Researchers Hack Linux-Powered, Self-Aiming Smart Rifle, Causing It To Change Targets
Remember when getting hacked meant loss of control of your PC and/or stolen data? It could be embarrassing, sure, and you could even be fired if a weak password contributed to the theft of sensitive company information. However, more recent hacks of shown a frightening trend towards causing physical harm.
Earlier this month, security researchers demonstrated the ability to remotely hijack virtually all controls in a Jeep Cherokee, including steering and braking. And now we're finding out that hackers can disable or change the target of a computer-aided sniper rifle. Scary times we live in, folks.
Security researchers Runa Sandvik and Michael Auger developed techniques to hack TrackingPoint's self-aiming rifles through their Wi-Fi connections. Once inside, their methods allow an attacker to stop the rifle from firing, miss a target, or change the target to one of their choosing.
These are Linux-powered rifles with high-tech self-aiming systems built into them. Things like wind, temperature, and even the weight of the bullet are all factored in when aiming at a target. When the trigger is pulled, the rifle then calculates the precise time to activate the firing pin, allowing even inexperienced shooters to consistent hit targets even a mile away.
The Wi-Fi on these rifles is disabled by default, though should the user turn it on in order to stream video, a hacker can break in and wreak havoc. In a demonstration provided to Wired, the researchers showed their hack altering a rifle so that it would hit a bulls eye that was 2.5 feet away from the originally intended target.
TrackingPoint is aware of the research and said it's working patch the rifle's vulnerabilities.
Earlier this month, security researchers demonstrated the ability to remotely hijack virtually all controls in a Jeep Cherokee, including steering and braking. And now we're finding out that hackers can disable or change the target of a computer-aided sniper rifle. Scary times we live in, folks.
Security researchers Runa Sandvik and Michael Auger developed techniques to hack TrackingPoint's self-aiming rifles through their Wi-Fi connections. Once inside, their methods allow an attacker to stop the rifle from firing, miss a target, or change the target to one of their choosing.
These are Linux-powered rifles with high-tech self-aiming systems built into them. Things like wind, temperature, and even the weight of the bullet are all factored in when aiming at a target. When the trigger is pulled, the rifle then calculates the precise time to activate the firing pin, allowing even inexperienced shooters to consistent hit targets even a mile away.
The Wi-Fi on these rifles is disabled by default, though should the user turn it on in order to stream video, a hacker can break in and wreak havoc. In a demonstration provided to Wired, the researchers showed their hack altering a rifle so that it would hit a bulls eye that was 2.5 feet away from the originally intended target.
TrackingPoint is aware of the research and said it's working patch the rifle's vulnerabilities.
