Security researchers have found a way to crack the Blu-Ray encryption while the video content is transiting via an HDMI cable between the player and the television. Normally, the content is encrypted during this trip to prevent piracy using a “middle-man” attack where an attacker intercepts the data from the source, and relays it to the destination. If everything goes well, neither the source or recipient will detect the eavesdropping.
In this case, the eavesdropping was successful and the researchers have even managed to crack HDCP on the fly. They have done so by using a programmable chip and a home-made motherboard with two HDMI ports (photo above). Obviously nothing is unbreakable, but the research team wanted to see what it would take to get the job done. The answer: $267 and a lot of brain power. [link: idw-online.de (in German)]