CVE-2023-26301

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2023-26301?

CVE-2023-26301 has a CVSS score of 9.8 (CRITICAL). This vulnerability affects certain HP LaserJet Pro printers that lack authentication on specific endpoints, allowing attackers to potentially gain elevated privileges or access sensitive information. Organizations using affected HP printer models are at risk if these devices are network-accessible.

9.8 CRITICAL

Authentication Bypass

📋 TL;DR

This vulnerability affects certain HP LaserJet Pro printers that lack authentication on specific endpoints, allowing attackers to potentially gain elevated privileges or access sensitive information. Organizations using affected HP printer models are at risk if these devices are network-accessible.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

HP LaserJet Pro printers

Versions: Specific models listed in HP advisory

Operating Systems: Printer firmware

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Affects specific HP LaserJet Pro models - check HP advisory for exact model list. Vulnerability exists in default configuration.

📦 What is this software?

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Full compromise of printer functionality, unauthorized access to sensitive documents in print queue, and potential foothold for lateral movement into connected networks.

🟠

Likely Case

Unauthorized access to printer configuration, exposure of network information, and potential disruption of printing services.

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited impact with proper network segmentation and access controls preventing external access to printer management interfaces.

🌐 Internet-Facing: HIGH

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ⚠️ Yes

Complexity: LOW

Exploitation requires network access to printer management interface. No authentication needed for vulnerable endpoints.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Firmware updates specified in HP advisory

Vendor Advisory: https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/ish_8746769-8746795-16/hpsbpi03855

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Visit HP support site 2. Identify your printer model 3. Download latest firmware 4. Apply firmware update via printer web interface or HP tools 5. Reboot printer

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Network Segmentation

all

Isolate printers on separate VLAN with restricted access

Access Control Lists

all

Implement firewall rules to restrict access to printer management interfaces

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Disable remote management interfaces if not required
Implement strict network access controls to limit printer access to authorized users only

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check printer firmware version against HP advisory. Attempt to access printer web interface without authentication.

Check Version:

Check printer display or web interface for firmware version

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify firmware version has been updated to patched version. Test that authentication is now required for all management endpoints.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Unauthorized access attempts to printer management endpoints
Multiple failed authentication attempts

Network Indicators:

Unusual traffic to printer management ports (typically 80, 443, 9100)
Access from unauthorized IP addresses

SIEM Query:

source_ip=printer_ip AND (port=80 OR port=443 OR port=9100) AND user_agent NOT IN (authorized_user_agents)

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2023-26301

CVSS v3 Score: 9.8 (CRITICAL)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CWE: CWE-862

Published: July 21, 2023

Last Updated: November 21, 2024

🔗 References

https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/ish_8746769-8746795-16/hpsbpi03855 Vendor Advisory
https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/ish_8746769-8746795-16/hpsbpi03855 Vendor Advisory

📋 TL;DR

💻 Affected Systems

📦 What is this software?

Color Laserjet Pro 4201 4203 4ra87f Firmware by Hp

Color Laserjet Pro 4201 4203 4ra88f Firmware by Hp

Color Laserjet Pro 4201 4203 4ra89a Firmware by Hp

Color Laserjet Pro 4201 4203 5hh48a Firmware by Hp

Color Laserjet Pro 4201 4203 5hh51a Firmware by Hp

Color Laserjet Pro 4201 4203 5hh52a Firmware by Hp

Color Laserjet Pro 4201 4203 5hh53a Firmware by Hp

Color Laserjet Pro 4201 4203 5hh59a Firmware by Hp

Color Laserjet Pro Mfp 4301 4303 4ra80f Firmware by Hp

Color Laserjet Pro Mfp 4301 4303 4ra81f Firmware by Hp

Color Laserjet Pro Mfp 4301 4303 4ra82f Firmware by Hp

Color Laserjet Pro Mfp 4301 4303 4ra83f Firmware by Hp

Color Laserjet Pro Mfp 4301 4303 4ra84f Firmware by Hp

Color Laserjet Pro Mfp 4301 4303 5hh64f Firmware by Hp

Color Laserjet Pro Mfp 4301 4303 5hh65a Firmware by Hp

Color Laserjet Pro Mfp 4301 4303 5hh66a Firmware by Hp

Color Laserjet Pro Mfp 4301 4303 5hh67a Firmware by Hp

Color Laserjet Pro Mfp 4301 4303 5hh72a Firmware by Hp

Color Laserjet Pro Mfp 4301 4303 5hh73a Firmware by Hp