Turning the Belkin WeMo Into a Deathtrap 146
Okian Warrior writes "As a followup to yesterday's article detailing 50 Million Potentially Vulnerable To UPnP Flaws, this video shows getting root access on a Belkin WeMo remote controlled wifi outlet. As the discussion notes, remotely turning someone's lamp on or off is not a big deal, but controlling a [dry] coffeepot or space heater might be dangerous. The attached discussion also points out that rapidly cycling something with a large inrush current (such as a motor) could damage the unit and possibly cause a fire." In the style of Bruce Schneier's movie-plot threat scenarios, what's the most nefarious use you can anticipate such remote outlet control being used for?
Re:space heater have temp and tip over switches (Score:3, Informative)
Modern heaters can only draw 12 amps maximum. It's an electrical code/UL requirement that plug and cord connected appliance only be capable of drawing 80% continuous load of the ampere rating the plug is capable of handling. The standard american electrical outlet is only rated at 15 amps, even if it's on a 20 amp circuit. Although 20 amp electrical outlets do exist, I have never seen an an appliance sold to ordinary consumers with a 120v 20 amp plug. If one were to exist, the maximum continuous amp draw would be limited to 16 amps.