Detecting and Mitigating Remote Code Execution Exploits in CUPS

In "Detecting and Mitigating Remote Code Execution Exploits in CUPS," Michael Clark discusses vulnerabilities in the Common Unix Printing System (CUPS) that permit remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via the "cups-browsed" process on UDP port 631. These vulnerabilities, identified as four CVEs, pose significant risks of privilege escalation and misconfigurations. While vendors like Ubuntu and RedHat have released patches, unpatched systems remain vulnerable to exploits that can be detected using Falco or Sysdig Secure's threat detection rules. The article emphasizes the importance of checking system configurations, especially for open ports and enabled services, and recommends mitigation strategies such as disabling the CUPS browser service or blocking port 631 through firewall settings. Additionally, Sysdig Secure provides automated responses to identified threats, including killing malicious processes or containers, while its Cloud Security Posture Management solution offers proactive measures to prevent misconfigurations that could expose systems to attacks.