AIR GAPPED SYSTEM OFFLINE

It happens at a rate of 1000 bit/sec and works for devices 2m (or more) apart.Īccording to the researchers, executing COVID-bit is trivial and evasive since it requires no root privileges and even works with virtual machines. A nearby recipient device, such as a mobile phone, can detect these radiations and decipher the transmitted data. Once the target air-gapped system is compromised, the malware can manipulate the CPU loads and core frequency which consequently triggers the power supply unit to generate specific low-frequency radiations (between 0-60 kHz). The same principle applies in the COVID-bit attack – a COVert channel attack. The malware exploits a specific hardware unit within the system to generate detectable radiations, which the attacker’s system may receive and process to decipher the data. If a rogue insider or an attacker successfully gaining physical access to the air-gapped environment infects the target system/network with malware, attacking it becomes easy. While keeping the systems/networks off the internet sounds like a once-for-all security solution, it isn’t the case. Such installations are common in sensitive sectors such as the military.

AIR GAPPED SYSTEM OFFLINE

The researchers from the same have also previously devised and elaborated on many other attacks against air-gapped networks, such as BRIGHTNESS (exploiting the LCD screen brightness), Air-ViBeR (exploiting PC’s vibrations due to the fan), AIR-FI (exploiting the RAM), LANTENNA (manipulating the ethernet cables), and SATAn (using the SATA cables).Īnd now, the recent COVID-bit attack exploits the power supply of the target air-gapped system to steal information.Īir-gapped systems or networks are isolated setups that remain offline to prevent online cyberattacks. Researchers from the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel, have shared another attack technique, “COVID-bit,” to steal data from air-gapped systems. COVID-bit Attack Against Air-Gapped Devices Dubbed “COVID-bit,” this new technique induces the power supply of the target air-gapped systems to generate radiations, which then leak the data. Researchers have found a new way to attack air-gapped systems.

Air gapped system