7 replies to this topic

[jes1111]

See this recent report:

http://www.theengine...icle?cmpid=TE01

Is this report accurate or an exaggeration/simplification? To my mind it sounds unlikely, unless you "spoof" an array of fake GPS transmissions over a wide footprint, thereby disrupting all GPS in that area. And I can't believe that GPS, developed by and for the military, would be susceptible to such an attack.

What say you?

[bluesurviver]

I think it's possible. There may be other possible hacking solutions. Remember the U.S. drone captured by Iran ? They simply jammed the U.S. signal and took control by their own signal "informing" the drone that they're the control center. Then they manually piloted the drone to the nearest military airport. Be sure they analyzed the U.S. communication long enough to be able to simulate the signals sent by the U.S. control center.

[ANV]

I think it's possible. There may be other possible hacking solutions. Remember the U.S. drone captured by Iran ? They simply jammed the U.S. signal and took control by their own signal "informing" the drone that they're the control center. Then they manually piloted the drone to the nearest military airport. Be sure they analyzed the U.S. communication long enough to be able to simulate the signals sent by the U.S. control center.

Command link is encrypted and even if you've got decrypted bitstream, it is not obvious how to take control over.
What happened is:
- Command link was jammed
- Since there is no command link - Return to Home mode activated
- GPS signal was faked the way described above in the article
- Drone was thinking it is on the way to base field, but in fact, landed somewhere else

The background is:
- GPS signal is really weak
- You don't need to fake "military grade" encrypted GPS, civil is ok.
- Transmission can be made from one ground station, it is not necessary to distribute transmitters. You only have to calculate and precisely maintain timestamp difference from "satellites"

Edited by ANV, 04 July 2012 - 08:40 PM.

[ddavus]

The article carefully stated that "civil" gps signals were spoofed.

[ANV]

The article carefully stated that "civil" gps signals were spoofed.

It doesn't matter, it is already enough to calm down enthusiasts who claim that we don't need radars for air traffic control, because plane's GPS position relayed to the ground is more that enough.

[K Wells]

It is a non issue for reasons I can't state specifically...Let's just say....Triangulation....think about it...GPS is not "the" only method of positioning

[jes1111]

A new article from the same source as my original post:

http://www.theengine...icle?cmpid=TE01

[D-Lite]

What say you?

Sounds plausible but not trivial. The difference between civilian and military GPS is that the military part uses a different code sequence which is secret while the civilian counterpart is public.