abstract:XCP or "Universal Measurement and Calibration Protocol" is a network protocol originating from ASAM for connecting calibration systems to electronic control units, ECUs. It enables read and write access to variables and memory contents of microcontroller systems at runtime.
Sony has been in hot water ever since computer programmer Mark Russinovich first found the contentious XCP software on his computer, prompting damaging publicity, suspension of the software, and recalls.
When word leaked out about a week ago that Sony was using a copy-protection program to keep people from copying their music CDs, music lovers cried foul and security experts warned the XCP copy protection system could be hijacked by so-called Trojan horse programs.