Multiple Critical CUPS Vulnerabilities Expose Linux Systems to Remote Attacks: CVE-2024-47176

A set of newly disclosed vulnerabilities in the Linux Common Unix Printing System (CUPS) highlights significant security risks, including remote command execution and data manipulation. The most severe, CVE-2024-47176, involves improper network binding in cups-browsed (≤ 2.0.1), which allows attackers to trigger malicious print requests through attacker-controlled URLs. If successfully exploited, these vulnerabilities could lead to full system compromise, with potential impacts on data security and system integrity.

Breakdown of the Key CVEs, including CVE-2024-47176

• CVE-2024-47176: Affects cups-browsed (≤ 2.0.1) and causes it to bind on UDP INADDR_ANY:631. This flaw makes it susceptible to malicious IPP (Internet Printing Protocol) requests from attacker-controlled URLs. Attackers could exploit this to trigger unauthorized Get-Printer-Attributes requests.
• CVE-2024-47076: Targets libcupsfilters (≤ 2.1b1), specifically the cfGetPrinterAttributes5 function. This vulnerability occurs due to improper validation of IPP attributes. As a result, attacker-controlled data could flow through the entire CUPS system, leading to system compromise.
• CVE-2024-47175: Affects libppd (≤ 2.1b1), specifically the ppdCreatePPDFromIPP2 function, which fails to sanitize IPP attributes before writing them to a temporary PPD file. This flaw allows injection of malicious data into the file, potentially compromising system functionality.
• CVE-2024-47177: Found in cups-filters (≤ 2.0.1), where the foomatic-rip component allows arbitrary command execution via the FoomaticRIPCommandLine parameter in PPD files. This can be exploited to run malicious commands with elevated privileges.

Threat and Impact of CVE-2024-47176 on Business Operations

The impact of these vulnerabilities could be disastrous for businesses relying on Linux systems to handle print services. Attackers can exploit these flaws to execute arbitrary commands, escalate privileges, and inject malicious code. Particularly in environments where CUPS systems are accessible via networks, the consequences could include data theft, system takeover, and operational disruptions.

Best Practices for Mitigating CVE-2024-47176 and These Other Vulnerabilities

Here’s what businesses can do to mitigate the risks posed by these vulnerabilities:

1. Disable Unused Print Services: If CUPS is not essential to your organization, it’s best to disable it entirely to eliminate potential attack vectors.
2. Restrict Network Access: Limit exposure by restricting access to port 631 to only trusted internal networks, reducing the chance of external attacks.
3. Patch Management: As patches for these vulnerabilities are developed, make sure to implement them promptly. Continuous monitoring of vulnerability announcements is key.
4. Penetration Testing: Proactive testing can help identify whether your system is exposed to such threats. Services like NorDef’s Next-Gen Crowd-Sourced Pentest can schedule tests to ensure continuous protection.
5. Security Audits: Review the overall security posture of your infrastructure regularly to identify and mitigate potential attack vectors.

Conclusion

The recent CUPS vulnerabilities underscore the importance of regularly reviewing and securing network-exposed services. In today’s landscape, where attackers continuously search for entry points, even commonly used systems like CUPS can become a serious security risk. Organizations must act swiftly to patch their systems, review access policies, and perform regular security testing to avoid devastating attacks. At Nordic Defender, we offer tailored solutions to help businesses secure their infrastructure and stay ahead of emerging threats.