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Exploit Found to Brick Most HP and Compaq Laptops

Posted by Soulskill on from the cool-looking-paperweight dept.

Ian Lamont writes "A security researcher calling himself porkythepig has published attack code that can supposedly brick most HP and Compaq laptops. The exploit uses an ActiveX control in HP's Software Update. It would 'let an attacker corrupt Windows' kernel files, making the laptop unbootable, or with a little more effort, allow hacks that would result in a PC hijack or malware infection.' The same researcher last week outlined a batch of additional vulnerabilities in HP and Compaq laptops, for which HP later issued patches."

12 of 294 comments (clear)

  1. According to my sources... by Spy+der+Mann · · Score: 5, Funny

    there's a patch available, but it involves penguins ;-)

    1. Re:According to my sources... by alx5000 · · Score: 5, Funny

      Linux. The OS even bricks can run.

      --
      My 0.02 cents
  2. Re:!BRICK FFS by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Corrupting a Windows install does NOT BRICK A GOD DAMNED LAPTOP.

    If it did, then Windows would be considered self-bricking.

  3. Bricked? by T-Bone-T · · Score: 5, Funny

    Did anybody mention that they used "bricked" incorrectly?

  4. porkythepig by RockMFR · · Score: 4, Funny

    It will l-l-l-let an attacker corrupt W-w-w-windows! T-t-t-that's all folks!

  5. Re:Two points about the article's headline. by smittyoneeach · · Score: 4, Funny

    All in all, it was just a brick in the wall.

    --
    Get thee glass eyes, and, like a scurvy politician, seem to see things thou dost not.--King Lear
  6. Re:!BRICK FFS by JK_the_Slacker · · Score: 5, Funny

    I beg to differ. I've seen bricks used as paperweights, doorstops, melee weapons, missiles, jackstands, stepping stools, water-saving devices, exercise equipment, depth probes, counterweights, tourist attractions, ballast, keyless entry devices, cookware, heating elements, hammers...

    I will not have you slandering the name of the noble and versatile brick!

    --
    I'm waiting for a "-1 somepeoplejustshouldn'tgetmodprivileges" meta-moderation.
  7. Re:Two points about the article's headline. by caluml · · Score: 4, Funny

    fe1 ~ # echo Brick! | wall

    Broadcast message from root (Fri Dec 21 02:16:49 2007):

    Brick!
    fe1 ~ #
    Wonder what any users on there will think?
    --
    Get your own free personal location tracker
  8. Waitaminute... by cliffiecee · · Score: 4, Funny

    Why...

    YES, it is 'bricked.' Totally and utterly useless, yes. You'll need to buy a brand new one. Seeing as I'm a nice guy, I'll buy this completely bricked, utterly useless laptop from you. Just for the case and spare parts, you see. Does $100 sound reasonable for a bricked, totally useless laptop that you can never use again? Hmmm?

  9. Re:Two points about the article's headline. by smittyoneeach · · Score: 5, Funny

    users on there will think
    Optimist.
    --
    Get thee glass eyes, and, like a scurvy politician, seem to see things thou dost not.--King Lear
  10. Re:Two points about the article's headline. by ConceptJunkie · · Score: 5, Funny

    Slashdot has editors?!

    --
    You are in a maze of twisty little passages, all alike.
  11. Re:Two points about the article's headline. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny
    We don't need no exploitation,
    Block all Active-X controls,
    No Javashitting in my browser,
    Lame-ass spammers, lick my hole,

    HEY! CRACKERS!, face the fire-wall!
    > All in all, it was just a brick in the wall. (Guitar solo singing Fixed-it-for-you)
    All in all, a pack-et, blocked by my fire-wall.