[AccessD] 2010 Bug hits Germany

Amazing...just amazing.

Max (aka Tonto)



On 06/01/2010, Gustav Brock <Gustav at cactus.dk> wrote:
> Hi Max
>
> It happens when one system using decimal numbers (10) sends data to another
> expecting hexadecimal values (0A for ten). Thus 10 dec -> 10 hex = sixteen.
>
> This is a bug in some Siemens automation equipment reading data from card
> readers. These units are designed to be driven by solar power as, for
> example, seen in parking ticket machines many places in Europe. The firmware
> programmers for some reason believed that, first, skipping 2000 and go with
> two digits only (00-99) and, second, using hexadecimal numbers to save two
> bytes would help keep power consumption at a minimum.
> This is hard to believe but nevertheless the official explanation from
> Siemens in Denmark. The spokesman admitted that the issue has revealed that
> testing of the equipment has been inadequate. The firmware has been updated
> and the issue resolved in a few days.
>
> /gustav
>
>
>>>> max.wanadoo at gmail.com 05-01-2010 21:33 >>>
> http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34706092/ns/technology_and_science-security/
>
> Why would this happen?
>
> Max
>
>
>
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