Printers Vulnerable To Security Threats

jcatcw writes "Networked printers are more vulnerable to attack than many organizations realize. Symantec has logged vulnerabilities in five brands of network printers. Printers outside firewalls, for ease of remote printing, may also be open to easy remote code execution. They can be possible launching pads for attacks on the rest of the network. Disabling services that aren't needed and keeping up with patches are first steps to securing them." From the article: "Security experts say that printers are loaded with more complex applications than ever, running every vulnerable service imaginable, with little or no risk management or oversight.... [N]etworked printers need to be treated like servers or workstations for security purposes — not like dumb peripherals."

Comments

Re:Try it out

[Anonymous Monkey]

What most people don't get is that that cute, slim-line print kit that they slid in the back of there copy machine is, in fact, made out of lap top parts and running DOS. Any multifunction print system is a computer with a printer & scanner attached, and should be treated thusly.

Re:Campus Printers

[afidel]

The LPT/USB port isn't usually disabled, so just hook up a cable and print =)