http://www.electronicnews.com/news/1229-246NewsDetail.asp
Hackers compromise software used to protect EDA tools
Sep 03, 1999 --- A group of hackers have compromised Globetrotter Software
Inc.'s Flex-LM, a software package used by electronic design automation
(EDA) tools providers to protect software tools licensed to end-users. EDA
industry veteran John Cooley, who was informed of the hack by a colleague,
reported the incident this afternoon in ESNUG, his EDA industry
newsletter.
Only limited details related to the nature of the hack were posted due to
its pervasive nature. Virtually all of the EDA vendors license their
software using Globetrotter's Flex-LM. The software breach has been posted
to an undisclosed Web site that offers free downloads. Another Web site
provides tutorials for using the cracked code. With some tools costing
$44,000 plus per seat, the "free" key carries a heavy toll.
The 6 Meg download allows its users to generate keys that open any
Windows-NT based EDA software package to end-users. Essentially, the
software renders any existing or protected evaluation copy into a "free"
copy by allowing the user to key into the software indefinitely. The
networking of NT and UNIX systems probably means this crack could enable
the "free" use of UNIX based EDA tools, Cooley said.
Cooley did not disclose the site, offering instead to inform authentic EDA
company representatives of its whereabouts. Since posting the news this
afternoon, the EDA veteran said he has received more that 48 emails from
EDA vendors either confirming the hack or requesting more information
about the break in Flex-LM.
Globetrotter representatives could not be reached for comment by press
time.
ISN is sponsored by Security-Focus.COM
Received on Sun Sep 5 11:27:43 1999