Multiple critical vulnerabilities have been discovered in Canon printer drivers, exposing millions of users to potential cyberattacks. Security researchers recently identified a serious out-of-bounds write vulnerability, now tracked as CVE-2025-1268, lurking in Canon’s printer software. The flaw earned a whopping 9.4 CVSS score – tech speak for “really bad news.” That’s about as comforting as finding out your home security system has been disabled for months.
The vulnerability specifically affects the EMF Recode processing functionality in several Canon Generic Plus printer drivers. These include PCL6, UFR II, LIPS4, LIPSLX, and PS drivers up to version 3.12. Only Windows users need to panic – Mac and Linux folks can relax, this particular digital disaster doesn’t affect them.
EMF Recode vulnerability in Canon drivers makes Windows users sitting ducks while Mac and Linux folks dodge this digital bullet.
Here’s the scary part. This flaw allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on targeted systems. Translation: hackers could run whatever malicious software they want on your computer. They might as well have a skeleton key to your digital life. The vulnerability creates unauthorized memory access outside defined boundaries, fundamentally giving attackers a free pass to bypass security measures and gain elevated system privileges.
The attack could begin with something as simple as a compromised application sending a print job. Next thing you know, your system is compromised. Canon has committed to addressing these issues by releasing fixed drivers to remediate the vulnerability. Your sensitive data? Up for grabs. Your peace of mind? Gone.
Canon has acknowledged the issue and released updated drivers on their regional websites. Of course, that assumes users will actually install them. How many people religiously update their printer drivers? Exactly.
This discovery highlights the often-overlooked security risks in peripheral devices. Printers – those innocuous office workhorses – can serve as perfect entry points for broader network attacks. Who suspects the printer? Nobody, until it’s too late. Alarmingly, these vulnerabilities affect a wide range of devices including both production printers and small office equipment. Without daily antivirus updates and proper security protocols, organizations remain vulnerable to these sophisticated attacks.
The vulnerability’s discovery involved Microsoft’s security team, demonstrating the importance of cross-industry collaboration in identifying critical flaws. Security researchers continue pushing for increased awareness about vulnerabilities in connected devices.
For now, Canon is working with security experts to minimize future vulnerabilities. But this incident serves as a stark reminder: in our hyper-connected world, even the most mundane devices can harbor disturbing security flaws. Your printer might be plotting against you after all.
