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posted by takyon on Monday October 19 2015, @01:00PM   Printer-friendly
from the team-non-target dept.

The BBC reports that several Target stores in the US have had their public address systems hacked, resulting in explicit pornographic audio being broadcast across the stores, in some cases for more than 15 minutes at a time.

An email obtained by the BBC, sent by company bosses to Target store managers across the US on Friday afternoon, outlines a weakness in the store's PA system being used to carry out the prank.I've removed a key detail for obvious reasons.

"Non-Target team members are attempting to access the intercom system by calling stores and requesting to be connected to line [xxxx]," it reads. "If connected, callers have control of the intercom until they hang up. We are actively working to limit intercom access to the Guest Services phone only. In the meantime, inform all operators to not connect any calls to line [xxxx]."

So in other words, if you ring up Target and ask to be put through to a certain extension, you're suddenly live on the PA system for as long as you like. Hardly the hack of the century, granted, but a reminder that there are people out there that will find even the most obscure vulnerabilities and exploit them.

I don't condone breaching computer systems but I guess that's one way to draw attention to vulnerabilities. Too bad they didn't pick something more kid-friendly. Like broadcasting that for the next 60 minutes there would be an 80% discount on everything in the store.


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  • (Score: 2) by Hyperturtle on Monday October 19 2015, @11:35PM

    by Hyperturtle (2824) on Monday October 19 2015, @11:35PM (#252106)

    YES! The roller system provided that suspense and anticipation that we can't really get without staring out a window knowing the delivery guy will arrive soon... But being in the store was more palpable, because unless you wandered around looking at more stuff to buy, all you could do was wait and watch the rollers for something that might be yours to roll into view.

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