Well-known security researcher Samy Kamkar has discovered a simple method for cracking the popular Master Lock padlock in eight or fewer tries, meaning that most gym lockers can be popped in less than two minutes.
The exploit involves lifting up a locked shackle with one hand while turning the combination dial counterclockwise starting at the number 0 with the other. Before the dial reaches 11, there will be three points where the dial will resist being turned anymore. One of them will be ignored as it is exactly between two whole numbers on the dial. The remaining two locations represent locked positions. Next, an attacker again lifts the locked shackle, this time with less force, while turning the dial clockwise. At some point before a full revolution is completed, the dial will resist being turned. (An attacker can still turn through it but will physically feel the resistance.) This location represents the resistance location. The two locked positions and the one resistance position are then recorded on a Web page that streamlines the exploit.
How to crack many Master Lock combinations in eight tries or less [Dan Goodin/Ars Technica]
