Hacking Flaw In HP Printers

April 7th, 2006: Flaws in the software running on two HP printer models can enable hackers unauthorised access networked Windows-based PCs. But HP moves ahead with Open Source integration.

By Tim Smith

In what has been a good and bad week for Hewlett Packard, it Software Security Response Team is advising people using its HP Colour LaserJet 2500 and 4600 printer's Toolbox application that a security vulnerability has been identified that may allow "…an unauthorized remote attacker to read arbitrary files". While it's Open Source unit announced a simplified way to use Open Source and Commercial-ware.

The security flaw, which was brought to HP's attention by Sec1.com has already been patched using the HP Color LaserJet 2500/4600 Software Update version 3.1.

Open Source IntegratesAccording to the company, the HP Open Source Integrated Portfolio (OSIP) is,' Designed to accelerate the adoption of open source software in data centres, the new provides customers with an easy way to deploy a wide range of open source, commercial and hybrid applications across Linux, Windows® and HP-UX 11i environments.'

This mix of hardware and modular process/services sits squarely with the comments made to IDM by HP's CTO for Open Source and Linux at the recent LinuxWorld show, IDM was told that, "All our enterprise products, already support RedHat and SuSE Linux on a worldwide basis. But some regions make very specific choices regarding their Open Source implementations. However, our organisation supports all certifications, therefore we can provide a single point for our clients."

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