Rights Amplification in Master-Keyed Mechanical Locks

"This paper describes new attacks for amplifying rights in mechanical pin tumbler locks. Given access to a single master-keyed lock and its associated change key, a procedure is given that allow discovery and creation of a working master key for the system. No special skill or equipment, beyond a small number of blank keys and a metal file, is required, and the attacker need engage in no suspicious behavior at the lock’s location." Read the New York Times story on the study. View file [3.9mb]