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You might remember the Sony BMG Rootkit fiasco<\/a> back in 2006 when the whole Internet was up in arms about Sony installing a rootkit in the name of Digital Another piece of malware has been uncovered that has been linked to Sony and their Fingerprint reader.<\/p>\n Researchers have unearthed rootkit-like functionality in an enterprise security product.<\/p>\n Network security software from a Chinese developer includes processes deliberately hidden from a user and, even worse, a hidden directory, Trend Micro reports. Files in the hidden directory could exist below the radar of antivirus scanners, potentially creating a stealthy hiding place for computer viruses that their creators might seek to exploit.<\/p>\n Trend Micro has written to the software developers involved in what looks like a case of misguided software design, rather than anything worse. Pending a fix from software developers, Trend Micro has slapped a “hacking tool” warning on the rootkit-like component of the network security tool (called HKTL-BRUDEVIC<\/a>).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n The irony is it’s actually supposed to be some kind of enterprise security product the rootkit was found in, nothing was mentioned specifically as to which product or company however.<\/p>\n As stated above, it’s most likely misguided and uneducated software design rather than any kind of malicious intent.<\/p>\n It doesn’t name the developers except to say they are the same firm which bundles rootkit-like software with USB storage devices featuring fingerprint authentication.<\/p>\n Sony got a further black eye from issues with its MicroVault USM-F fingerprint reader software last year, which emerged a little over two years after its thorough mauling for including rootkit functionality on its music CDs. The feature, designed to stop fans ripping music tracks, created a security hole exploited by a number of Trojans.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n It’s been directly linked to the Sony Microvault fingerprint reader, it’ll be interesting to see if this story develops any further.<\/p>\n Sony could really do without any further bad press on this.<\/p>\n <\/p>\nRestriction<\/del> Rights Management.<\/p>\n