AutoCAD worm steals blueprints in industrial theft
Researchers have uncovered another worm capable of industrial espionage, this time stealing "tens of thousands" of blueprints and product designs from computers in Peru.
Medrea is an information-stealing worm capable of ferreting out AutoCAD drawings on infected machines, and transferring the files by email to accounts based in China, ESET researchers said Thursday. The worm, dubbed ACAD/Medre.A, was discovered in February, but recently increased in activity, Righard Zwienenberg, a senior research fellow at the security firm, said in a blog post.
AutoCAD is popular among engineers and architects. The software is used to create computerized drawings for architectural designs, product schematics and floor plans of plants and factories. Theft of AutoCAD has a serious impact on businesses because the intruders gain access to sensitive intellectual property even before the designs go into production, Zwienenberg said. Thieves could even apply for a patent before the actual owner.
