HP 8028e firmware update bricks 3rd party inks

[kurtwestphal]

HP OfficeJet 8020/OfficeJet Pro 8020/OfficeJet Pro 8030 All-in-One Printer series Firmware Update, 

• 004.2349A
• 67.9 MB
• Mar 8, 2024

https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/hp-officejet-pro-8020e-all-in-one-printer-series/model/21001846...

The latest firmware update V004.2349A prohibits the use of 3rd party inks and bricks your printer,  unless you purchase HP inks, the printer refuses to print.

Do not install this update

Do not allow your printer to autoinstall or upgrade the firmware on this printer

* to disable allowing firmware upgrades, go to Settings + Printer Maintenance> + Update the Printer> + Printer Update Options> + Select 'Do Not Check'

HP hides the previous firmware releases, so a printer owner can not roll back to a working printer firmware version.

HP claims the firmware does this to prevent malicious code execution in 3rd party chip sets, yet the underlying CVE makes no mention of the 802x printer family as being vulnerable or using the impacted network stack.  https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c06640149

Presumably HP is lying about the vulnerability, and also is not transparent with end users about that fact or notifying users that functionality was being taken away and that 3rd party ink users, would be prevented from using their printers. 

Their subscription brand, https://www.hp.com/us-en/printers/instant-ink/plans.html doesn't detail actual printer costs, only subscription rates, if HP offered end users substantial cost benefits that were actually visible, they could build their subscription model honestly, without resorting to deceptive firmware upgrades.

Dave and Bill are rolling in their graves.  this is so far from the 'HP Way'.

HP is being sued because it coerces HP printer owners, attempts to force a defacto HP ink use, through deceptive business practices.  https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/01/hp-sued-again-for-blocking-third-party-ink-from-printers-acc...