CVE-2025-1268 is a critical security vulnerability classified as CWE-787: Out-of-bounds Write, affecting multiple Canon Inc. printer drivers, including the Generic Plus PCL6 Printer Driver and several other related drivers such as Generic Plus UFR II, LIPS4, LIPSLX, PS, FAX, UFRII LT, CARPS2, and PDF drivers. The vulnerability arises in the EMF (Enhanced Metafile) Recode processing component of these drivers. An out-of-bounds write occurs when the software writes data outside the boundaries of allocated memory buffers, which can lead to memory corruption. This type of flaw can be exploited by an unauthenticated attacker remotely (network vector) without user interaction, as indicated by the CVSS vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N). The vulnerability impacts confidentiality and integrity to a high degree and availability to a lesser extent, with a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.4 (critical). Exploitation could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the printer driver process, potentially leading to full system compromise or disruption of printing services. The affected versions are 3.12 and earlier of the listed Canon printer drivers. No patches have been published yet, and no known exploits are currently observed in the wild. However, given the severity and ease of exploitation, this vulnerability represents a significant risk to environments using these drivers, especially in enterprise and government settings where Canon printers are widely deployed. The vulnerability's presence in multiple driver variants increases the attack surface, and the network-exploitable nature means that attackers could target vulnerable printers remotely without requiring authentication or user interaction.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk, particularly for enterprises, government agencies, and institutions that rely on Canon printers with the affected drivers. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized code execution, data breaches, or disruption of printing infrastructure, which is critical for document handling and business operations. Confidentiality breaches could expose sensitive documents, while integrity compromises could allow attackers to manipulate print jobs or inject malicious payloads. Availability impacts, although rated lower, could disrupt workflows and cause operational delays. The network-exploitable nature means attackers could target printers exposed on internal networks or via VPNs without needing user interaction, increasing the risk of lateral movement within corporate networks. This is especially concerning for organizations with remote or hybrid work models where printers may be accessible over less secure network segments. The lack of available patches at the time of disclosure further elevates the risk, necessitating immediate mitigation efforts to prevent exploitation.

1. Immediate mitigation should include isolating affected Canon printers from untrusted networks and restricting network access to trusted management and user segments only. 2. Disable or restrict EMF Recode processing features if configurable, to reduce attack surface. 3. Monitor network traffic for unusual activity targeting printer ports or protocols associated with Canon drivers. 4. Implement network segmentation to limit exposure of printers to critical systems. 5. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to detect anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. 6. Engage with Canon support channels to obtain patches or updated drivers as soon as they become available and prioritize their deployment. 7. Conduct internal audits to inventory all Canon printer drivers in use, verifying versions and updating or replacing outdated drivers. 8. Educate IT and security teams about this vulnerability to enhance monitoring and incident response readiness. 9. Consider temporary use of alternative printing solutions or drivers if feasible until patches are released.