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A Bluetooth Impersonation Attack (BIAS) allows hackers to exploit flaws in the Bluetooth protocol to pose as a trusted device. A device labeled “BOSE QC Headphones” could actually be a hidden threat waiting for an unsuspecting user to connect, leading to significant damage.
In this week’s Security Bite, I will illustrate how hackers can utilize Flipper Zero to stealthily transmit keystrokes to a Mac by connecting it to a bogus Bluetooth device. This won’t be an exhaustive tutorial since many guides already exist; rather, I aim to demonstrate how straightforward this process is, possibly heightening your sense of caution.
Flipper Zero, in its standard form, is a largely benign pen-testing device. However, due to its open-source nature, it can be enhanced with third-party firmware (specifically, Xtreme), which unlocks a plethora of functionalities that leverage the device’s advanced hardware. This is the same firmware that was infamously used in 2023 to crash iPhones by sending fake BLE pairing sequences.
One noteworthy application is a wireless rubber ducky keyboard known as “Bad USB,” which operates using BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy). This tool is commonly employed for automating tasks or evaluating device security by simulating keyboard input, allowing for rapid keystroke entry and straightforward script execution. Coupled with BLE’s 100-meter range, this tool becomes quite appealing to cybercriminals.
Within just four simple steps and 20 minutes, I was able to deploy a script to rickroll my MacBook Air.
- Launch the Bad USB module on Flipper Zero equipped with Xtreme firmware.
- Upload your desired payload to the Flipper. I crafted a simple .txt script to open YouTube.
- Choose an enticing Bluetooth device name and connect to it. Living in a densely populated urban area, I opted for the default (BadUSB At1l1).
- Once paired, I executed the payload.
This vulnerability isn’t exclusive to Macs; iPhones, iPads, and Windows devices are also at risk. Naturally, the consequences of such an attack could be far more severe than just subjecting users to a Rick Astley song.
Perspective from the Victim
Prevention Strategies
The silver lining? The attack only functions when the device is unlocked. The downside is that most users do not take precautions when connecting to Bluetooth devices. It’s critical to ensure you’re connecting to your intended device (thankfully, AirPods’ H2 chip helps with this), as attackers can deploy multiple devices with names that closely resemble legitimate ones. Spoofing MAC addresses further complicates the issue.
To safeguard against these risks, turn off Bluetooth when it’s not actively in use, remove any unknown devices from your Bluetooth settings, and utilize six-digit pairing codes.
Though these types of attacks are uncommon, their existence should not be dismissed. I would contend that they happen often enough to justify concern, as many victims remain uninformed due to the covert nature of these attacks, which often occur in the background. Cybercriminals prefer persistence; rather than disabling a Mac, why not exploit it repeatedly?
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