Tag Archives: firmware

Just about every Windows and Linux device vulnerable to new LogoFAIL firmware attack

Getty Images reader comments 152 Hundreds of Windows and Linux computer models from virtually all hardware makers are vulnerable to a new attack that executes malicious firmware early in the boot-up sequence, a feat that allows infections that are nearly impossible to detect or remove using current defense mechanisms. The attack—dubbed LogoFAIL by the researchers… Read More »

Vulnerabilities in Supermicro BMCs could allow for unkillable server rootkits

Getty Images reader comments 32 with If your organization uses servers that are equipped with baseboard management controllers from Supermicro, it may be time, once again, to patch seven high-severity vulnerabilities that attackers could exploit to gain control of them. And sorry, but the fixes must be installed manually. Typically abbreviated as BMCs, baseboard management… Read More »

Backdoored firmware lets China state hackers control routers with “magic packets”

Getty Images reader comments 36 with Hackers backed by the Chinese government are planting malware into routers that provides long-lasting and undetectable backdoor access to the networks of multinational companies in the US and Japan, governments in both countries said Wednesday. The hacking group, tracked under names including BlackTech, Palmerworm, Temp.Overboard, Circuit Panda, and Radio… Read More »

Millions of PC motherboards were sold with a firmware backdoor

BeeBright/Getty Images reader comments 94 with Hiding malicious programs in a computer’s UEFI firmware, the deep-seated code that tells a PC how to load its operating system, has become an insidious trick in the toolkit of stealthy hackers. But when a motherboard manufacturer installs its own hidden backdoor in the firmware of millions of computers—and… Read More »

Vulnerabilities allowing permanent infections affect 70 Lenovo laptop models

Enlarge (credit: Lenovo) For owners of more than 70 Lenovo laptop models, it’s time once again to patch the UEFI firmware against critical vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit to install malware that’s nearly impossible to detect or remove. The laptop maker on Tuesday released updates for three vulnerabilities that researchers found in the UEFI firmware… Read More »

Hackers can infect >100 Lenovo models with unremovable malware. Are you patched?

Enlarge / This is the 14-inch variant of the Yoga Slim 9i, with leather finish. reader comments 72 with 52 posters participating Share this story Lenovo has released security updates for more than 100 laptop models to fix critical vulnerabilities that make it possible for advanced hackers to surreptitiously install malicious firmware that can be… Read More »

Undocumented backdoor that covertly takes snapshots found in kids’ smartwatch

reader comments 73 with 51 posters participating Share this story A popular smartwatch designed exclusively for children contains an undocumented backdoor that makes it possible for someone to remotely capture camera snapshots, wiretap voice calls, and track locations in real time, a researcher said. The X4 smartwatch is marketed by Xplora, a Norway-based seller of… Read More »

When coffee makers are demanding a ransom, you know IoT is screwed

reader comments 357 with 209 posters participating, including story author Share this story With the name Smarter, you might expect a network-connected kitchen appliance maker to be, well, smarter than companies selling conventional appliances. But in the case of the Smarter’s Internet-of-things coffee maker, you’d be wrong. Security problems with Smarter products first came to… Read More »