Description
The cgi_initialize_string function in cgi-bin/var.c in the web interface in CUPS before 1.4.4, as used on Apple Mac OS X 10.5.8, Mac OS X 10.6 before 10.6.4, and other platforms, does not properly handle parameter values containing a % (percent) character without two subsequent hex characters, which allows context-dependent attackers to obtain sensitive information from cupsd process memory via a crafted request, as demonstrated by the (1) /admin?OP=redirect&URL=% and (2) /admin?URL=/admin/&OP=% URIs.
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 | 1.4.4-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | cups | 1.4.4-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | cups | 1.4.4-1 | — |
| Debian 5.0 | cups | 1.3.8-1+lenny9 | DSA-2176-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 5 | cups +3 | 1:1.3.7-18.el5_5.4 | RHSA-2010:0490 |
| RHEL 4 | cups +2 | 1:1.1.22-0.rc1.9.32.el4_8.6 | RHSA-2010:0490 |
| RHEL 3 | cups +2 | 1:1.1.17-13.3.65 | RHSA-2010:0490 |
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 1.4.2 - Web Interface Information Disclosure EDB-34152 · remote · Jun 15, 2010 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 3
- RHSA-2010:0490 Red Hat Security Advisory: cups security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- DSA-2176-1 cups - several 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
- APPLE-SA-2010-06-15-1 vendor-advisory
- MDVSA-2010:234 vendor-advisory
- ADV-2010-1481 vdb-entry
- http://cups.org/articles.php?L596
- 40871 vdb-entry
- MDVSA-2010:232 vendor-advisory
- SUSE-SR:2010:023 vendor-advisory
- DSA-2176 vendor-advisory
- http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4188
- GLSA-201207-10 vendor-advisory
- ADV-2011-0535 vdb-entry
- 40220 third-party-advisory
- http://cups.org/str.php?L3577
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:9723 vdb-entry signature
- 43521 third-party-advisory