May 17th, 2007
AACS broken - before it's patched!
AACS, the copy-protection scheme used on HD DVD discs has been broken again. But what’s different this time is that it’s been broken six days before the new, updated version is released.
It’s SlySoft, the makers of AnyDVD, which are behind this new crack. The latest beta version of AnyDVD HD, version 6.1.5.1 (beta) makes short work of the latest AACS MKB v3 update.
Technical note: AACS MKB v3 means that this is an update to the Media Key Block. This updates renders the processing key (you know, the one that’s all over the Internet - what do you mean you’ve not heard about it!) useless.
Loading ...The word is that this has been tested on an early-shipped release of The Matrix Trilogy HD DVD and it’s likely to work on all future discs until the AACS Licensing Authority decides to go head to head with the hackers for another pointless round.
I’d really like to know how the guys at SlySoft pulled this off, but I’m pretty sure they’re not going to tell me how, for obvious reasons.
It’s important to note that AnyDVD HD is a commercial product, so that means that the hacking community over of the Doom9 forum have been beaten this time, but I’m pretty sure that the this MKB and the processing key will be uncovered by them soon. All this also makes the key revocation scheme, central to AACS, seen weak.
It’s now clear that DRM isn’t designed to protect content from unauthorized duplications. Instead, DRM is designed to prevent the non-technical masses from copying media. Anyone who wants to find out how to copy an HD DVD or Blu-ray disc only needs access to Google and the right keywords.
Thoughts?
Adrian is a technology journalist and author who has devoted over a decade to helping users get the most from technology. He also runs a popular blog called The PC Doctor. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations
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