Hot or not: Network embedded device security threats

Hot: Expect attackers to increasingly target networked, multifunction devices, such as high-end printers, scanners and fax machines, as these devices continue to grow more sophisticated and move away from proprietary operating systems and software.

While security managers find it challenging enough to maintain secure patch levels across their organisations' desktops, servers and networking gear, there's a new class of network equipment that you'll need to add to the list: high-end networked scanners, copiers, printers and multi-function devices.

These may not be the devices most targeted for attack right now, but they're likely to move up that list very soon. First, the manufacturers are increasingly moving away from proprietary operating systems and software that run these devices in favour of readily-available operating systems.

Second, there has been heightened visibility regarding the vulnerabilities associated with these devices, including a presentation at this year's Black Hat security conference. Recently, while at a customer site, we identified vulnerabilities on a networked printer that left the organisation open to attack.

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