IoT Flaws Reveal Need to Work with Researchers

Two new vulnerabilities within IoT devices could have given cyber-criminals direct access to the personal data and home networks of consumers, according to McAfee Labs. At the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain, McAfee’s advanced threat research team revealed new vulnerabilities in both BoxLock and Mr. Coffee coffee makers, demonstrating the need for consumers to be aware of the cyber risks inherent in the connected devices they bring into their lives. BoxLock, a smart padlock designed to protect deliveries, reportedly had a vulnerability that enabled hackers to remotely unlock the device. Researchers revealed that they were able to open BoxLock using the built-in barcode scanner using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), a wireless technology used in many IoT and smart devices. “I was amazed; the phone that I used to send the GATT command over had never connected to the BoxLock before and did not have the BoxLock application installed, yet it was able to unlock the BoxLock,” wrote Sam Quinn, security researcher, McAfee. Researchers applauded the response they received from BoxLock. “Vulnerability disclosure can be a challenging issue for any company to deal with, but BoxLock was incredibly responsive, easy to work with and immediately recognized the value that McAfee ATR had provided.” The second vulnerability revealed at MWC was within the Mr. Coffee coffee makers, which reportedly gave hackers a backdoor to access home networks. Researchers said that in the coffee makers with WeMo, they were able to make changes to the brewing schedule. The researchers were even able to write their own commands through a hole in the firmware, which was reportedly the result of coding issues. “I had the ability to upload any template of my choice and have it pass all the WeMo’s verification steps necessary to be used by a scheduled rule. I appended a new template called 'hack' and added a block of code within the template to download and execute a shell script,” wrote Quinn. “Now, I sat back and waited as the coffee maker (at my specified time delay) connected to my computer, downloaded my shell script and ran it. I verified that I had a reverse shell and that it ran as intended, perfectly. This vulnerability does require network access to the same network the coffee maker is on. Depending on the complexity of the user’s password, WiFi cracking can be a relatively simple task to accomplish with today’s computing power.” Both vulnerabilities demonstrate that not all exploits are overly complicated or require an exceptional amount of effort to pull off. As a result, vendors and researchers need to be able to work together to mitigate the risks to consumers.

Spotlight

Other News
AI Tech

AI and Big Data Expo North America announces leading Speaker Lineup

TechEx Events | March 07, 2024

AI and Big Data Expo North America announces new speakers! SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES, February 26, 2024 /EINPresswire.com/ -- TheAI and Big Expo North America, the leading event for Enterprise AI, Machine Learning, Security, Ethical AI, Deep Learning, Data Ecosystems, and NLP, has announced a fresh cohort of distinguishedspeakersfor its upcoming conference at the Santa Clara Convention Center on June 5-6, 2024. Some of the top industry speakers set to take the stage are: - Sam Hamilton - Head of Data & AI – Visa - Dr Astha Purohit - Director - Product (Tech) Ops – Walmart - Noorddin Taj - Head of Architecture and Design of Intelligent Operations - BP - Temi Odesanya - Director - AI Governance Automation - Thomson Reuters - Katie Sanders - Assistant Vice President – Tech - Union Pacific Railroad - Prasanth Nandanuru – SVP - Wells Fargo - Rodney Brooks - Professor Emeritus - MIT These esteemed speakers bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to an already impressive lineup, promising attendees a truly enlightening experience. In addition to the speakers, theAI and Big Data Expo North Americawill feature a series of presentations covering a diverse range of topics in AI and Big Data exploring the latest innovations, implementations and strategies across a range of industries. Attendees can expect to gain valuable insights and practical strategies from presentations such as: How Gen AI Positively Augments Workforce Capabilities Trends in Computer Vision: Applications, Datasets, and Models Getting to Production-Ready: Challenges and Best Practices for Deploying AI Ensuring Your AI is Responsible and Ethical Mitigating Bias and Promoting Fairness in AI Systems Security Challenges in the Era of Gen AI and Data Science AI for Good: Social Impact and Ethics Selling Data Democratization to Executives Spreading Data Insights across the Business Barriers to Overcome: People, Processes, and Technology Optimizing the Customer Experience with AI Using AI to Drive Growth in a Regulated Industry Building an MLOps Foundation for AI at Scale The Expo offers a platform for exploration and discovery, showcasing how cutting-edge technologies are reshaping a myriad of industries, including manufacturing, transport, supply chain, government, legal sectors, financial services, energy, utilities, insurance, healthcare, retail, and more. Attendees will have the chance to witness firsthand the transformative power of AI and Big Data across various sectors, gaining insights that are crucial for staying ahead in today's rapidly evolving technological landscape. Anticipating a turnout of over 7000 attendees and featuring 200 speakers across various tracks, AI and Big Data Expo North America offers a unique opportunity for CTO’s, CDO’s, CIO’s , Heads of IOT, AI /ML, IT Directors and tech enthusiasts to stay abreast of the latest trends and innovations in AI, Big Data and related technologies. Organized by TechEx Events, the conference will also feature six co-located events, including the IoT Tech Expo, Intelligent Automation Conference, Cyber Security & Cloud Congress, Digital Transformation Week, and Edge Computing Expo, ensuring a comprehensive exploration of the technological landscape. Attendees can choose from various ticket options, providing access to engaging sessions, the bustling expo floor, premium tracks featuring industry leaders, a VIP networking party, and a sophisticated networking app facilitating connections ahead of the event. Secure your ticket with a 25% discount on tickets, available until March 31st, 2024. Save up to $300 on your ticket and be part of the conversation shaping the future of AI and Big Data technologies. For more information and to secure your place at AI and Big Data Expo North America, please visit https://www.ai-expo.net/northamerica/. About AI and Big Data Expo North America: The AI and Big Data Expo North America is a leading event in the AI and Big Data landscape, serving as a nexus for professionals, industry experts, and enthusiasts to explore and navigate the ever-evolving technological frontier. Through its focus on education, networking, and collaboration, the Expo continues to be a beacon for those eager to stay at the forefront of technological innovation. “AI and Big Data Expo North Americais a part ofTechEx. For more information regardingTechExplease see onlinehere.”

Read More