RIAA: "Claim a hoax"
Source: RT NEWS
Claims that the music industry hired a group of hackers to create a worm to infect peer-to-peer networks are being dismissed by security experts.
In an advisory posted to security mailing lists, a group called Gobbles Security delivered its latest vulnerability — a real one found in a relatively unknown MP3 player — wrapped in an apparent joke aimed at the Recording Industry Association of America. The main part of the advisory consisted of Gobbles' claims that its programmers had created a "hydra" — a worm capable of spreading in a variety of ways — that infects all major music software.
The RIAA, the organization that represents major music publishers, wasn't amused. "It's a complete hoax," said an RIAA spokesman, who asked that his name not be used. "It's not true."
Security experts agreed. Steve Manzuik, moderator of vulnerability information site VulnWatch, received the advisory on Sunday. But because of the apparent joke, he held the document until the vulnerability was verified a day later.
"This is typical Gobbles, is it not?" Mr. Manzuik said. "Cause a stir, but also release useful information."
The true vulnerability is not found in the major music players — Windows Media Player, WinAMP and Xmms are among the players Gobbles names — but in the MPG123 music player, a relatively unknown piece of open-source software.
