Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Vulnerability Exploitable via Printer Protocols Affects All Windows Versions
Softpedia ^ | Jul 12, 2016 21:05 GMT | Catalin Cimpanu

Posted on 07/13/2016 9:34:12 PM PDT by Utilizer

Microsoft has patched today a critical security vulnerability in the Print Spooler service that allows attackers to take over devices via a simple mechanism. The vulnerability affects all Windows versions ever released.

Security firm Vectra discovered the vulnerability (CVE-2016-3238), which Microsoft fixed in MS16-087. At its core, the issue resides in how Windows handles printer driver installations and how end users connect to printers. Exploit executes payload under SYSTEM user

By default, in corporate networks, network admins allow printers to deliver the necessary drivers to workstations connected to the network. These drivers are silently installed without any user interaction and run under the SYSTEM user, with all the available privileges.

Vectra researchers discovered that an attacker can replace these drivers on the printer with malicious files that allow them to execute any code they'd like on the infected machine.

The attack can be launched from the local network or via the Internet, thanks to the Internet Printing Protocol or the webPointNPrint protocol. This type of attack can be delivered via innocuous methods such as ads (malvertising) or JavaScript code hidden in compromised websites.

(Excerpt) Read more at news.softpedia.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Computers/Internet
KEYWORDS: exploit; malware; microsoft; printers; security; windows; windowspinglist
Links in article. Windows yuuszers (sic) take note, especially if you rely upon printing for your business.
1 posted on 07/13/2016 9:34:12 PM PDT by Utilizer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: dayglored

Ping...


2 posted on 07/13/2016 9:36:44 PM PDT by Utilizer (Bacon A'kbar! - In world today are only peaceful people, and the muzrims trying to kill them)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Utilizer

Gee whiz, I guess I might have been correct once. Again.

My internet browsing computer is NOT connected to any printer. My work computer is not connected to the web. My printer is connected to NOTHING until I want to print. From the web or the work box.

I run scans on all files I want to print before they get connected.

I STILL have to get my boxes cleaned annually.

I HATE virusboys and hackrs


3 posted on 07/14/2016 12:07:05 AM PDT by Don W ( When blacks riot, neighborhoods and cities burn. When whites riot, nations and continents burn)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Don W

I use coupon.com for manufacturer coupons, and every time they do an update, their patch installs a UNKNOWN printer in the computer. We have only 1 printer and it is set as default printer.

Step Daughter is IT Specialist who owns her own business and she hates malware, viruses etc. She has all our computers as hack and virus proof as she can get them. Constantly preaching about the necessity to back up all your work in a online service like the cloud, or on a external hard drive.


4 posted on 07/14/2016 6:26:37 AM PDT by GailA (If politicians won't keep their promises to the Military, they won't keep them to you!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Utilizer; Abby4116; afraidfortherepublic; aft_lizard; AF_Blue; amigatec; AppyPappy; arnoldc1; ...
Printer vuln, finally fixed in Patch Tuesday release ... PING!

You can find all the Windows Ping list threads with FR search: just search on keyword "windowspinglist".

Thanks to Utilizer for the ping!!

5 posted on 07/14/2016 6:57:31 PM PDT by dayglored ("Listen. Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson