CVE-2024-0794 in LaserJet Pro
Summary
by MITRE • 02/20/2024
Certain HP LaserJet Pro, HP Enterprise LaserJet, and HP LaserJet Managed Printers are potentially vulnerable to Remote Code Execution due to buffer overflow when rendering fonts embedded in a PDF file.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/15/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-0794 represents a critical security flaw affecting multiple HP printer models including the LaserJet Pro series, HP Enterprise LaserJet devices, and HP LaserJet Managed Printers. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of font data within PDF files processed by these devices, creating a pathway for remote code execution attacks. The flaw manifests when printers attempt to render embedded fonts in PDF documents, specifically during the font parsing and processing phases of print job execution. The affected devices operate under the assumption that font data will conform to expected parameters, but maliciously crafted font structures can exceed allocated memory buffers, leading to unpredictable behavior and potential system compromise.
This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-121, which describes a stack-based buffer overflow condition where insufficient bounds checking allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The technical implementation involves the printer's embedded operating system failing to validate the size and structure of font data before attempting to load it into memory buffers. When a malicious PDF file containing oversized or malformed font data is sent to the printer, the buffer overflow can overwrite critical program memory, potentially allowing an attacker to inject and execute arbitrary code on the affected device. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no physical access to the device and can be executed remotely through network-connected print services, making it a significant threat to enterprise environments where these printers are commonly deployed.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple device compromise, as it can enable attackers to gain persistent access to network infrastructure through compromised printers. Printers often serve as gateways to internal networks and may have elevated privileges or access to sensitive documents and systems. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish command and control channels, monitor print jobs, or use the compromised devices as launching points for further attacks against network resources. The attack surface is particularly broad given that these printer models are widely deployed in corporate, educational, and government environments where they may process sensitive documents and have network connectivity. Additionally, the nature of print jobs means that attackers could potentially intercept and manipulate confidential information during the printing process, creating both confidentiality and integrity risks.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including firmware updates from HP to address the buffer overflow vulnerability, network segmentation to isolate printer devices from critical systems, and monitoring of print job activities for suspicious patterns. The mitigation strategy should also include disabling unnecessary network services on affected devices and implementing strict access controls for print queues. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability affects organizations that must adhere to standards such as iso 27001, nist cybersecurity framework, and pci dss requirements for protecting sensitive data. The vulnerability also aligns with attack techniques documented in the mitre att&ck framework under initial access and execution phases, particularly techniques related to exploitation of remote services and command and control communications. Regular vulnerability assessments and network monitoring should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts, while incident response procedures should be updated to include printer-specific threat scenarios.