DCP-J928N-W/B: Use of Weak Credentials
CVE-2024-51978 is a critical-severity use of weak credentials vulnerability in DCP-J928N-W/B from Brother Industries, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected DCP-J928N-W/B versions: 1.0 through 1.03(B). The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 15.8% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is in the top 3.07% of all scored CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Check which version of DCP-J928N-W/B you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE; 35 further products are omitted here. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (rapid7.com).
Official description
An unauthenticated attacker who knows the target device's serial number, can generate the default administrator password for the device. An unauthenticated attacker can first discover the target device's serial number via CVE-2024-51977 over HTTP/HTTPS/IPP, or via a PJL request, or via an SNMP request.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Use of Weak Credentials
The product uses weak credentials (such as a default key or hard-coded password) that can be calculated, derived, reused, or guessed by an attacker.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- When the user changes or sets a password, check the password against a database of already compromised or breached passwords. These passwords are likely to be used in password guessing attacks.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: yes, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
Other references
- assets.contentstack.io/v3/assets/blte4f029e766e6b253/blt6495b3c6adf2867f/685aa980a26c5e2b1026969c/vulnerabili…
- github.com/projectdiscovery/nuclei-templates/blob/main/http/cves/2024/CVE-2024-51978.yaml
- github.com/sfewer-r7/BrotherVulnerabilities
- support.brother.com/g/b/link.aspx?prod=group2&faqid=faq00100846_000
- support.brother.com/g/b/link.aspx?prod=group2&faqid=faq00100848_000
- support.brother.com/g/b/link.aspx?prod=lmgroup1&faqid=faqp00100620_000
- konicaminolta.com/global-en/security/advisory/pdf/km-2025-0001.pdf
- rapid7.com/blog/post/multiple-brother-devices-multiple-vulnerabilities-fixed
- toshibatec.com/information/20250625_02.html
- bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/brother-printer-bug-in-689-models-exposes-default-admin-passwords/
- darkreading.com/endpoint-security/millions-brother-printers-critical-unpatchable-bug
- securityweek.com/new-vulnerabilities-expose-millions-of-brother-printers-to-hacking/
Recent Use of Weak Credentials vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 8.6 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
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