TL;DR Summary: A printer scanned in 2024 was later found (in 2025) to have a critical hardware flaw that couldn’t be patched. The vulnerable Brother device was isolated immediately, and a replacement was recommended to protect the client’s network.
Client Profile
Meet Naomi*, the Graphic Designer Who Prints Big and Dreams Bigger
Naomi is a graphic designer who runs her boutique studio out of her home. Her workflow blends high-concept design tools with hands-on tech – she uses smart, colour-changing bulbs that match the moodboard palette, and relied on a trusty Brother printer for printing official paperwork. With frequent file sharing, remote contractors, and a growing archive of intellectual property, her network needs to stay both fast and secure.
Issues in Summary
Old Scan, New Threat
During our network scan, conducted in 2024, Naomi’s Brother printer was logged and found to be up to date. Fast forward to mid-2025, our automated monitoring flagged a newly disclosed vulnerability in 689 Brother printer models. This flaw made it possible for remote attackers to gain unauthorized access—even when the device was believed to be secure. Because the flaw couldn’t be fixed with a firmware update, the risk escalated significantly.
Why is it Dangerous?
- Permanent backdoor: The vulnerability lies in a hardcoded password in Brother’s firmware, which attackers can use to access the printer remotely.
- No patch, no peace: Brother announced that no firmware update would be issued to resolve the flaw for affected models.
- Stealthy exploitation: The attack can occur without user interaction—like a “silent printer job” from a remote hacker.
- Wider exposure: If the printer is on a business network, an attacker could use it as a stepping stone to access more critical systems.
What Can Attackers Do?
- Exfiltrate print data, including sensitive documents, contracts, and emails sent to the printer.
- Map internal networks by using the printer as a reconnaissance point.
- Launch lateral attacks, using the printer as a low-profile bridge to other devices on the same subnet.
Fixes Now and for Later
Immediate Response:
On our advice, the printer was immediately isolated from the local network and shared via a USB cable to a desktop computer instead.
Long-term Plan:
Given Brother’s announcement that the flaw was unfixable, we recommended retiring the device and replacing it with a newer model that supports modern security protocols (like encrypted print jobs and admin credential management). Naomi planned the upgrade during her studio’s quarterly equipment refresh to minimize disruption.
Key Takeaways
- 🔒 Old devices can become new threats – bad actors are continuously searching for gaps
- 📇 Ongoing monitoring matters – proactive vulnerability tracking keeps you up to date
- 🖨️ Networked printers need love too – if its on your network, it needs to be on your radar
- 🚫 “Unpatchable” should mean “unpluggable” – disconnect gear you can’t secure.
*Client names have been changed to avoid identification. Naomi’s client code name is Golden Scarab.
