Hewlett-Packard has shot down claims that a vulnerability in some of its printers could be used to set the devices on fire. . Researchers at Columbia University in New York this week said they discovered a flaw in HP LaserJet printers that could allow attackers to steal sensitive documents, gain control of corporate networks, or even set the affected devices on fire. These exploits could be accomplished because some HP LaserJet printers do not validate the origin of remote firmware updates before applying them, Salvatore Stolfo, a professor of computer science at Columbia who directed the research, told SCMagazineUS.com on Tuesday. That means anyone can reprogram the devices with malicious firmware. The link for this article located at SC Magazine is no longer available. . HP has identified a possible vulnerability in LaserJet printers that could compromise remote updates and overall system reliability.. HP LaserJet Vulnerability, Printer Firmware Risks, Security Advisory. . LinuxSecurity.com Team
Researchers from Columbia University have demonstrated a security flaw found in, but perhaps not limited to, HP printers which can actually lead to fires. The exploit allows hackers to reprogram printers with custom firmware, giving the attacker full control of printer functions. As a result, the hacker can continually heat a laser printer's fuser until paper begins to burn, MSNBC reports.. Update: HP has released an official statement debunking Msnbc's claim that printers can be set ablaze remotely, although smouldering paper appears to still be a possibility. The link for this article located at TechSpot is no longer available. . Security analysts have raised alarms regarding the susceptibility of HP printers to various attacks, potentially creating significant fire risks.. HP Printers, Fire Risk, Custom Firmware, Security Exploit, Fire Hazards. . LinuxSecurity.com Team
Your network is under attack. You've checked for penetration by outside attackers, and by insiders using servers or client machines. But this attack isn't coming from any of those sources; it's coming from the one place you're least likely to look: your printer/copier. . Sound like a stretch? It isn't. In fact, at the Black Hat Inc. conference later this month, a security researcher will publish proof-of-concept code that demonstrates how an attacker could use a networked printer or copier to take control of a server and launch an exploit across an enterprise. The link for this article located at Dark Reading is no longer available. . Printers may serve as gateways for cybersecurity breaches; understanding how dominion over them can result in significant vulnerabilities is crucial.. Networked Printer Exploits,Cybersecurity Risks,Printer Attacks. . LinuxSecurity.com Team
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