AetherGuard: Protecting the Mobile Core Network Elements via Air-Gapped Hardware Verification and Code Execution Tracking

Abstract

The goal of the project is to develop, refine, and characterize novel non-intrusive technologies for identifying firmware-level and runtime exploitation of critical devices. AetherGuard allows DHS and other customers to confirm the integrity of critical embedded/closed devices with no manufacturer assistance. In that respect, we developed prototypes to verify the firmware/software of a variety of devices. These devices include SEL351S devices [1], which are commonly used in data centers and other high-power environments, Raspberry PIs [2] (as proxies for 5G hotspots and pico cells), T-Mobile CellSpots [3], and Nokia AirScale system modules [4]. In the beginning of the effort, we also obtained some prior results on an SEL-2740S Software-Defined Network Switch (SDN) [5] and Allen-Bradley PLCs [6] (which are extensively used in data centers and cell towers/installations).

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 2022
Accession Number
AD1175005

Entities

People

  • Angelos D. Keromytis

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Cyber
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Algorithms
  • Circuit Boards
  • Computational Science
  • Computer Architecture
  • Computers
  • Data Centers
  • Detection
  • Embedded Systems
  • Internet Of Things
  • Mobile Devices
  • Mobile Phones
  • Reliability
  • Software Defined Networks
  • Software Defined Radio
  • Supply Chain
  • Test And Evaluation

Readers

  • Computer Networking
  • Cybersecurity.
  • Mycotoxin ecology in Amazonian ecosystems.

Technology Areas

  • 5G
  • 5G - DoD 5G Program
  • 5G - Internet of Things