signature validation checks through carefully crafted inputs or by exploiting weaknesses in the cryptographic verification process. This weakness directly relates to CWE-311, which addresses the absence of proper data protection mechanisms, and CWE-312, which covers the exposure of sensitive information through improper handling of cryptographic signatures. The vulnerability creates an attack surface where malicious code can be executed with the privileges of the printer's system, potentially leading to complete compromise of the device and its network environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-5923 extends beyond individual printer compromise to threaten entire network infrastructures. Enterprise printers often serve as critical components in business environments where they handle sensitive documents and may be connected to internal networks without proper segmentation. When exploited, this vulnerability allows attackers to gain persistent access to print environments, potentially enabling them to monitor print jobs, redirect documents to unauthorized recipients, or use the compromised printers as entry points for lateral movement within the network. According to ATT&CK framework category T1068, this vulnerability could facilitate privilege escalation and persistence mechanisms, while T1566 covers the initial access vectors that might leverage this weakness. The compromised printers could also serve as command and control nodes for broader network attacks, particularly in environments where printer security is not adequately considered in overall security postures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-5923 require immediate action from organizations utilizing affected HP printer models. The primary recommended approach involves applying the official firmware updates provided by HP to address the signature checking vulnerability. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to isolate printer environments from critical business systems, ensuring that even if a printer is compromised, the attack surface remains limited. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary printer services, implementing strict access controls for printer management interfaces, and monitoring network traffic for unusual patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider deploying network intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious communication patterns associated with printer exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date firmware across all networked devices and demonstrates the necessity of treating peripheral equipment with the same security rigor applied to traditional computing systems, as outlined in industry standards such as NIST SP 800-44 for secure networked printer implementations.