A hacker hacks the satellite communication system and warns 'radio frequency attack is possible'

by Gerard Eviston

Satellite antennas are used for marine vessels, airplanes, military aircraft etc. to connect to the Internet via satellite communication. By hacking a system that controls antennas for such satellite communications, hackers warn that "high-intensity radio frequency attacks are possible".

Hacked satellite systems could launch microwave-like attacks, expert warns | Technology | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/news-blog/2018/aug/09/satellite-system-hacking-attacks-ships-planes-military

At the Black Hat Information Congress held in Las Vegas in August 2018, security experts, hackers, business people from around the world attended the lecture and introduced products on security. According to a survey released there, since many satellite communication systems are vulnerable to hacking, it seems that they can hack information leaks and devices connected to the system.

Ruben Santa Marta , a researcher at cyber security company ' IOActive ', also published a research outcome in 2014 that "many satellite communication systems are theoretically hackable". However, at the 2018 meeting, "The risk of the satellite communication system that I announced four years ago is not only theoretical", he says, in the satellite communication system used for military bases and naval vessels There is a risk of safety.

In order to use a satellite antenna in an aircraft or a ship, it is necessary to control the satellite communication system from the ground via the Internet. Also, in order to use the satellite antenna at the military base on the ground, a system that controls angle and direction by software is used. Hackers can exploit vulnerabilities in their systems and software, intercept information exchanged via antennas, and put more hacking attacks on connected devices.

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In addition, military bases may become important military secrets even their location information, but it seems that they can acquire location information by GPS by taking over the satellite communication system used there. "There is a safety risk that the location of a military base that is neither an aircraft nor a ship but a publicly opened base is located," Santa Marta says.

Furthermore, hackers can also "cyber physical attacks" using satellite antennas, Santa Marta pointed out. We also argue that "high intensity radio frequency (HIRF) attack" becomes possible by moving the position of the antenna as it is thought and setting the radio frequency output transmitted from the antenna to high output, and also " Can be used as a weapon of radio frequency attack operating on almost the same principle as a microwave oven. " HIRF attacks may not be able to impair physical damage to humans, but they are said to be able to physically damage the target electrical system.

Mr. Santa Marta says, "Since the airplane is designed to shield strong HIRF attacks, the risk is low against attacks by satellite antennas," the target of HIRF attacks will be ground bases and vessels I am trying to do. IOActive has already worked with the airline industry to avoid exposing information on vehicles and passengers to the Internet of the satellite communication system. Meanwhile, the ship and the military industry say that the risk of hacking to the satellite communication system remains high.

by Mary Madigan