CVE-2023-27973 in LaserJet Pro
Summary
by MITRE • 04/28/2023
Certain HP LaserJet Pro print products are potentially vulnerable to Heap Overflow and/or Remote Code Execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/25/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-27973 affects specific HP LaserJet Pro printer models and represents a critical heap overflow condition that could potentially lead to remote code execution. This flaw exists within the print device's firmware handling mechanisms, specifically when processing certain print jobs or network communications. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and memory management practices within the printer's embedded system architecture. According to hp's security advisory, affected devices include various models within the HP LaserJet Pro series that utilize the web-based administration interface or support network printing protocols.
The technical exploitation of this heap overflow vulnerability occurs when maliciously crafted print data or network packets are sent to the affected printer. The flaw manifests during the processing of print jobs that contain oversized or malformed data structures, causing the heap memory allocation to exceed its boundaries. This memory corruption can potentially allow an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations and execute arbitrary code on the device. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited remotely without requiring physical access to the device, making it a significant threat to networked printing environments.
From an operational impact perspective, successful exploitation of CVE-2023-27973 could enable attackers to gain full control over affected printers, potentially leading to data exfiltration, man-in-the-middle attacks, or use of the devices as launching points for further network infiltration. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely heavily on networked printing infrastructure, as compromised printers could serve as entry points for broader attacks within corporate networks. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage and potentially T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter execution. Organizations with multiple affected printers face increased risk of coordinated attacks across their print infrastructure.
The mitigation strategy for this vulnerability involves immediate firmware updates from HP, which address the heap overflow conditions through improved input validation and memory management. Network segmentation should be implemented to isolate affected printers from critical network segments, while access controls should be strengthened to limit who can send print jobs to these devices. Monitoring network traffic for suspicious print job patterns and implementing intrusion detection systems can help identify potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider disabling unnecessary network services on affected devices and establishing regular vulnerability assessment procedures for their print infrastructure. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure firmware development practices and aligns with CWE-122 which addresses heap-based buffer overflow conditions, emphasizing the need for proper memory management in embedded systems.