iTunes 4.5 authentication scheme cracked

Following the release of iTunes 4.5 yesterday and reports that Apple had closed a file-sharing loophole with the latest release, another user has developed new iTunes hacking tools for using iTunes songs within other applications (for sharing, playback, etc.) and allowing other applications to work with iTunes. The tools include a library for connecting to iTunes shares and streaming audio files and an application for browsing and playing the songs in various iTunes shares. Two pages describe the iTunes 4.5 authentication procedure used to lock out third-party applications and the iTunes Music Store authentication, including the authentication packets used by the iTMS.

In the previous version of iTunes, programs such as getTunes and Leechster to share and/or download songs from fellow iTunes users. The new version iTunes 4.5 changes the authentication algorithm; however, with the new tools, developers will be able to create applications that, once again, work with iTunes.




Apple's FairPlay DRM still locked



Though users may have found a way to hack into iTunes and allow other programs to work with the application, the updated copy-protection (DRM) found in iTunes 4.5 still remains untouched: several readers note that iTunes 4.5 does prevent users from "cracking" iTunes (protected) tracks with PlayFair or FairTunes; however, users can still playback songs that were previously stripped of their DRM-components (anti-copy protection).

Filed under: audio