OpenPrinting CUPS Remote DoS Vulnerability in Linux Systems

CVE-2025-58364

What is CVE-2025-58364?

CVE-2025-58364 is a vulnerability affecting the OpenPrinting CUPS (Common Unix Printing System), an open-source printing system widely used for managing printers on Linux and other Unix-like operating systems. This particular vulnerability arises from unsafe deserialization and inadequate validation of printer attributes, leading to a null dereference within the libcups library. Such a flaw can result in a remote denial-of-service (DoS) attack, which could disrupt the printing service for all machines on a local network that are configured to listen for printers. In environments where the system has not been properly secured, the impact can be extended to public internet exposure, allowing attackers to exploit this weakness and freeze printing services across multiple systems. To mitigate this issue, OpenPrinting has released version 2.4.13, which incorporates a patch addressing this vulnerability.

Potential impact of CVE-2025-58364

1. Denial of Service (DoS): The primary impact of CVE-2025-58364 is the potential for a DoS attack, which could incapacitate printing services on all affected machines in a local network. This disruption can severely affect organizational productivity and operational efficiency, especially in environments heavily reliant on printing capabilities.

2. Network Vulnerability Expansion: If the affected systems remain accessible to the internet without proper firewall restrictions, the scope for exploitation can extend beyond local networks. This exposes organizations to external threats and increases the likelihood of successful attacks by malicious actors.

3. Operational Risks Due to Unpatched Systems: Many organizations may be running outdated versions of CUPS that are susceptible to this vulnerability. The failure to patch systems can lead to systemic vulnerabilities within the network, increasing the risk of further exploits and potential data breaches or security incidents.

References