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F-Secure skeptical of Sony's rootkit ways
While not as severe as it was last time, a newer product from Sony is using very similar tactics to hide software and files onto a machine, in such a fashion where it could pose a security risk. As F-Secure reports, it may be possible for some A/V suites to ignore certain files, which is where much of the risk comes from:
Files in this directory are also hidden from some antivirus scanners (as with the Sony BMG DRM case) — depending on the techniques employed by the antivirus software. It is therefore technically possible for malware to use the hidden directory as a hiding place.
They do leave room for a plausible reason – such as certain critical data needing to be protected. That aside, F-Secure takes exception with the tactics Sony has employed. Sony has not yet responded to F-Secure's requests for an explanation. There isn't any mention of this tactic causing any harm to a system - and unlike last time, it doesn't seem to make it easy to accidentally cripple a system. There's merely the "potential" for risk.
User Comments: 5
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For the love of............who CARES!?!?! I run Napster, Steam, Xfire, and several other programs that are probably a greater security risk than this crap. I giggled when all the dorks said they wouldn't install BioShock because SecureRom had a root kit.LOL*deep breathe*LOL
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I care.I'm not at all interested in installing software that can compromise my PC. Currently I can't be bothered to try software created by organizations that are lax or negligent on software security, including Symantec and Apple. I'd ditch Microsoft in a heartbeat if they didn't have a strangle hold on the gaming market.
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But this can still be a huge security risk. Malware writers can simply write their viruses or whatever in locations hidden by the rootkit, making them virtually undetectable by traditional virus-seeking methods.You'd think Sony would get the hint one of these times...
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You like others are making mountains out of mole hills. Any piece of software can be comprimised, so why run around with your arms in the air bumping into walls.
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Check out [url=http://www.f-secure.com/weblog/archives/archive-082007.
tml#00001264]this more recent post[/url] on F-Secure's blog.This rootkit isn't as nasty as the Sony XCP DRM rootkit was, but it could still be maliciously exploited.
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