Trend Micro researchers have developed methods of reverse engineering the radio frequencies used by remote-controller devices that move cranes at construction sites and factories, in order to facilitate RF hacking on an industrial scale.

These RF signals can be intercepted with software-defined radios and used to steal sensitive data or inject malware during firmware updates. Nation-states often employ this strategy; however, more mundane hackers may also benefit from taking advantage of vulnerabilities like this one.

Funtenna

Funtenna is software malware developed by white hat hacker Ang Cui of Red Balloon Security to turn embedded devices into improvised radio frequency (RF) transmitters, according to online magazine Motherboard. Taking advantage of devices like printers and office phones – without resorting to Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connections monitored by network managers – Funtenna allows hackers to spy on networks without using wireless technology such as WiFi or Bluetooth connectivity.

Funtenna software enables any device to emit data as radio signals that can be picked up on an AM radio antenna and decoded by software. Cui demonstrated its power at a Black Hat conference by infecting an affordable laser printer with Funtenna and turning its wires and components into backchannel radio transmitters, sending encoded data through concrete walls even to receivers on the other side of a building with just seven lines of code.

Hacking used to involve placing physical bugs inside of computers; now all that’s required is some malware like Funtenna. A researcher at Columbia University who helped develop it explains its operation:

Although most people think of cell phones when they hear the term “hacking,” there are actually many more devices that can be used to spy on private communications – from laptops and desktop computers to fridges and air conditioners – than most realize. Even the National Security Agency has used household appliances as surveillance tools.

The National Security Agency has long relied upon “emission security,” which involves scanning for electromagnetic radiation leaking from electrical devices and cables, in order to intercept transmission of information being broadcast over radio waves being beamed at them by broadcasting one in return. With Funtenna researchers’ technique they can eavesdrop on private networks – including those located within homes or offices – without raising alarms.

The team also has numerous research projects underway, one of which uses sound waves to steal data from an Air-gapped network. This innovation could potentially enable hackers to extract classified information without ever needing physical access.

Reverse Engineering

Reverse engineering allows you to access its inner workings and alter them for your own purposes, whether that means improving a product, making it work with another one, or even stealing secrets. Reverse engineering typically involves three stages. First is creating an initial model. This should resemble browsing existing documentation without making assumptions.

Modern reverse engineering tools often begin by digitizing high-resolution 3D scan data into wireframe models that can then be modeled in advanced CAD environments. The goal is to recreate an exact model of what they originally scanned which describes its construction using specific information about that item – this practice is known as implementation recovery in software reverse engineering.

One of the more unethical uses of reverse engineering is creating “malware clones.” These are copies of existing malware modified slightly to bypass anti-virus systems and stay undetected by them.

Reverse engineering can also be used unethically for compatibility purposes between software products. Apple’s Logic Pro was specifically created for Mac devices and contains proprietary digital instruments that cannot be used with Windows-based music programs; if reverse engineered correctly however, those instruments could run on both Macs and PCs simultaneously.

Reverse engineering can also be used in more beneficial ways by companies to prepare for attacks on their networks. Teams will simulate attacks before monitoring those attacks to learn more about what’s going on inside. With that information collected, security infrastructures can then be strengthened accordingly.

Rf hacking is also utilized by computer security researchers, digital forensic investigators and design engineers in order to explore the inner workings of RF communication and control systems. You could use rf hacking on anything from remote controls and tire pressure sensors to garage door openers in order to learn their communication protocol using GNU Radio software defined radio capture devices to capture signals before demodulating and deframing before finally decoding what the ones and zeroes mean – you might just find some really interesting surprises there!

Exploiting Vulnerabilities

Computing technology used by RF hackers has improved rapidly compared to that of traditional security teams, making it easier for them to locate and exploit wireless protocol vulnerabilities. As the Internet of Things (IoT) continues to accelerate, so do the proliferation of vulnerable devices masquerading as everyday hardware; many often contain low-cost communications chips designed for cost rather than security, enabling these rogue devices to bypass corporate firewalls and many forms of detection systems. Furthermore, most wireless protocols remain relatively new and untested; their signals don’t raise red flags within enterprise networks either.

They become vulnerable to invisible radio attacks. An alarming example occurred in Dallas where an attacker used an RF attack against 156 emergency sirens, prompting corporations to assess their RF attack surface and understand it better.

As part of their research, Trend Micro team has discovered vulnerabilities in communication protocols used by cranes and other industrial machines that use radio frequency (RF). These vulnerabilities could allow an attacker to eavesdrop on traffic before altering or falsifying transmissions for malicious reasons – potentially even taking over complete control over an device!

Some vulnerabilities can be exploited remotely while others require physical visits to exploit. One researcher set up a tent across from a steel manufacturer, near an animal park, in order to pick up radio frequencies emitted by cranes manufactured there. Another researcher successfully hacked into a crane at a construction site with permission from its operator; by manipulating just its RF signal alone they were able to move it side-to-side by manipulating its arm from side to side.

These findings show the expansive RF attack surface is much wider than many assume, and enterprises need to take more proactive steps against this growing risk. Luckily, there are solutions available to companies to defend against RF hacking – with the right combination of tools, skills, and techniques in their arsenal, security teams can effectively combat RF hacking attacks.

Cloning Remotes

Your garage door and gate remote controls are designed to operate at specific frequencies to avoid interference with other devices and systems, like your home security system. While some individuals may try changing the frequencies on their remote controls for either door, it should generally be avoided as this could cause interference between devices as well as potentially leading to loss of functionality or functionality being reduced altogether.

Instead of switching up the frequency, use a cloning device to copy code from one remote to the next. These can be found online and for relatively little money; typically these include batteries and programmable microcontrollers compatible with most frequencies, including 433MHz. Once copied, use your copied remotes to open gates or garage doors!

Industrial remote controls that control machinery are highly vulnerable to hacking. According to research from security firm Trend Micro, such remotes are vulnerable to various attacks such as replaying emergency stop commands indefinitely – potentially creating a persistent denial-of-service condition.

In order to clone an RF remote, both original and cloning device should be within close range. Once in proximity, press one button on both devices simultaneously – when one flickers, that indicates success!

Cloning 433MHz remotes may prove more complex, however. First you may need to clear out the codes on the cloning device by placing both remotes on one table together before pressing one of their buttons – if this does not result in flashing LED lights on either device then repeat this process until an LED on both flashes on its own.

Categorized in: