A renowned security researcher has discovered that the micro-controller that monitors the power level of an Apple laptop can be compromised to allow a hacker to run code on it, potentially even cause the battery to explode.
Security expert Charlie Miller, notorious for his hacking feats against Apple systems, reportedly examined the batteries in several MacBooks, MacBook Pros and MacBook Airs, and found an alarming vulnerability.
The researcher has found that the batteries’ micro-controller chips ship with default passwords. Once a hacker learns that password, they can learn to control the chips’ firmware and potentially hijack them.
Bad scenarios proposed by Miller include permanently ruining they battery, implanting it with hidden malware that infects the computer regardless of what is contained on the hard drive, and even potentially cause the battery to heat up, or catch fire.
