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Introduction: A Wake-Up Call for Printer Security š
In a major cybersecurity alert, researchers at Rapid7 have discovered a series of vulnerabilities affecting nearly 700 Brother printers and dozens of models from other well-known vendors like Fujifilm, Ricoh, Konica Minolta, and Toshiba. These vulnerabilities expose both home and enterprise devices to serious security threats, ranging from unauthorized access to full system compromise. As our reliance on printers continues to grow, especially in hybrid work environments, these findings highlight the urgent need for better device security and firmware management.
the Findings: What the Research Uncovered š§Ŗ
Rapid7ās research has unveiled eight significant vulnerabilities affecting 689 Brother devices, including printers, scanners, and label makers. In addition to Brother, at least 46 Fujifilm Business Innovation, five Ricoh, six Konica Minolta, and two Toshiba models are impacted.
The most critical flaw, tracked as CVE-2024-51978, allows an unauthenticated attacker to bypass login systems using the default admin password. This password is derived from a deviceās serial numberāa weakness made worse by another flaw, CVE-2024-51977, which leaks the serial number itself. The two vulnerabilities can be chained together, enabling full control over a targeted printer without any credentials.
Rapid7 discovered that Brotherās devices use a predictable method to generate these default admin passwords during the manufacturing process. Once attackers obtain the serial number, the admin password becomes easily accessible, granting them the ability to reconfigure the device or exploit sensitive functionalities meant for authorized users.
In addition to these critical issues, six out of the eight reported vulnerabilities do not require authentication and carry medium to high severity. These include:
Denial-of-Service (DoS) attacks
Forced TCP connections
External service password theft
Stack overflows
Arbitrary HTTP request execution
These vulnerabilities leave millions of home and business printers exposed to potential attacks, with serious implications for corporate networks and user privacy.
Although Rapid7 disclosed the vulnerabilities to Brother almost a year ago via JPCERT/CC, only partial fixes have been implemented. Notably, CVE-2024-51978 cannot be fully patched through firmware updates, and Brother has stated that future devices will be secured via an updated manufacturing process. For existing devices, only workarounds are available. Other vendors have also released advisories to inform users and IT administrators about the risks.
What Undercode Say: Analysis and Industry Implications š
The Real Risk of Undersecured Printers
Undercodeās cybersecurity team emphasizes that printers have historically been overlooked in terms of security, often treated as peripheral devices rather than full-fledged network endpoints. This mindset has created a massive blind spot in enterprise networks. These new findings confirm what security researchers have long warned: printers can be a gateway for larger attacks, especially when default credentials and weak firmware protections are involved.
Default Passwords: A Persistent Industry Flaw
One of the most alarming revelations is the continued use of default password generation based on serial numbers, a method that has been exploited in other IoT devices in the past. The fact that a critical flaw like CVE-2024-51978 relies on such a predictable security mechanism highlights a severe lapse in security-first design. Brotherās decision to use this system suggests that convenience outweighed safety during development.
Why Firmware Patching Isnāt Always Enough
Despite Brotherās partial response, the inability to fully patch CVE-2024-51978 illustrates a broader industry problemāfirmware limitations. Many embedded devices lack the architecture or updatability to handle critical security upgrades after deployment. This forces vendors to rely on hardware redesigns or inconvenient workarounds, leaving existing users at risk unless they replace their devices entirely.
Supply Chain and Business Risks
These vulnerabilities donāt just affect consumersāthey impact large organizations, government agencies, and healthcare systems that rely on secure document handling. Attackers could abuse compromised printers to launch internal attacks, steal data, or gain footholds into protected networks. In the wrong hands, a compromised device could be a stepping stone to lateral movement across an enterprise.
Vendor Accountability and Transparency
Undercode underscores the importance of transparency from vendors.
Recommendations Moving Forward
Change default passwords immediately on all connected printer devices.
Segment printers from the main enterprise network using VLANs or firewalls.
Monitor firmware updates and subscribe to vendor advisories.
Implement routine security audits that include peripheral and IoT devices.
Replace older models that cannot be patched with modern, secure alternatives.
ā Fact Checker Results
CVE-2024-51978 is real and officially documented.
Brother has confirmed the vulnerability and issued workarounds.
Six of the eight flaws do not require authentication, making exploitation easier.
š® Prediction
In the coming months, printer security will become a major focus for IT departments, especially in enterprises that havenāt updated their device management protocols. We expect other manufacturers to begin auditing their devices for similar flaws, potentially leading to more large-scale vulnerability disclosures. Furthermore, regulatory bodies may introduce new standards for embedded device security, particularly in industries like finance and healthcare where data protection is critical.
References:
Reported By: www.securityweek.com
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