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Major Flaws Discovered in Popular Printer Brands
A widespread security issue has recently been uncovered in nearly 700 printer models manufactured by Brother, along with several others from Fujifilm, Toshiba, Ricoh, and Konica Minolta. This vulnerability could allow remote attackers to infiltrate home and business networks, compromise sensitive documents, and escalate access to other devices or cloud services.
Cybersecurity firm Rapid7 identified eight major vulnerabilities impacting 689 Brother printer models. Among the most serious flaws is CVE-2024-51978, an authentication bypass vulnerability. This flaw enables attackers to generate default administrator passwords simply by deriving them from the deviceās serial numberāa method that is now public knowledge.
Whatās more concerning is that Brother confirmed this default password generation issue cannot be resolved via firmware updates. The only solution is for users to manually change their printer passwords immediately.
Other vulnerabilities discovered can crash the printer, leak credentials, or give access to external services like FTP or LDAP. For instance, CVE-2024-51984 allows an attacker to extract plaintext credentials of configured external services, which can be used to access sensitive data or escalate access across a network.
Brother has issued firmware updates for seven out of the eight vulnerabilities, but users must still take manual action to protect their networks from being compromised.
š the Discovered Threats
Rapid7ās investigation revealed a total of eight critical vulnerabilities across hundreds of Brother printer models and 46 from other brands. The standout issue is a method attackers can use to generate the default administrator password from a leaked serial number. This is especially dangerous because the attacker does not need to be authenticated beforehand.
Once the password is derived, attackers can bypass login screens, gain full access to printer settings, and potentially use the printer as a gateway to access other parts of a userās network. This includes intercepting sensitive documents, retrieving saved passwords, or even pivoting toward cloud services via stolen FTP or LDAP credentials.
Brother confirmed that while firmware updates are available for most issues, the password derivation vulnerability must be handled manually. Without immediate action, networks with affected printers are at a high risk of exploitation, especially in corporate environments where printers may have broader access.
Affected brands also include certain models from Fujifilm, Toshiba, Ricoh, and Konica Minolta, suggesting the issue may stem from shared firmware or architecture components. Security experts urge users to apply available patches, review printer settings, and remove default credentials as soon as possible.
š§ What Undercode Say:
The Human Error Factor
This situation is a textbook example of how built-in convenience features like default passwordsāoften used to streamline setupācan evolve into critical security flaws when not handled properly. Brotherās approach to password generation, though once seemingly harmless, has now become a liability due to its predictability.
Corporate IT at Risk
In business environments, printers often interact with shared drives, LDAP directories, and even cloud repositories. If one printer is compromised, it could serve as a stepping stone for attackers to access far more sensitive infrastructure. Thatās why the pass back vulnerability CVE-2024-51984 is particularly alarming: by exposing plaintext credentials, it allows attackers to gain access to external services such as FTPāservices where highly confidential documents are often stored.
Lack of Permanent Fixes
Perhaps the most troubling aspect is that one of the vulnerabilities cannot be patched. This leaves thousands of users solely responsible for their deviceās security, many of whom might not have the technical knowledge to understand the urgency. Brotherās advice to manually change the password may not reach all users, especially those who rely on default settings and never update their device firmware.
SEO and Cybersecurity Takeaway
From an SEO and digital trust perspective, this breach impacts not only hardware security but also brand reputation. For tech blogs, ecommerce platforms selling these models, and IT service providers, itās crucial to raise awareness and offer guides on how users can secure their printers. Searches related to Brother printer vulnerabilities, password issues, and CVE alerts are expected to surge.
Additionally, tech support and customer service teams should be proactive in notifying customers, offering password change walkthroughs, and ensuring firmware updates are accessible. Undercode recommends checking all connected devices for exposure and segmenting printers from the core network whenever possible.
ā Fact Checker Results šµļøāāļø
ā
CVE-2024-51978 and CVE-2024-51984 are confirmed by Rapid7 and listed in the National Vulnerability Database.
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Brother has acknowledged the flaws, especially the unpatchable password issue.
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Firmware updates are available for 7 of the 8 flaws, but one still requires manual action.
š® Prediction š
Expect this breach to trigger a broader re-evaluation of printer security across both personal and enterprise settings. We foresee a sharp rise in:
Firmware update downloads for Brother and affected models.
Search traffic for CVE-2024-51978 and printer security best practices.
Cyberattacks targeting default credentials, especially in older, unpatched devices.
IT professionals and general users alike will need to shift their perception of printersāfrom simple peripherals to serious security endpoints. Brands that fail to adapt quickly may lose consumer trust in a market where privacy and security are paramount.
References:
Reported By: 9to5mac.com
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