Elevated Privileges Vulnerability in CUPS Package
Summary
ALPINE-CVE-2022-26691: A logic issue was addressed with improved state management. Affects cups versions < 2.3.3-r2. Fixed in 2.3.3-r2. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Habilume
Habit tracker with a companion that grows with you
Complete habits, earn Lume Points, and watch your Lume grow as you stay consistent.
Background
CUPS (Common UNIX Printing System) is an open-source printing system for Unix-like operating systems that allows a computer to act as a print server. It provides a standard printing interface and supports various printing protocols. The CUPS package is widely used in many Linux distributions, including Alpine Linux. This vulnerability affects multiple versions of CUPS across various Alpine Linux releases.
Vulnerability Detail
A logic issue was identified in the CUPS package that could allow an application to gain elevated privileges. This vulnerability arises from improper state management, which can be exploited by malicious applications to execute unauthorized actions with higher privileges than intended. The potential ramifications include unauthorized access to system resources and sensitive data, making it critical to address this vulnerability promptly.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
2.3.3-r2
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apk add --upgrade cupsTip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
If immediate patching is not feasible, consider restricting access to the CUPS service or disabling it until the update can be applied. This can be done by stopping the CUPS service using the command:
service cups stop
Conclusion
The CUPS package in various versions of Alpine Linux has a vulnerability that could allow applications to gain elevated privileges due to a logic issue. It is crucial to update to the patched versions to mitigate this risk. Users are encouraged to monitor their systems and apply the necessary updates promptly.
See every vulnerability recorded for cups →
FAQ
The CVSS score of this vulnerability is 6.7, indicating a medium severity level.
The affected versions include CUPS in Alpine Linux v3.13, v3.14, v3.15, v3.16, v3.17, v3.18, v3.19, v3.20, v3.21, and v3.22.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. You can check your application using the Vulert playground without any signup.
The vulnerability could allow unauthorized applications to gain elevated privileges, leading to unauthorized access to system resources and sensitive information.
Yes, you can restrict access to the CUPS service or disable it temporarily until the patch is applied.
References
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for cups.
Habilume
Habit tracker with a companion that grows with you
Complete habits, earn Lume Points, and watch your Lume grow as you stay consistent.
