Hacked satellite systems could launch microwave-like attacks, expert warns

At Black Hat conference in Las Vegas, researcher says theoretical threat to ships, planes and military is 'no longer theoretical'

The satellite communications that ships, planes and the military use to connect to the internet are vulnerable to hackers that, in the worst-case scenario, could carry out "cyber-physical attacks", turning satellite antennas into weapons that operate, essentially, like microwave ovens.

According to research presented at the Black Hat information security conference in Las Vegas, a number of popular satellite communication systems are vulnerable to the attacks, which could also leak information and hack connected devices. The attacks, which are merely a nuisance for the aviation sector, could pose a safety risk for military and maritime users, the research claims.

Ruben Santamarta, a researcher for the information security firm IOActive, carried out the study, building on research he presented in 2014. "The consequences of these vulnerabilities are shocking," Santamarta said. "Essentially, the theoretical cases I developed four years ago are no longer theoretical."