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Suit Stops Hackers From Showing Subway Flaw

MIT students see bug in electronic fare cards; judge says zip it

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 10, 2008 7:28 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Boston’s mass transit system has blocked three MIT students from revealing a flaw in its electronic fare system, the Boston Globe reports. Most Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority customers use the CharlieCard, which allows them to store fares. By cracking it, the students vowed to give attendees at a Las Vegas computer conference “free subway rides for life."

The injunction, granted by a Boston court, is part of a lawsuit aimed at MIT. A computer security expert filed a court statement for MIT defending the students, saying that “prohibition of open discussion of security vulnerabilities greatly harms the ability of researchers to function and has a chilling effect.”

The DefCon conference, where the three MIT students would have revealed the flaw in th MBTA's system.
The DefCon conference, where the three MIT students would have revealed the flaw in th MBTA's system.   (AP Photo)
A hacking competition at the DefCon conference in Las Vegas.
A hacking competition at the DefCon conference in Las Vegas.   (AP Photo)
A hacker demonstrates flaws in card access control systems during an interview with reporters at the Defcon convention last year.
A hacker demonstrates flaws in card access control systems during an interview with reporters at the Defcon convention last year.   (AP Photo)
An ice-covered train pulling into South Station in Boston.
An ice-covered train pulling into South Station in Boston.   (Magnum Photos)
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But counting cards, gambling OK for MIT students
Associated Press

More on the flaw from MIT's newspaper
Tech

First amendment rights violated, techies say
Ars Technica

 
technology • subway • Boston • MIT • hacker • Massachusetts • court • DefCon

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