Network failures could threaten PCs and printers

Flaws in widely used networking technology are exposing millions of computers, printers and storage units to attack by hackers on the internet, said researchers from a developer of security software. The problem is in routers for computers and other equipment for networks that make use of a pattern commonly employed, known as Universal Plug and Play, or UPnP. It facilitates identification and communication with equipment, reducing the work to establish networks.
The Rapid7 security software developer said it discovered between 40 million and 50 million devices that are vulnerable to attack due to three different sets of problems identified by the researchers of the company in the UPnP standard. The list of equipment includes products from manufacturers including Belkin, D-Link, Netgear and Cisco Linksys Division. Representatives from Belkin, D-Link, Linksys and Netgear could not be contacted for comment. The Vice President of technology of software security company Veracode, Chris Wysopal, said he believed that the publication of the findings of the Rapid7 can attract attention to the area still emerging UPnP security, leading other researchers to seek more flaws in UPnP. "This falls into the category of creepy," said Wysopal, who reviewed the findings of Rapid7. "There will be a lot more research on this. And the subsequent search can be much more scary. "