Description
The web interface in CUPS before 1.4.2, as used on Apple Mac OS X before 10.6.2 and other platforms, does not properly handle (1) HTTP headers and (2) HTML templates, which allows remote attackers to conduct cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks and HTTP response splitting attacks via vectors related to (a) the product's web interface, (b) the configuration of the print system, and (c) the titles of printed jobs, as demonstrated by an XSS attack that uses the kerberos parameter to the admin program, and leverages attribute injection and HTTP Parameter Pollution (HPP) issues.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 14 | cups | 1.4.2-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | cups | 1.4.2-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | cups | 1.4.2-1 | — |
| Debian 5.0 | cups | 1.3.8-1+lenny7 | DSA-1933-1 |
| Debian 4.0 | cupsys | 1.2.7-4+etch9 | DSA-1933-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 5 | cups +3 | 1:1.3.7-11.el5_4.4 | RHSA-2009:1595 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | cups | 2.1.3-2.3 | openSUSE-SU-2024:10075-1 |
Public exploits
Exploit or proof-of-concept code for this vulnerability is publicly available, which lowers the bar for attackers. Treat it as a reason to patch sooner.
Exploit-DB 1
- CUPS - 'kerberos' Cross-Site Scripting EDB-10001 · remote · Nov 11, 2009 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 3
- RHSA-2009:1595 Red Hat Security Advisory: cups security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- DSA-1933-1 cups cupsys - cross-site scripting Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:10075-1 cups-2.1.3-2.3 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
References
- http://www.cups.org/str.php?L3367
- 1021115 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2009:1595 vendor-advisory
- MDVSA-2010:072 vendor-advisory
- 36956 vdb-entry
- 37308 third-party-advisory
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=529833
- 37360 third-party-advisory
- MDVSA-2010:073 vendor-advisory
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:9153 vdb-entry signature
- http://www.cups.org/documentation.php/relnotes.html
- ADV-2009-3184 vdb-entry
- http://www.cups.org/articles.php?L590
- APPLE-SA-2009-11-09-1 vendor-advisory
- http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3937