How to Hack a Vulnerable Satellite: PWNSAT Project

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The PWNSAT project is a vulnerable-by-design satellite developed for cybersecurity research and ethical hacking. Built by Romel Marin and the LyndLabs team, this FlatSat (Flat Satellite) prototype simulates real satellite hardware, allowing security researchers to test exploits in a controlled environment.

Key Features of PWNSAT:

  • Hardware-based hacking challenges (unlike traditional CTFs).
  • Real-world satellite attack surfaces (radio communications, onboard systems).
  • Designed for penetration testers (OSCP, OSEP, CRTO holders).

You Should Know: Satellite Hacking Techniques

Satellite hacking involves RF (Radio Frequency) attacks, firmware exploitation, and command injection. Below are some practical commands and techniques:

  1. Analyzing Satellite Communications (SDR – Software Defined Radio)
    Use GNU Radio & Gqrx for signal analysis 
sudo apt install gqrx 
gqrx

Capture RF signals with HackRF 
hackrf_transfer -r capture.iq -f 437000000 -s 2000000 -n 1000000

Decode satellite telemetry using gr-satellites 
git clone https://github.com/daniestevez/gr-satellites 
cd gr-satellites 
mkdir build && cd build 
cmake .. 
make 
sudo make install
    1. Exploiting Onboard Systems (Firmware Dumping & Reverse Engineering)
      Extract firmware via UART (if physical access is possible) 
screen /dev/ttyUSB0 115200 </li>
</ol>

Use Binwalk to analyze firmware 
binwalk -e satellite_firmware.bin

Flash modified firmware (risky!) 
avrdude -c usbasp -p atmega328p -U flash:w:hacked_firmware.hex

    3. Command Injection via Ground Station Software

    Many satellites use unencrypted uplink/downlink commands. Attackers can hijack control by replaying or spoofing signals.

     Python script to send malicious commands via RF 
from pwn import<br />
import serial

ser = serial.Serial('/dev/ttyACM0', 9600) 
ser.write(b'UNLOCK_SAFE_MODE')  Example malicious command

    4. Attacking Satellite IoT Devices (GPS Spoofing)

     Use GPS-SDR-SIM to fake GPS signals 
git clone https://github.com/osqzss/gps-sdr-sim 
cd gps-sdr-sim 
./gps-sdr-sim -e brdc3540.14n -l 40.0, -75.0,100

    What Undercode Say

    Satellite hacking is the next frontier in cybersecurity. As PWNSAT demonstrates, real-world space systems are vulnerable to:
    – Signal jamming & spoofing
    – Firmware backdoors
    – Remote code execution via ground stations

    Security researchers must focus on RF security, embedded system hardening, and secure satellite protocols. Expect more space-based penetration testing frameworks in the future.

    Expected Output:

    • A compromised satellite responding to malicious commands.
    • Dumped firmware revealing hardcoded credentials.
    • Hijacked telemetry data streams.

    Prediction:

    By 2026, satellite hacking will be a standard red-team exercise, with certifications like OSSP (Offensive Satellite Security Professional) emerging.

    (No irrelevant URLs found in the original post.)

    References:

    Reported By: Romel Marin – Hackers Feeds
    Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
    Basic Verification: Pass ✅

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