CVE-2023-39470
Papercut Ng ≤ 22.1.1
Raw vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HCVSS and EPSS are reproduced from their sources (NVD, FIRST EPSS). Risk Priority is our own derived reading, not an NVD score.
Summary
CVE-2023-39470 is a high-severity Exposed Dangerous Method or Function (CWE-749) vulnerability in Papercut Papercut Ng. Its CVSS base score is 7.2 (High).
Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Junk Data (T1001.001); ranked in the top 23% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
The strongest mitigations our analysis identified map to AC-3 (Access Enforcement) and AC-6 (Least Privilege) — see the control section below for these in your framework.
Deeper analysis AI-assisted summary
Synthesised by an AI model from the NVD description and linked references — a reading aid, not an authoritative source.
CVE-2023-39470 is a remote code execution vulnerability in PaperCut NG that stems from exposure of a dangerous function tied to the print.script.sandboxed setting. The flaw permits an authenticated remote attacker to run arbitrary code on affected installations, with execution occurring in the context of the SYSTEM account. It was originally reported as ZDI-CAN-20965 and carries a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.2.
An attacker with administrative credentials can exploit the exposed function over the network to achieve full control of the host. No user interaction is required beyond the initial authentication, and the attack does not cross trust boundaries.
Public advisories from PaperCut and the Zero Day Initiative address the issue and are available at the referenced URLs, directing administrators to apply the corresponding security updates or configuration changes.
The associated EPSS score has remained near 0.16 with only minor variation between its current and peak values, indicating no pronounced post-disclosure increase in observed exploitation activity.
OWASP Top 10 for Web (2025)
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2023-43193
Vulnerability Data
PaperCut NG print.script.sandboxed Exposed Dangerous Function Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of PaperCut NG. Authentication is required to exploit this vulnerability. The specific flaw exists within the management of…
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the print.script.sandboxed setting. The issue results from the exposure of a dangerous function. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of SYSTEM. Was ZDI-CAN-20965.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise Techniques
CVEs Like This One
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Control response
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- 4 hardening rules · 2 OS baselines
V8.2.1
Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5) AI
Access enforcement directly stops unauthorized callers from invoking dangerous API methods or functions.
Least privilege restricts which users or processes may reach dangerous methods, limiting exposure.
Least functionality removes or disables non-essential dangerous methods from the exposed interface altogether.
Mitigating Controls (NIST CSF 2.0) AI
Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→CSF cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.
Vulnerability identification processes will surface exposed dangerous methods during assessment.
Enforcing least-privilege authorization directly prevents unrestricted dangerous API methods.
Logical access controls at the network/environment layer can limit reachability of exposed functions.
Secure SDLC practices stop developers from exposing dangerous functions in the first place.
Mitigating Controls (ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Annex A) AI
Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→ISO cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.
Hardening callouts derived
Configuration rules from DISA STIG baselines that bear on weaknesses of the type cited by this CVE. Each rule is shown with the relationship its mapping actually records, against the CWE it was authored against. Derived via CVE→CWE over `controls_xwalks` (higher-evidence rows only; rows rated `none` are excluded).
Ubuntu 22.04 (3 rules)
- V-260559 Ubuntu 22.04 LTS must ensure only users who need access to security functions are part of sudo group. blocks CWE-749
- V-260529 Ubuntu 22.04 LTS must be configured so that remote X connections are disabled, unless to fulfill documented and validated mission requirements. blocks CWE-749
- V-260557 Ubuntu 22.04 LTS must be configured to use AppArmor. blocks CWE-749
Ubuntu 24.04 (1 rule)
- V-270748 Ubuntu 24.04 LTS must ensure only users who need access to security functions are part of sudo group. blocks CWE-749