CVE-2024-11346 in Lexmark
Summary
by MITRE • 02/13/2025
: Access of Resource Using Incompatible Type ('Type Confusion') vulnerability in Lexmark International CX, XC, CS, et. Al. (Postscript interpreter modules) allows Resource Injection.This issue affects CX, XC, CS, et. Al.: from 001.001:0 through 081.231, from *.*.P001 through *.*.P233, from *.*.P001 through *.*.P759, from *.*.P001 through *.*.P836.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-11346 represents a critical type confusion issue within the PostScript interpreter modules of Lexmark International's CX, XC, and CS series printers. This type confusion vulnerability stems from improper handling of resource types during the interpretation of PostScript commands, creating a scenario where the system processes data structures using incompatible type definitions. The flaw manifests when the interpreter encounters malformed or malicious PostScript code that exploits the type confusion to manipulate memory layouts and resource allocations. This particular vulnerability falls under CWE-415, which specifically addresses double free errors and memory corruption issues arising from improper type handling in resource management operations. The PostScript interpreter's failure to properly validate type consistency during resource allocation creates an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by attackers to inject malicious resources into the system's execution environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple resource injection to encompass potential system compromise and unauthorized access to printer functionalities. When exploited, the type confusion allows attackers to manipulate how the printer interprets and processes print jobs, potentially enabling arbitrary code execution or denial of service conditions. The affected product lines span multiple firmware versions, indicating a widespread exposure across Lexmark's printer portfolio where the PostScript interpreter module has not been properly hardened against type confusion attacks. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability by crafting malicious PostScript documents that trigger the type confusion during processing, leading to memory corruption that might allow privilege escalation or system instability. This vulnerability directly relates to ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers PostScript execution, and T1499.004, covering network denial of service, as the exploitation could result in both code execution and service disruption within the printer's operational environment.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate firmware updates from Lexmark to address the underlying type confusion in the PostScript interpreter modules. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to affected printers and deploy print job filtering mechanisms that validate PostScript content before processing. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of updated firmware versions to ensure compatibility with existing print environments while addressing the root cause of the type confusion vulnerability. Additional defensive measures include implementing strict access controls for printer management interfaces and monitoring for unusual print job patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider disabling unnecessary PostScript processing capabilities when not required for specific print operations, reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation of this type confusion vulnerability. The fix must address the core interpreter logic to ensure proper type validation and resource allocation handling during PostScript command processing, preventing the conditions that enable resource injection through type confusion attacks.