CVE-2019-14308 in Printer
Summary
by MITRE
Several Ricoh printers have multiple buffer overflows parsing LPD packets, which allow an attacker to cause a denial of service or code execution via crafted requests to the web server. Affected firmware versions depend on the printer models. One affected congiguration is cpe:2.3:o:ricoh:sp_c250dn_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* up to (including) 1.06 running on cpe:2.3:o:ricoh:sp_c250dn:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*, cpe:2.3:o:ricoh:sp_c252dn:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*. Another affected congiguration is cpe:2.3:o:ricoh:sp_c250sf_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* up to (including) 1.12 running on cpe:2.3:o:ricoh:sp_c250sf:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*, cpe:2.3:o:ricoh:sp_c252sf:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/04/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2019-14308 represents a critical buffer overflow issue affecting multiple Ricoh printer models that process LPD (Line Printer Daemon) packets. This flaw exists within the web server component of affected devices and demonstrates a classic software security weakness that can be exploited through crafted network requests. The vulnerability specifically targets the parsing logic that handles incoming LPD packets, which are commonly used for print job queuing and management in networked printing environments. These printers operate as network services that accept print jobs from remote systems, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking to compromise network infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within the printer's firmware. When the web server processes incoming LPD packets, it fails to properly validate the size and structure of incoming data before copying it into fixed-size buffers. This allows an attacker to send maliciously crafted packets that exceed the allocated buffer space, resulting in memory corruption that can trigger arbitrary code execution or cause the system to crash. The vulnerability affects specific firmware versions of Ricoh SP C250DN, SP C252DN, SP C250SF, and SP C252SF models, with the affected firmware versions ranging from the initial release up to 1.06 and 1.12 respectively. The underlying flaw aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it creates potential for remote code execution on affected devices. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can gain unauthorized access to the printer's operating system, potentially allowing them to modify printer configurations, access stored print jobs, or use the compromised device as a foothold for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects networked printing infrastructure that is often overlooked in security assessments, creating blind spots in organizational security postures. The attack surface is broad as these printers typically operate on standard network ports and may be accessible from multiple network segments, including internal networks where they are often placed for convenience.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate firmware updates from Ricoh, which address the buffer overflow conditions through proper input validation and memory management. Network segmentation should be implemented to isolate affected printers from critical network segments, while firewall rules can restrict access to printer services to only authorized systems. The implementation of network monitoring solutions can help detect anomalous LPD traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive inventory audits to identify all affected printer models and ensure that firmware updates are applied consistently across all devices. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving remote service exploitation and privilege escalation, with potential for lateral movement through compromised printer services. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of securing Internet of Things devices and embedded systems, which often receive less security attention than traditional computing platforms.