150 HP Printer Monitors at Risk as a Result of a Bug
- By David Lukic
- Published: Dec 22, 2021
- Last Updated: Mar 18, 2022
HP printers are revered for their quality and reliability. To the surprise of industry veterans, the computer accessories giant is in the news for a digital security flaw as the year draws to a close. According to security researchers with Printing Shellz, two vulnerabilities in HP’s multifunction printers put 150 product models at risk.
What is the Vulnerability?
The primary HP printer vulnerability is within a physical access port, CVE-2021-39237. There is also a front parsing bug located labeled CVE-2021-39238. This front parsing bug is in the HP MFP M725z device. Security researchers have determined the bugs also compromise additional HP products in its
FutureSmart line. The vulnerable printers date back to 2013.
The CVE-2021-3928 vulnerability is particularly concerning as it can allow for remote exploitation. As an example, an employee can be fooled into surfing the web to a malicious site where a cross-site printing trap is set. The site then prints a document with harmful fonts to the vulnerable multifunction printer. Such a trap empowers digital miscreants to implement arbitrary code that steals information that the user prints, scans, or faxes.
This digital security flaw can prove disastrous for printer operators who use machines to print sensitive or valuable data. As an example, printing usernames, passwords, or financial information on an HP multifunction printer is inherently risky until the proper patch is applied.
The Extent of the Threat
The security researchers referenced above also state the attackers responsible for the bug can perform even deeper attacks into an overarching network. Such an attack can transmit ransomware to the network and machines. An cyber attack of this magnitude is even capable of stealing valuable data from what were otherwise thought to be secure data storage silos.
The HP printer bugs are wormable. Wormable bugs allow for several multifunction printers on a network to be automatically breached in unison.
What Action Should be Taken?
Everyone who works in an office should be aware of the threat detailed above. HP multifunction printers should be viewed in the same light as computers that hackers can access, control and steal information from. If a multifunction printer is compromised, it can harm the organization’s network operations, including the supporting digital infrastructure.
HP representatives state the CVE-2021-39238 vulnerability is critically severe. The printing giant characterizes the CVE-2021-39237 vulnerability as medium in severity.
HP is offering help to owners of its multifunction printers in the form of patches. Implement the patches for the vulnerabilities described above, and you’ll be able to print in full confidence.
