A security flaw in these widely used barcode scanners could open up warehouses and stores to cyberattack

Kaspersky researchers set out to see if there are any hidden attack vectors on warehouse infrastructure and are now claiming they found one through a barcode scanner model “from a major manufacturer”.

So, in theory, a malicious actor could obtain the Bluetooth address of the base station through passive eavesdropping on Bluetooth traffic.

Through this method, a theoretical attacker could gain an initial foothold on a computer within the warehouse network.

The researchers are saying the risk is quite large, since these devices are “widely used” in warehousing, retail, and multiple other sectors.

Barcode scanners and related handheld terminals are also widely used in retail stores, manufacturing facilities, hospitals, pharmaceutical operations, and transportation networks.