When it comes to reliable printers, Brother has often been at the forefront. In fact, The Verge has repeatedly recognized it as a top choice for consumers. However, recent developments in cybersecurity have raised serious concerns about the safety of Brother devices, as they may contain critical zero-day vulnerabilities that cybercriminals could exploit.
These vulnerabilities were uncovered by Rapid7, a prominent cybersecurity firm. In a blog post detailing their findings, Rapid7’s experts identified eight distinct zero-day vulnerabilities affecting various Brother printers. Among these, one vulnerability—CVE-2024-51978—stands out as particularly concerning. It involves an authentication bypass that could potentially let hackers obtain the printer’s password.
A remote, unauthenticated attacker can leak a device’s serial number through various means and, in turn, generate its default administrator password. This occurs due to a flaw in Brother’s default password generation procedure, which assigns each device’s password based on its unique serial number during manufacturing. Brother has indicated that addressing this vulnerability will require changes to the manufacturing process, as it cannot be completely rectified through firmware updates.
Rapid7 initially reached out to Brother Industries about these issues last year. Since then, the two parties have been collaborating to work on solutions. It’s critical to note that these vulnerabilities may also affect other brands, including Fujifilm, Ricoh, Toshiba, and Konica Minolta, as noted by researchers.
Dark Reading highlights that millions of devices could potentially be affected. Fortunately, researchers have found no evidence that these vulnerabilities are being actively exploited. Brother has also issued patches to help mitigate these security flaws.
In addition to applying the patches, users are strongly advised to change their default administrator passwords. This precaution is vital to protect against CVE-2024-51978, which could allow unauthorized individuals to reconfigure the printer or access features meant for authenticated users. Failing to take this step may leave your device vulnerably exposed, allowing attackers to exploit the default password.
Brother Industries has expressed gratitude to Rapid7 for their discovery efforts. In a recent statement, they informed customers about the preventive measures available on their support website.
Can my Brother printer be hacked? Yes, recent vulnerabilities could allow unauthorized access if proper precautions are not taken, like changing default passwords.
What should I do if my printer is impacted by these vulnerabilities? It’s essential to install any patches provided by Brother and change the default administrator password to safeguard your device.
Are other brands affected by these vulnerabilities? Yes, brands like Fujifilm, Ricoh, Toshiba, and Konica Minolta have also been reported to be impacted by similar security issues.
How can I secure my Brother printer? Ensure you update the firmware with patches and always change your default passwords to prevent unauthorized access.
Where can I find more information about these vulnerabilities? Brother’s support website is an excellent resource for updates and mitigation strategies regarding these security concerns.
Staying informed about the security of your devices is crucial in today’s digital landscape. Understanding potential vulnerabilities can help you take proactive measures to protect your equipment and personal information online. For more insights and tips on technology and security, feel free to explore related content at Moyens I/O.