I can finally reveal some research I've been involved with over the past year or so.

We (@redford, @mrtick and I) have reverse engineered the PLC code of NEWAG Impuls EMUs. These trains were locking up for arbitrary reasons after being serviced at third-party workshops. The manufacturer argued that this was because of malpractice by these workshops, and that they should be serviced by them instead of third parti
es.

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We found that the PLC code actually contained logic that would lock up the train with bogus error codes after some date, or if the train wasn't running for a given time. One version of the controller actually contained GPS coordinates to contain the behaviour to third party workshops.

It was also possible to unlock the trains by pressing a key combination in the cabin controls. None of this was documented.

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@q3k Does any regulator know of this #Sabotage of #CriticalInfrastructure by the #Manufacturer?

I'm shure these trains ain't exclusive to to one country and regulators from @BNetzA and @kartellamt@social.bund.de to @EU_Commission will likely be very interested in such deliberate acts of #AntiCompetiton, #AntiRepair and basically attacks on #PublicTransport #infrastructure done by #NEWAG to fleece customers!

I mean, this is next-level assholeism and makes #JohnDeere and #Apple look like #RightToRepair fans.

@kkarhan @q3k @BNetzA @EU_Commission

see the update at the end of the writeup @ zaufanatrzeciastrona.pl/post/o (the "Aktualizacja 2023-12-05 16:00" section, it's in Polish). Basically the "UTK" (transport ministry) appear to have said it's aware of it but it's a civil matter between the train operator and the manufacturer.

@smcl @q3k @BNetzA @EU_Commission

That's kinda sad and IMHO a big failure of said regulator.

Imagine if car manufacturers were to leverage the same tech to prevent "unauthorized" / 3rd party repair...

I'm pretty shure once politicians have their car refuse to start after a tire change at home they'll instantly start acting...

@jlcrawf @kkarhan @smcl @q3k @BNetzA @EU_Commission Politicians having their tires changed at home, because they can't be bothered to bring their car to a garage and wait.

@goedelchen @jlcrawf @smcl @q3k @BNetzA @EU_Commission or because they are too paranoid or because like with all goverments that can afford it, they have a pool of cars and drivers and those - like any decent-sized taxi service - have their own depots and mechanics onsite as well as spare parts because downtime costs money.

Imagine if #cabs or #ambulances and #FireTrucks were to get the #AntiRepair #malware treatment...

#WhatYouAllowIsWhatWillContinue

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