CVE-2024-33616VulnerabilityPublished 26 Nov 2024Updated 4 Nov 2025

CVE-2024-33616: Sharp Multiple MFPs (multifunction printers) · Authentication bypass

Affects Sharp Multiple MFPs (multifunction printers)Source CVE Database V5

Not known to be exploited · CVSS 5.3 Medium.

Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 06:26 UTC

CVSS 3.1 base score

5.3Medium

How severe the flaw is on the 0–10 CVSS scale.

EPSS: 0.8% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 59% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N

Attack Vector: Network
Attack Complexity: Low
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: None
Scope: Unchanged
Confidentiality: Low
Integrity: None
Availability: None

Bold values are the worst case: easiest to exploit or largest impact.

Attack Vector: Network: The vulnerable component is bound to the network stack and the set of possible attackers extends beyond the other options listed, up to and including the entire Internet. Such a vulnerability is often termed 'remotely exploitable' and can be thought of as an attack being exploitable at the protocol level one or more network hops away (e.g., across one or more routers).
Attack Complexity: Low: Specialized access conditions or extenuating circumstances do not exist. An attacker can expect repeatable success against the vulnerable component.
Privileges Required: None: The attacker is unauthorized prior to attack, and therefore does not require any access to settings or files to carry out an attack.
User Interaction: None: The vulnerable system can be exploited without any interaction from any user.
Scope: Unchanged: An exploited vulnerability can only affect resources managed by the same security authority. In this case, the vulnerable component and the impacted component are either the same, or both are managed by the same security authority.
Confidentiality: Low: There is some loss of confidentiality. Access to some restricted information is obtained, but the attacker does not have control over what information is obtained, or the amount or kind of loss is limited. The information disclosure does not cause a direct, serious loss to the impacted component.
Integrity: None: There is no loss of integrity within the impacted component.
Availability: None: There is no impact to availability within the impacted component.

Definitions: FIRST CVSS v3.1 specification.

Exploitation evidence

Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 26 Nov 2024
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponised: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors

A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 2026-10-26.

Disclosed: The CVE record is public on cve.org. Its publication is t = 0.
Detectable: A public nuclei template can find exposed instances, for defenders and attackers alike.
Weaponised: Public exploit code exists in Metasploit or Exploit-DB, or CISA SSVC reports a public proof of concept.
Exploited in the wild: CISA KEV lists it, CISA SSVC rates exploitation active, or a source reports attacks.
Observed by OffSeq Mirage: OffSeq Mirage honeypot sensors recorded attack traffic for this CVE, or found exposed hosts without attack traffic.

Moments are spaced evenly, not to scale; a dashed line marks a gap of six months or more. Deltas count from t = 0. Sources that give only a date (CISA KEV, Exploit-DB, or a time of exactly 00:00Z) read “same day” rather than hours. Metasploit modules carry the flaw’s disclosure date, not their release date, and nuclei templates carry no date, so both appear above but not on the timeline.

What to do

AI-suggested

European organizations should take immediate steps to mitigate this vulnerability beyond generic advice. First, identify all Sharp MFPs in the environment, focusing on older models likely to have the telnet feature enabled. Restrict network access to these devices by implementing network segmentation and firewall rules that limit management interfaces to trusted administrators only. Disable legacy protocols such as telnet on all devices if possible, or isolate devices that require telnet on separate, secured VLANs. Monitor network traffic for unusual access attempts to MFP management interfaces. Apply firmware updates from Sharp Corporation promptly once released to remove the vulnerable telnet feature and patch the authentication bypass. In the interim, enforce strong physical security controls around MFPs to prevent local exploitation. Additionally, consider implementing network access control (NAC) solutions to ensure only authorized devices and users can communicate with MFPs. Regularly audit device configurations and access logs to detect unauthorized administrative access attempts. Training IT staff on the risks associated with networked printers and the importance of timely patching is also critical.

