CVE-2024-35244 identifies a critical security vulnerability in multiple Sharp Corporation multifunction printers (MFPs) caused by the presence of hard-coded credentials embedded in hidden maintenance accounts. These accounts are intended for use by maintenance engineers but are accessible if an attacker can obtain the passwords, for instance, by analyzing device coredumps. The vulnerability allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to gain unauthorized access to the device, enabling reconfiguration and potentially further compromise of the network environment. The CVSS v3.1 score of 9.1 reflects the vulnerability's high impact on confidentiality and integrity, with no requirement for privileges or user interaction, and no impact on availability. The vulnerability affects multiple models and versions, with detailed affected product information provided by Sharp Corporation. Exploitation can be performed remotely over the network, making it a significant threat vector. Although no active exploits have been reported in the wild, the risk remains substantial due to the ease of exploitation and the critical role MFPs play in enterprise environments. Attackers leveraging these credentials could manipulate device configurations, intercept or alter print jobs, or use the compromised device as a foothold for lateral movement within corporate networks. The vulnerability underscores the risks associated with embedded devices that have hard-coded credentials, a common but dangerous security flaw in IoT and networked hardware.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a severe risk to the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive information processed through Sharp MFPs. Attackers exploiting the hard-coded credentials can gain unauthorized administrative access to the devices, potentially intercepting confidential print jobs, altering device configurations, or using the compromised printers as pivot points for broader network intrusions. This could lead to data breaches, intellectual property theft, or disruption of business operations. Given the critical nature of multifunction printers in office workflows, especially in sectors like finance, healthcare, government, and legal services, the impact could be substantial. Furthermore, compromised devices could be leveraged to bypass network security controls or to launch attacks against other internal systems. The lack of availability impact means the devices remain operational, potentially masking the compromise. European organizations with large deployments of Sharp MFPs or those integrated into sensitive environments are particularly vulnerable. The threat also raises compliance concerns under regulations such as GDPR, where unauthorized access to personal data could result in significant penalties.

Organizations should immediately consult Sharp Corporation's official advisories to identify affected models and apply any available firmware updates or patches. In the absence of patches, network-level mitigations should be implemented, including isolating MFPs on dedicated VLANs with strict access controls and monitoring network traffic for anomalous activity related to printer management protocols. Disable or restrict access to maintenance accounts where possible, and change default or hard-coded credentials if the device allows. Employ network segmentation to limit the exposure of MFPs to untrusted networks and enforce strong authentication mechanisms for device management interfaces. Regularly audit and monitor logs for unauthorized access attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider deploying endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of identifying lateral movement originating from compromised printers. Vendor engagement is critical to ensure timely updates and to understand the full scope of affected devices. Finally, incorporate these devices into the organization's broader vulnerability management and incident response plans.