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Main Authors: Jiang, Yan, Ji, Xiaoyu, Jiang, Yancheng, Wang, Kai, Xu, Chenren, Xu, Wenyuan
Format: Preprint
Published: 2024
Subjects:
Online Access:https://arxiv.org/abs/2412.18103
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author Jiang, Yan
Ji, Xiaoyu
Jiang, Yancheng
Wang, Kai
Xu, Chenren
Xu, Wenyuan
author_facet Jiang, Yan
Ji, Xiaoyu
Jiang, Yancheng
Wang, Kai
Xu, Chenren
Xu, Wenyuan
contents Sensors are key components enabling various applications, e.g., home intrusion detection and environmental monitoring. While various software defenses and physical protections are used to prevent sensor manipulation, this paper introduces a new threat vector, PowerRadio, that bypasses existing protections and changes sensor readings from a distance. PowerRadio leverages interconnected ground (GND) wires, a standard practice for electrical safety at home, to inject malicious signals. The injected signal is coupled by the sensor's analog measurement wire and eventually survives the noise filters, inducing incorrect measurement. We present three methods to manipulate sensors by inducing static bias, periodical signals, or pulses. For instance, we show adding stripes into the captured images of a surveillance camera or injecting inaudible voice commands into conference microphones. We study the underlying principles of PowerRadio and identify its root causes: (1) the lack of shielding between ground and data signal wires and (2) the asymmetry of circuit impedance that enables interference to bypass filtering. We validate PowerRadio against a surveillance system, broadcast systems, and various sensors. We believe that PowerRadio represents an emerging threat, exhibiting the advantages of both radiated and conducted EMI, e.g., expanding the effective attack distance of radiated EMI yet eliminating the requirement of line-of-sight or approaching physically. Our insights shall provide guidance for enhancing the sensors' security and power wiring during the design phases.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2412_18103
institution arXiv
publishDate 2024
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle PowerRadio: Manipulate Sensor Measurementvia Power GND Radiation
Jiang, Yan
Ji, Xiaoyu
Jiang, Yancheng
Wang, Kai
Xu, Chenren
Xu, Wenyuan
Signal Processing
15A06
B.7.3; B.8.1; J.2
Sensors are key components enabling various applications, e.g., home intrusion detection and environmental monitoring. While various software defenses and physical protections are used to prevent sensor manipulation, this paper introduces a new threat vector, PowerRadio, that bypasses existing protections and changes sensor readings from a distance. PowerRadio leverages interconnected ground (GND) wires, a standard practice for electrical safety at home, to inject malicious signals. The injected signal is coupled by the sensor's analog measurement wire and eventually survives the noise filters, inducing incorrect measurement. We present three methods to manipulate sensors by inducing static bias, periodical signals, or pulses. For instance, we show adding stripes into the captured images of a surveillance camera or injecting inaudible voice commands into conference microphones. We study the underlying principles of PowerRadio and identify its root causes: (1) the lack of shielding between ground and data signal wires and (2) the asymmetry of circuit impedance that enables interference to bypass filtering. We validate PowerRadio against a surveillance system, broadcast systems, and various sensors. We believe that PowerRadio represents an emerging threat, exhibiting the advantages of both radiated and conducted EMI, e.g., expanding the effective attack distance of radiated EMI yet eliminating the requirement of line-of-sight or approaching physically. Our insights shall provide guidance for enhancing the sensors' security and power wiring during the design phases.
title PowerRadio: Manipulate Sensor Measurementvia Power GND Radiation
topic Signal Processing
15A06
B.7.3; B.8.1; J.2
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2412.18103