Should We Call Satellite Hackers Space Invaders?

As the vast majority of us go about our daily lives, oblivious to the threats lurking in the vast expanse of space, a sobering reality has been revealed about the vulnerability of satellites orbiting our planet. The Register recently highlighted just how precarious the situation is for these 12,000+ satellites, many of which rely on open-source applications to function.

The Problem: Open-Source Vulnerabilities

Yamcs, an open-source application used by NASA and Airbus, has a staggering five known CVEs (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures) that would grant an attacker complete control over the software on satellites utilizing this tool. The same applies to OpenC3 Cosmos, another widely-used open-source app in ground station systems, which boasts seven CVEs – five of which can be exploited for remote code execution and cross-site scripting attacks.

NASA's Satellite Software: A Patchwork of Flaws

NASA's Core Flight System software, Aquila, has been found to harbor four critical flaws. One of these vulnerabilities allows an attacker to execute remote code, while another leaves the entire onboard software vulnerable after a restart, rendering previous security keys obsolete.

NASA's modified version of CryptoLib, used in numerous satellites, still contains four serious flaws – including a particularly insidious one that can be exploited by an unauthenticated telephone call. This vulnerability enables an attacker to crash the satellite's onboard software and leave its systems wide open to exploitation upon reboot.

A Cosmic Menace: The Gravity of These Flaws

While it may seem like a far-fetched scenario, these flaws represent a very real threat to the safety and security of satellites orbiting our planet. The potential for an attacker to gain complete control over a satellite's software is, quite literally, a matter of cosmic proportions.

The question remains: should we refer to these malicious hackers as "Space Invaders," borrowing from the classic arcade game of the same name? While the term may be sensationalized, it encapsulates the gravity of this issue – the notion that our satellites are under attack from a group of skilled and ruthless adversaries.

Conclusion: The Need for Urgent Action

The vulnerabilities in satellite software highlight a pressing need for urgent action. As we continue to push the boundaries of space exploration, it is imperative that we prioritize the security of our satellites – the very backbone of modern communication, navigation, and scientific research.

Only through concerted effort can we ensure the integrity of these critical systems, safeguarding against the malicious intentions of those who would seek to exploit them. The fate of our space-based assets hangs in the balance; it is up to us to act swiftly and decisively to prevent a potential catastrophe.