CVE-2023-24924 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE • 04/12/2023
Microsoft PostScript and PCL6 Class Printer Driver Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/28/2023
This vulnerability exists within Microsoft's PostScript and PCL6 class printer drivers, representing a critical remote code execution flaw that could be exploited by attackers to gain unauthorized access to systems. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the printer driver components that handle print job processing and data interpretation. Attackers can craft malicious print jobs containing specially crafted PostScript or PCL6 commands that trigger buffer overflows or arbitrary code execution when processed by vulnerable printer drivers. The flaw specifically affects systems running Windows operating systems that utilize these printer drivers for print queue management and job processing. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited remotely through network-based print services without requiring local system access, making it a significant threat to enterprise environments where network printing is prevalent. The attack surface extends to any system that accepts print jobs from network sources, including print servers, shared workstations, and networked printers that support these driver protocols. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability maps to CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. The remote exploitation capability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, and T1105 for remote file execution. The vulnerability impacts multiple Windows versions including Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2019, and Windows Server 2022, making it a widespread concern for enterprise security teams. The exploitation process typically involves sending malicious print jobs to a target system through network printing services, where the vulnerable driver processes the commands and executes arbitrary code with the privileges of the print spooler service. This privilege escalation scenario can lead to full system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistence mechanisms being established within the network. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments with extensive printer network infrastructure, as a single compromised print server can potentially affect multiple endpoints. Organizations with legacy printer fleets or those using older versions of Windows may face additional challenges in remediation efforts due to compatibility issues with updated driver versions. The technical implementation involves memory corruption vulnerabilities in the parsing logic of printer driver components, specifically when handling complex print job data structures and command sequences. These flaws are often discovered through fuzzing techniques that systematically test driver components with malformed input data, revealing the underlying buffer overflow conditions that allow arbitrary code execution. The impact extends beyond immediate system compromise to include potential lateral movement within networks, as compromised print servers often have elevated privileges and access to internal resources. Security professionals should consider implementing network segmentation to isolate critical printing infrastructure and monitor for anomalous print job processing patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the ongoing challenges in securing printer driver components, which often receive less security attention compared to core operating system components despite their significant attack surface and privilege escalation potential.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal user interaction and can be automated through network-based attack tools. The attack vector typically involves sending malformed print jobs to a vulnerable system, where the printer driver processes the data without proper input validation, leading to memory corruption and code execution. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through legitimate print queue operations, making detection more challenging. The affected driver components are integral to Windows printing functionality and are often running with elevated privileges, providing attackers with potential paths to system compromise. Security researchers have identified that the vulnerability exists in both the x86 and x64 versions of the affected drivers, affecting a broad range of computing environments. The complexity of printer driver architectures means that exploitation may require specific conditions to be met, including proper network access to print services and the presence of vulnerable driver versions. According to industry security frameworks, this vulnerability represents a significant risk to enterprise environments that rely heavily on network printing services and may indicate broader issues in printer driver security architecture. The potential for persistent backdoor installation through this vulnerability makes it a preferred target for advanced persistent threat actors seeking long-term access to networked environments. Organizations should prioritize patching efforts and consider implementing additional monitoring controls around print server activities to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of supply chain security for printer driver components, as attackers may exploit similar flaws in third-party printer drivers that are commonly used in enterprise environments. Network administrators should review their print server configurations and implement access controls to limit network exposure of critical printing infrastructure. The remediation process requires careful consideration of compatibility issues with existing printer fleets and may necessitate coordinated deployment across large enterprise environments. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date driver components and implementing comprehensive security monitoring for all network services, including those traditionally considered less security-critical.