Source URL: https://it.slashdot.org/story/24/10/05/0413201/akamai-warns-cups-browsed-vulnerability-also-brings-new-threat-of-ddos-attacks?utm_source=rss1.0mainlinkanon&utm_medium=feed
Source: Slashdot
Title: Akamai Warns CUPS-Browsed Vulnerability Also Brings New Threat of DDoS Attacks
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Summary: The text discusses a security vulnerability in the Unix printing system CUPS that could be exploited to launch distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. Research from Akamai has identified over 198,000 internet-accessible devices that are vulnerable, emphasizing the ease and low cost of executing such attacks. This information is crucial for professionals concerned with infrastructure and network security.
Detailed Description: The article outlines a significant security issue involving the Common Unix Printing System (CUPS). Here are the major points expanded for comprehensive understanding:
– **Vulnerability Identification**: Last week, the Register alerted users about vulnerabilities in CUPS, particularly when the `cups-browsed` feature is enabled, raising concerns about systems potentially being taken over remotely.
– **Expert Insight**: Although it was noted that the impact appears to be minor on a large scale, as indicated by the CEO of a cybersecurity platform, the potential risk remains alarming, particularly for exposed systems.
– **Akamai’s Research Findings**:
– Akamai researchers confirmed an exploit that could trigger DDoS attacks through CUPS.
– The technique requires just a single packet sent to a vulnerable CUPS instance that has internet access.
– They identified over **198,000 vulnerable devices** on the public internet.
– Approximately **34%** of these devices, equating to over **58,000**, could be easily harnessed for DDoS attacks.
– **Technical Insights**:
– Many vulnerable devices were found to display an “infinite loop” of requests, making them particularly susceptible to exploitation.
– The resources needed for initiating such an attack are minimal; it would take mere seconds for an attacker to exploit each vulnerable service.
– **Cost of Attacks**: The financial aspect is also concerning, as it would reportedly cost attackers less than a cent on modern cloud platforms to perform the attacks, presenting a scalable and low-risk opportunity for cybercriminals.
Implications for security and compliance professionals:
– **Urgent Action**: Organizations using CUPS should urgently evaluate their systems and configurations to mitigate this vulnerability.
– **Monitoring and Response**: Enhanced monitoring of CUPS services should be prioritized, alongside incident response plans to address potential DDoS attacks.
– **Security Risk Assessment**: This situation emphasizes the importance of conducting regular security assessments of exposed services and implementing robust security controls to protect against exploit vectors.
Overall, this vulnerability poses a significant risk not only to individual systems but also to larger network infrastructures, highlighting the ongoing need for vigilance in cybersecurity practices.