“By ensuring that all interactions with the hardware, such as moving axes, heating components or performing other critical actions, are verified and safe, we can minimize risks and prevent potentially dangerous situations,” Bambu wrote in a FAQ. This was necessary, Bambu wrote, due to the increase in requests to its cloud services “through unofficial channels”, targeted DDOS attacks and “surges of up to 30 million unauthorized requests per day” (link added by Bambu).
While Bambu has generated attention-grabbing “abnormal traffic” before and 3D printer web hacks are real, many of its customers noticed a less touted effect: third-party software and tools like slicers (which convert 3D designs into machine-printable “slices”) and third-party screens, losing direct access to Bambu printers. Instead, the “Bambu Connect” software provides devices such as OrcaSlicer protocols to send printer instructions and retrieve the status of a printer. As initially pitched, this would have applied to all Bambu printers, both in local, non-internet-exposed “LAN mode” and in “Cloud mode”
Notably, those using Bambu's own slicer, Bambu Studio, should not be affected by the upcoming firmware upgrade, as that software will continue to work as is.
“Unfortunately, misinformation is circulating online”
How did this end? So good that four days later, Bambu published a second blog post about the change, subtitled “Setting the record straight about our security update.” In response to “a mix of valuable feedback and unfortunate misinformation circulating online,” the company denied claims about subscription-based printing, remote file monitoring or bricking, third-party filament blocking, and other fears, uncertainties, and doubts.
When using third-party software through Bambu Connect, the difference for users is “not much,” Bambu Lab suggests, adding a GIF of “seamless” authentication to the OrcaSlicer app. More importantly, the company said it would update the LAN mode on its devices so that there is a standard mode with Bambu Connect and a developer mode that leaves open the printer's MQTT, livestream and FTP features.
