Watch Dogs : Covert Ultrasonic Communication Between Air-Gapped Computers
Author
Abstract

The technology described in this paper allows two or more air-gapped computers with passive speakers to discreetly exchange data between them while they are in the same room. The suggested solution takes advantage of the audio chip’s HDA Jack Retask capability, which enables speakers to be attached to it to be switched from output devices to input devices, turning them into microphones. Details of the implementation, technical background, and attack model are discussed. The reversed speakers nonetheless operate effectively in the near-ultrasonic frequency range (18kHz to 24kHz), despite not being intended to function as microphones. The analysis of practical factors for the effective application of the suggested strategy continues. The findings have important ramifications for safe data transfer between air-gapped systems and emphasise the necessity of extra security measures to thWart such assaults.

Year of Publication
2023
Date Published
aug
URL
https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10335090
DOI
10.1109/ICSCC59169.2023.10335090
Google Scholar | BibTeX | DOI