"Satellite Security Lags Decades Behind the State of the Art"

Researchers from Ruhr University Bochum and the CISPA Helmholtz Center for Information Security have evaluated the security of satellite systems. They analyzed three current low-earth orbit satellites and discovered a need for more implementation of modern security concepts. Different security mechanisms commonly found in modern mobile phones and laptops were missing, such as the separation of code and data. According to interviews with satellite developers, the industry relies on security through obscurity. The researchers devised multiple attack scenarios based on the software analysis' findings. They demonstrated that they could disconnect the satellites from ground control and take control of the systems, for example, to take pictures with the satellite camera. This article continues to discuss key findings from the experimental software security analysis of satellites. 

Ruhr University Bochum reports "Satellite Security Lags Decades Behind the State of the Art"