Immediate need for printer update installations observed
**Critical Security Vulnerabilities Discovered in Printer Models from Major Brands**
A series of critical security vulnerabilities have been identified in printer models from Brother, Fujifilm, Ricoh, Toshiba, and Konica-Minolta. The most significant of these vulnerabilities, an authentication bypass flaw (CVE-2024-51978), allows attackers to generate the default admin password using the device's serial number [1][3][4].
**Firmware Update Recommendations**
Brother has released firmware updates addressing seven of the eight discovered vulnerabilities for its 689 affected models. However, the critical authentication bypass flaw requires changes at the manufacturing level and cannot be fixed through firmware updates [1][3][4].
For Brother printers, users are advised to check the provided PDF list from Brother or Rapid7 to confirm if their model is affected and if a firmware update is available. Once the update is available, download it from the Brother website or use the printer’s admin interface to apply the update.
Firmware updates for other affected brands, including Fujifilm, Ricoh, Toshiba, and Konica-Minolta, are limited or not yet available. Users are encouraged to check their respective vendor support pages for update information.
**Password Change Recommendations**
Given that the default password is predictable and the critical flaw cannot be patched via firmware, it is highly recommended to change the default administrator password immediately after applying firmware updates. This reduces the risk of remote unauthorized access [1][2][3].
To change the password on the printer, enter its IP address in a browser connected to the same network. After entering the default password, select "Administrator/Login Password" to change the password. It is recommended to note down or save the new password in a password manager for future reference.
**Recommended Actions for All Affected Models**
For all affected models, even if no firmware update is currently available, users should change the default administrator password as a critical mitigation step. Keep checking vendor support pages for firmware updates and security advisories [1][2][4].
This dual approach of updating firmware where possible and immediately changing default admin passwords provides the best available defense against the identified vulnerabilities until manufacturers release new hardware with the underlying security issue resolved at the manufacturing stage.
For more detailed information, please refer to the table below:
| Vendor | Affected Models | Firmware Update Availability | Critical Vulnerability Fix Status | Recommended Action | |-----------------|-----------------|-----------------------------------|----------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------| | Brother | 689 | Updates released for 7 of 8 flaws | Critical flaw requires manufacturing fix | Apply updates, then change default password | | Fujifilm | 46 | Limited updates (details not fully clear) | Same critical flaw present | Change default password immediately | | Ricoh | 5 | Limited or no firmware fixes | Same critical flaw present | Change default password immediately | | Toshiba | 2 | Limited or no firmware fixes | Same critical flaw present | Change default password immediately | | Konica-Minolta | 6 | Limited or no firmware fixes | Same critical flaw present | Change default password immediately |
- To further secure your Brother printer after applying the provided firmware update, consider utilizing technology to manage your passwords, such as a password manager, to ensure the new administrator password remains confidential and easy to access.
- Although firmware updates for other brands, such as Fujifilm, Ricoh, Toshiba, and Konica-Minolta, may be limited or not yet available, the use of advanced technology, like a multi-factor authentication app, can provide an additional layer of security for your printer, preventing unauthorized access.
