28 ms·

Patching is just a subsidy for the manufacturer. This malware just soft-bricks (the device can be restored by reinstalling the firmware), so it inflicts a cost

Patching is just a subsidy for the manufacturer. This malware just soft-bricks (the device can be restored by reinstalling the firmware), so it inflicts a cost without generating extra garbage. Sounds great to me.

mcv 7y ago
With the risk that the owner just throws it out and buys a new one. Possibly even from the same manufacturer.
- zwily 7y ago
  From that perspective, would the vendors even be motivated to fix it? Hmmm...
  - deadbunny 7y ago
    When the 2nd device bricks within a week then yeah, the online shitstorm would engulf them.
philpem 7y ago
Looking at the MTD commands it runs (assuming the ones in the article weren't faked) -- on some hardware it'll clobber the bootloader. You'd need a JTAG cable and a fresh firmware image to fix that. Hardly something within the reach of a typical home user.
jordan801 7y ago
How many people are going to be capable of reinstalling the firmware? I can tell you 99% of the people I know are just going to junk it.