A Vulnerability in HP, Xerox, and Samsung Printer Drivers Could Allow Attackers to Gain Administrator Rights on a System

by CIRT Team

09 Aug 2021

in Security Advisories & Alerts

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DESCRIPTION:
A vulnerability has been discovered HP, Xerox, and Samsung printer
drivers, which could result in local privilege escalation. A printer
driver is a piece of system software that allows your computer to
interact with your printer. This vulnerability specifically deals with
an old printer driver from 2005 called SSPORT.SYS which affects hundreds
of millions of devices and millions of users worldwide. Successfully
exploitation of this vulnerability might allow attackers to potentially
install programs, view, change, encrypt or delete data, or create new
accounts with full user rights.

IMPACT:
A vulnerability has been discovered in HP, Xerox, and Samsung printer
drivers which could result in local privilege escalation. HP, Xerox, and
Samsung are prone to a local privilege escalation vulnerability that
could allow a user with basic user privileges to elevate their
privileges to SYSTEM and run code in kernel mode, potentially bypassing
security products that would block their attacks or the delivery of
additional malicious payloads. Successfully exploiting this
vulnerability (SSPORT.SYS) might allow attackers to potentially install
programs, view, change, encrypt or delete data, or create new accounts
with full user rights.

SYSTEM AFFECTED:
* Please refer to the reference section for the full list of systems
affected for HP and Xerox

RECOMMENDATIONS:
We recommend the following actions be taken:
* Apply the latest patches provided by HP and Xerox
* Run all software as a non-privileged user (one without administrative
privileges) to diminish the effects of a successful attack.
* Remind users not to visit un-trusted websites or follow links provided
by unknown or un-trusted sources.
* Inform and educate users regarding the threats posed by hypertext
links contained in emails or attachments especially from un-trusted sources.
* Apply the Principle of Least Privilege to all systems and services.

REFERENCES:
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/16-year-old-bug-in-printer-software-gives-hackers-admin-rights/
https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2021-3438
https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/ish_3900395-3833905-16/hpsbpi03724
https://labs.sentinelone.com/cve-2021-3438-16-years-in-hiding-millions-of-printers-worldwide-vulnerable/
https://securitydocs.business.xerox.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/cert_Security_Mini_Bulletin_XRX21K_for_B2XX_PH30xx_3260_3320_WC3025_32xx_33xx.pdf