Backdoor in US emergency alert systems

The US-CERT, which is part of the US Department of Homeland Security, warns that security-critical vulnerabilities in US emergency alert systems potentially allow attackers to switch off the systems or misuse them to broadcast arbitrary emergency alerts. The Linux systems are used at TV and radio stations in the US and enable the US government to interrupt ongoing broadcasts when there is an emergency. This is designed to allow the US president to address the nation within ten minutes.

Front/Back view of the DASDEC

Backdoor in US emergency alert systems | The H Security

Did brainless flaw in US Emergency Alert System lead to epic zombie attack warning?

Zombie emergency

Earlier this year, the Emergency Alert System interrupted regular programming to warn the US citizens of Montana that the zombie apocalypse was upon us.

A loud buzzer went off, and a banner ran across the top of the screen, as an announcer at local TV station KRTV said it would be best not to approach the living dead:

"Civil authorities in your area have reported that the bodies of the dead are rising from their graves and attacking the living."Follow the messages on-screen that will be updated as information becomes available. Do not attempt to approach or apprehend these bodies, as they are extremely dangerous."

This was not true. This was a hack.

Epic zombie attack warning | The Naked Security