CVE-2024-12648: Canon Printer Buffer Overflow Vulnerability

CVE-2024-12648 Overview

CVE-2024-12648 is a critical buffer overflow vulnerability affecting the TIFF data EXIF tag processing functionality in Canon Small Office Multifunction Printers and Laser Printers. This vulnerability exists in the firmware of numerous Canon printer models and allows an attacker on the same network segment to either cause the affected device to become unresponsive or achieve arbitrary code execution.

The vulnerability impacts firmware version v05.04 and earlier across multiple Canon product lines sold in Japan, the United States, and Europe. Affected product families include Satera, Color imageCLASS, and i-SENSYS series devices.

Critical Impact

Network-accessible buffer overflow enabling arbitrary code execution on vulnerable Canon printers without authentication, potentially allowing complete device compromise and lateral movement within enterprise networks.

Affected Products

• Canon Satera MF656Cdw/MF654Cdw (Japan) - firmware v05.04 and earlier
• Canon Color imageCLASS MF656Cdw/MF654Cdw/MF653Cdw/MF652Cdw/LBP633Cdw/LBP632Cdw (US) - firmware v05.04 and earlier
• Canon i-SENSYS MF657Cdw/MF655Cdw/MF651Cdw/LBP633Cdw/LBP631Cdw (Europe) - firmware v05.04 and earlier
• Canon MF455dw/MF453dw/MF452dw/MF451dw/MF465dw/MF462dw series
• Canon LBP237dw/LBP236dw/LBP247dw/LBP246dw series

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-01-28 - CVE-2024-12648 published to NVD
• 2026-01-26 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-12648

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write), a memory corruption vulnerability that occurs when the printer firmware processes malformed TIFF image files containing specially crafted EXIF metadata tags. When parsing EXIF tag data within TIFF images, the firmware fails to properly validate the length or boundaries of input data before writing it to memory buffers.

The vulnerability is exploitable over the network without requiring authentication or user interaction, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where printers are commonly accessible on internal networks. Successful exploitation can result in denial of service (printer becoming unresponsive) or arbitrary code execution, potentially allowing an attacker to gain persistent access to the device, intercept print jobs, or use the compromised printer as a pivot point for further network attacks.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability lies in insufficient bounds checking during the parsing of EXIF metadata within TIFF image files. When the firmware processes TIFF data submitted to the printer (such as through print jobs or fax operations), it allocates a fixed-size buffer for EXIF tag values. The parsing routine does not adequately verify that incoming EXIF data fits within the allocated buffer space, allowing an attacker to supply oversized data that overflows the buffer boundaries.

This out-of-bounds write condition corrupts adjacent memory regions, which can lead to control flow hijacking if the attacker carefully constructs the overflow payload to overwrite return addresses or function pointers stored in memory.

Attack Vector

The attack can be executed by any attacker with network access to the vulnerable printer. The exploitation process involves:

1. Identifying a vulnerable Canon printer on the network segment
2. Crafting a malicious TIFF file with an oversized or malformed EXIF tag
3. Submitting the malicious TIFF to the printer through network printing protocols (such as IPP, LPR/LPD, or SMB printing)
4. The printer's TIFF parsing engine processes the malicious image, triggering the buffer overflow
5. Depending on the payload, the printer either crashes (DoS) or executes attacker-controlled code

The attack requires no authentication and no user interaction, significantly increasing the exploitability of this vulnerability. Embedded devices like printers often lack modern memory protection mechanisms such as ASLR or stack canaries, making exploitation more reliable.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-12648

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected printer crashes, reboots, or unresponsive states when processing print jobs
• Unusual network traffic originating from printer devices to external or internal systems
• Print job logs showing submissions of TIFF files with abnormally large file sizes or unusual metadata
• Evidence of firmware modifications or unauthorized configuration changes on printer devices

Detection Strategies

• Monitor network traffic to printer devices for anomalous patterns, including large TIFF file transfers or unusual connection attempts from printers
• Implement network segmentation to isolate printers and log all cross-segment traffic
• Deploy intrusion detection rules to identify potential TIFF-based exploitation attempts targeting embedded devices
• Establish baselines for normal printer behavior and alert on deviations such as unexpected outbound connections

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable logging on print servers and capture metadata about submitted print jobs
• Monitor for printer device restarts or service interruptions that may indicate exploitation attempts
• Review Canon printer firmware versions regularly and track against known vulnerable versions
• Implement network monitoring on printer VLANs to detect lateral movement attempts

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-12648

Immediate Actions Required

• Update affected Canon printer firmware to a version newer than v05.04 as soon as patches are available from Canon
• Isolate vulnerable printers on dedicated network segments with restricted access
• Disable unnecessary network services on printers and limit access to trusted hosts only
• Review and restrict which users and systems can submit print jobs to affected devices

Patch Information

Canon has released security advisories addressing this vulnerability. Organizations should apply firmware updates following the guidance provided in Canon's official security notices:

• Canon Vulnerability Response (Japan)
• Canon PSIRT Advisory CP2025-001
• Canon Europe Product Security News
• Canon USA Service Notice

Workarounds

• Place vulnerable printers behind firewalls and restrict network access to only authorized print servers and workstations
• Disable direct IP printing and route all print jobs through a centralized print server with additional security controls
• If possible, disable fax and scan-to-email features that may accept external TIFF input
• Consider temporarily taking vulnerable devices offline until patches can be applied in high-security environments

# Example: Restrict printer access using firewall rules (Linux iptables)
# Allow only specific print server to communicate with printer
iptables -A OUTPUT -d 192.168.1.100 -p tcp --dport 9100 -s 192.168.1.10 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A OUTPUT -d 192.168.1.100 -p tcp --dport 9100 -j DROP

# Block printer from initiating outbound connections
iptables -A INPUT -s 192.168.1.100 -m state --state ESTABLISHED,RELATED -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -s 192.168.1.100 -j DROP