Vista DRM Cracked Already?

Windows IT PRo Magazine ^ | 1/31/07 | Mark Joseph Edwards

[Space Wrangler]

A Romanian-born programmer claims to have developed code that can bypass the Digital Rights Management (DRM) technology in Windows Vista. Writing in his blog, Alex Ionescu said that for over a year, he's been working on a method of getting around Vista's signed driver requirements and that he's recently succeeded.

As you might know, Vista requires that all drivers be digitally signed so that they can be properly authenticated to the OS. The 64-bit version of Vista requires what Microsoft calls Kernel Mode Code Signing (KMCS) in order to load kernel-mode drivers.

Vista also includes a technology called Protect Media Path (PMP), which essentially is a way to enable secure playback of "next-generation premium content," such as high-definition DVDs. The idea behind PMP is to prohibit access to unencrypted premium content to prevent the user from making copies that aren't approved by the content publisher. In order to facilitate trusted interoperability with premium content, any components placed into the PMP must be digitally signed for use with PMP.

Ionescu said that his code does not load any unsigned drivers and that he uses a special boot flag when starting Vista. He intends to release sample code that partially demonstrates his discoveries, but he won't release code that bypasses Vista DRM out of fear of being prosecuted under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).

"Later this week I will release some safe, generic, proof of concept code that targets what I believe is a flaw in the Code Integrity/Driver Signing model.... Because this code will require an initial reboot [of the operating system] Microsoft does not consider it to be a flaw from a security standpoint. And because [the code I intend to release is] so generic, it has absolutely nothing to do with DRM or PMP. That being said, I'm sure someone with knowledge of the PMP implementation might be able to use this as a very smart building block of the entire code that would be required [to bypass PMP and DRM]," Ionescu wrote.

[Space Wrangler]

Mildly interesting. DRM is going to wind up being a mess, and anyone that finds ways around it will have the proverbial better mousetrap.

[mylife]

Whats a copy of Vista cost? $450?
So nice of bill to sell us something that allows us to do less

[Publius6961]

I would rather have the option to forego "premium content" altogether, and own the software that I buy for useful work.

[I_Love_My_Husband]

I think I'll skip on Vista.

[Petronski]

Vista also includes a technology called Protect Media Path (PMP)...

Time to un-pimp ze Vista

Two snaps!

[AnotherUnixGeek]

The content protection measures in Vista are enough for me to say no. Vista looks like crippleware itself and the scale of it's adoption could force hardware changes that benefit no one except the Hollywood and recording industry pressure groups who for seem reason are now in a position to give thumbs-up or thumbs-down to hardware and software innovation.

A Cost Analysis of Windows Vista Content Protection.

[kalee]

ping

[Space Wrangler]

I'm seeing OEM builds of the higher end versions for around $200. As an action pack subscriber, I don't pay a whole lot of attention to retail or even wholesale prices. I have every version of it available to me, but loaded the Ultimate version on a 40 GB partition to play with.

Overall, I'm not overly impressed. It's just okay...nothing to go crazy over. However Knoppix running with a Beryl desktop will have you doing backflips.

[TheBattman]

ping

[mylife]

I looked it up its about 200-250 for upgrade 400-450 for the full version.

Bill can kiss my rear.

[Space Wrangler]

I think I saw it most aptly described by someone that said Microsoft fell for the 'Blazing Saddles hostage trick' where the MPAA and RIAA threatened to hold themselves hostage and MS relented. LOL!

[Space Wrangler]

You can find full version OEM's for between $90-$250 depending on version. Never buy MS software at retail.

[mylife]

Thanks for the tip on knoppix/beryl I was leaning toward linux

[redhead]

I love those commercials! thanks, P.

[Space Wrangler]

I use Knoppix daily, and Beryl really livens it up. I was really pumped that somebody ported Beryl over to Knoppix. As for just drooling eye candy, take a look at a Beryl enabled Sabayon box. It'll knock your socks off.

[mylife]

Can you run windows based progs on it like Xanderos?

[JerseyHighlander]

I've seen copies of Vista Ultimate (idk if there is more than one version of ultimate, and didn't know to ask when i saw it) selling for as little as US$50 with purchase of a CPU, as a combo deal. From a well respected online store.

So, I think the "smuggling" of CPU's into the UK will continue to be a very nice business for Chunnel and Ryanair travellers, and now OEM Vista DVDs will be included in the smuggling traffic.

[mylife]

Thanks for the info but I think I'll pass on vista

[mylife]

cool cubed desktop!

[meyer]

I'm content with XP Pro. Why change?