Daniel Beard: Hacking Air-Gapped Systems for $10 with Arduino
A DEF CON 32 talk where security engineer Daniel Beard demonstrates how to gain remote access to air-gapped systems. Using a low-cost ESP32/Arduino-based device (around $10), he builds a BadUSB-style tool that can emulate a keyboard, create its own wireless network, and execute payloads on a target machine.
The talk shows how such a device can enable remote command execution on isolated systems (e.g., medical equipment) even without internet connectivity.
It also discusses real-world risks and simple mitigations, such as restricting USB access, disabling USB functionality by default, and strengthening physical security controls.
The talk shows how such a device can enable remote command execution on isolated systems (e.g., medical equipment) even without internet connectivity.
It also discusses real-world risks and simple mitigations, such as restricting USB access, disabling USB functionality by default, and strengthening physical security controls.