On The Metal Rick Altherr
Jan 13, 2020
Rick Altherr, a cybersecurity enthusiast, discusses USBAnywhere vulnerability, BMC security risks, and nostalgia for Cray supercomputers. He explores challenges in BMCs, Redfish development, firmware complexities, and power-off bug solutions. The critical role of firmware in preventing hardware failures and the evolution of the Open Compute Project are also highlighted.
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Cray Love
- Rick Altherr's favorite computer is the Cray supercomputer, appreciating its aesthetic and intricate design.
- He even sat on one at the Deutsches Museum in Munich.
AlphaStation Adventures
- Rick Altherr's most cherished owned computer was a Digital AlphaStation, running Tru64 UNIX.
- Acquiring the correct RAM for it took six months.
BMC Vulnerabilities
- Exposing BMCs to the internet is dangerous due to their outdated design and weak security models.
- Rick Altherr emphasizes the difficulty of guaranteeing complete removal of exploits, sometimes necessitating hardware destruction.