Description

Admin authentication can be bypassed with some specific invalid credentials, which allows logging in with an administrative privilege. Sharp Corporation states the telnet feature is implemented on older models only, and is planning to provide the firmware update to remove the feature. As for the details of affected product names, model numbers, and versions, refer to the information provided by the respective vendors listed under [References].

Impact

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to the confidentiality of information processed or stored on affected Sharp MFPs. Unauthorized administrative access could allow attackers to intercept or manipulate print jobs, access stored documents, or alter device configurations, potentially leading to data leakage or disruption of printing services. In environments where MFPs are integrated into broader IT or operational technology networks, attackers could leverage this access to move laterally, increasing the risk of broader network compromise. Critical sectors such as government, finance, healthcare, and manufacturing in Europe, which often rely on multifunction printers for document handling, could face operational disruptions and data breaches. The vulnerability's ease of exploitation over the network without authentication or user interaction increases the urgency for mitigation. Although no active exploits are known, the potential for future exploitation exists, especially if threat actors develop automated tools targeting these devices. The impact is heightened in organizations that have not segmented their printer networks or lack strict access controls on networked devices.

Summary

CVE-2024-33616 is an authentication bypass vulnerability identified in multiple Sharp Corporation multifunction printers (MFPs). The vulnerability arises because the admin authentication mechanism can be circumvented by submitting certain invalid credentials, which the device erroneously accepts as valid, thereby granting administrative privileges without proper authentication. This flaw is linked to older Sharp MFP models that have the telnet feature enabled, a legacy protocol known for weak security. Sharp Corporation has acknowledged the issue and plans to release firmware updates to remove the telnet feature and address the vulnerability. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-306 (Missing Authentication for Critical Function), indicating that critical functions are accessible without proper authentication. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.3, with an attack vector of network (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), and impacts confidentiality (C:L) but not integrity or availability. This means an attacker can remotely exploit the vulnerability without needing credentials or user interaction, potentially gaining administrative access to the device. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the risk remains significant due to the administrative access granted. The affected product versions are not explicitly listed but are detailed in vendor advisories. The vulnerability could allow attackers to manipulate device settings, access sensitive print jobs, or pivot into internal networks if the MFP is connected to critical infrastructure.

CWE-306Missing Authentication for Critical Function (opens in a new tab)
Base weaknessLikelihood of exploit: HighCWE Top 25 (2025): #21OWASP Top 10 A07:2025: Authentication Failures (opens in a new tab)
The product does not perform any authentication for functionality that requires a provable user identity or consumes a significant amount of resources.
Architecture and Design
Divide the software into anonymous, normal, privileged, and administrative areas. Identify which of these areas require a proven user identity, and use a centralized authentication capability.
Architecture and Design
For any security checks that are performed on the client side, ensure that these checks are duplicated on the server side, in order to avoid CWE-602. Attackers can bypass the client-side checks by modifying values after the checks have been performed, or by changing the client to remove the client-side checks…
Architecture and Design
Where possible, avoid implementing custom, "grow-your-own" authentication routines and consider using authentication capabilities as provided by the surrounding framework, operating system, or environment.
OWASP Cheat Sheets
OWASP Authentication (opens in a new tab)
OWASP ASVS 4.0.3
V1.2.3 (opens in a new tab)
V1.2.2 (opens in a new tab)
V1.2.4 (opens in a new tab)
Attack patterns
Choosing Message Identifier (opens in a new tab)
Force the System to Reset Values (opens in a new tab)
Using Unpublished Interfaces or Functionality (opens in a new tab)
Cross Site Request Forgery (opens in a new tab)
Communication Channel Manipulation (opens in a new tab)
From MITRE CWE, MITRE CAPEC and OWASP (Top 10, OpenCRE).

References

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Exploitation evidence

What to do

Description

AI analysisMachine-generated, updated 4 Nov 2025, 17:53 UTC

WeaknessesCWE-306

Technical details

References

Community reviews

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