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Shoddy Supply Chain Lurks Behind Mirai Botnet

In-brief: A common, China-based supplier of management software is the common thread that ties together the myriad digital video recorders, IP-based cameras and other devices that make up the Mirai botnet, according to analysis by the firm Flashpoint. 

Firm Finds Crypto Keys Recycled on Thousands of Devices

In-brief: Encryption keys used to secure data on- and communications between embedded devices are being recycled, creating a huge vulnerability that malicious hackers could exploit to snoop on sensitive communications or impersonate devices.

Updated: Nothing But Scary: Wireless Hacks Disable Car on Interstate

In-brief: Researchers Chris Valasek and Charlie Miller are demonstrating wireless attacks on connected vehicles that can alter critical functions like braking and acceleration. (Added comments from Chris Valasek July 21, 2015 12:15 ET)

ARM courting Sansa to boost IoT security | InfoWorld

In-brief: Infoworld writes about the possible deal by ARM to acquire Sansa Security, a maker of security software for embedded systems that populate the Internet of Things.

Supply Chain Risk: Raspberry Pi Device Used for War Shipping

An interesting post on supply chain security over at Security Affairs. The post looks at a new approach to supply chain surveillance (and, presumably, attacks): ‘war shipping.’ War shipping is, of course, a play on the ‘war driving’ scene from the early days of consumer wifi, in which cars outfitted with antennae would canvas whole cities, documenting open wi-fi hotspots that could be used to grab some free Internet. In this case, Security Affairs notes a shippable board-sized package designed by security expert Larry Pesce of Paul’s Security Weekly (fka Pauldotcom). The device can be contained in a standard UPS shipping box and delivered to a target network to passively surveil or even attack it. The kit is built on a Raspberry Pi b_ with an AWUS051NH wireless card, a cheap battery charger, kismet and custom software. Pesce demonstrated the device at Derbycon, a Louisville, Kentucky based event last month. The device includes both […]