According to security researchers at Columbia University, a vulnerability exists within certain models of older HP printers, that could allow an attacker to hack and control your network printer.
The vulnerability allows an attacker to upload firmware to HP printers that are running outdated firmware, providing them with the ability to duplicate all print jobs, disable the printer, gain access to the internal networks and yes, even cause the printer to catch on fire.
In their testing, the researchers were able to overheat the printer’s fuser, causing paper to turn brown and smoke.
Unfortunately, there isn’t any easy way to tell if your printer has been hacked, because in most circumstances, it will continue to operate as normal. The only thing we can tell you is to make sure that your printer, whether HP or from another vendor, is running the most updated firmware available. If it’s more than a few years old, it’s time to upgrade.
To read more about this bug, visit SC Magazine’s website here.
-John and Mike
