Overview
In this blog post, we will delve into the details of a critical vulnerability within SEIKO EPSON’s printer drivers for Windows operating systems. Specifically, this vulnerability, labeled CVE-2025-42598, affects multiple SEIKO EPSON printer drivers that have been configured with improper access permission settings, especially when installed or used in a language other than English. This flaw can potentially lead to severe consequences, including system compromise or data leakage, and is therefore a matter of significant concern for users and administrators of these drivers.
Vulnerability Summary
CVE ID: CVE-2025-42598
Severity: High (CVSS: 7.8)
Attack Vector: Local
Privileges Required: Low
User Interaction: Required
Impact: System compromise, data leakage
Affected Products
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Product | Affected Versions
SEIKO EPSON Printer Driver | All non-English versions
How the Exploit Works
The vulnerability stems from the improper access permission settings embedded within SEIKO EPSON printer drivers when installed or used in a language other than English. An attacker can exploit this flaw by tricking a user into placing a specifically crafted DLL file in a location of the attacker’s choice. Once this file is placed, the attacker can execute arbitrary code with SYSTEM privilege on a Windows system where the printer driver is installed, leading to potential system compromise or data leakage.
Conceptual Example Code
Below is a conceptual example of how the vulnerability might be exploited, using a crafted malicious DLL file:
C:\> move /y c:\path\to\malicious.dll c:\Windows\System32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3\E_IPSLBSE.DLLIn this example, a malicious DLL file is moved to the directory where the vulnerable printer driver is located. When the printer driver is invoked, it will load the malicious DLL, executing the code within it with SYSTEM privileges.