Can you hack the rover Curiosity?
The rover Curiosity has been on the surface of Mars for just a week, but during this time it has not moved even a centimeter. So far, scientists are taking pictures and analyzing the surroundings. The first color photo (Gale's crater) has already leaked into the network and scientists have already chosen new rock formations for the next study. Today, “Curious” performs a very risky task: updating the firmware.
As mentioned earlier, the heart of Curiosity is a computer running VxWorks — a popular operating system installed on millions of devices around the world, including ships, airplanes. VxWorks firmware can be updated at any time.
The firmware was actually transferred to the rover during its 8-month flight. On Saturday, the update process began. According to Steve Skandor, senior software engineer, they first activate the update process, after which the connection will be cut for 8 hours
A risky update is considered because the device is located 250 million miles from Earth. However, after that, a number of characteristics will improve, including computer autonomy, surface analysis tools and spatial orientation.
Hacking curiosity
If scientists can update Curiosity, so what prevents other people from updating its software? There are many examples when amateurs abused the “availability” of satellites. However, with "Curiosity" the situation is different.
Theoretically, of course, it is possible to hack it, moreover, it is not so difficult.
To carry out the outgoing signal (to the rover), the largest antennas at 230 feet (70 meters) are equipped with transmitters that provide up to 400 kilowatts of output power. The hacker will also have to repeat the same coding scheme (QPSK) and use the same frequencies (ranges: X, around 8 GHz).
Such obstacles can be overcome only by well-funded terrorist groups that can allow the purchase of expensive equipment to communicate with Mars.
It would be much easier to hack NASA and use its infrastructure to take control of the rover. In principle, it is possible to penetrate the flight control center at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and send out your own commands using a DSN antenna. In addition, you can physically penetrate the flight control center and download new firmware (for example, via USB).
Back in March, NASA reported that it had been attacked by hacker attacks. At the same time, 150 NASA employee accounts were stolen, which can be used to access protected files.
In general, it is quite possible to gain access to managing Curiosity, but it will take much more effort and money than is worth it.
As mentioned earlier, the heart of Curiosity is a computer running VxWorks — a popular operating system installed on millions of devices around the world, including ships, airplanes. VxWorks firmware can be updated at any time.
The firmware was actually transferred to the rover during its 8-month flight. On Saturday, the update process began. According to Steve Skandor, senior software engineer, they first activate the update process, after which the connection will be cut for 8 hours
A risky update is considered because the device is located 250 million miles from Earth. However, after that, a number of characteristics will improve, including computer autonomy, surface analysis tools and spatial orientation.
Hacking curiosity
If scientists can update Curiosity, so what prevents other people from updating its software? There are many examples when amateurs abused the “availability” of satellites. However, with "Curiosity" the situation is different.
Theoretically, of course, it is possible to hack it, moreover, it is not so difficult.
To carry out the outgoing signal (to the rover), the largest antennas at 230 feet (70 meters) are equipped with transmitters that provide up to 400 kilowatts of output power. The hacker will also have to repeat the same coding scheme (QPSK) and use the same frequencies (ranges: X, around 8 GHz).
Such obstacles can be overcome only by well-funded terrorist groups that can allow the purchase of expensive equipment to communicate with Mars.
It would be much easier to hack NASA and use its infrastructure to take control of the rover. In principle, it is possible to penetrate the flight control center at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and send out your own commands using a DSN antenna. In addition, you can physically penetrate the flight control center and download new firmware (for example, via USB).
Back in March, NASA reported that it had been attacked by hacker attacks. At the same time, 150 NASA employee accounts were stolen, which can be used to access protected files.
In general, it is quite possible to gain access to managing Curiosity, but it will take much more effort and money than is worth it.
')
Source: https://habr.com/ru/post/149667/
All Articles