@inproceedings{48a50ddb76ef46ac9e75b2358dcd1273,
title = "BitWhisper: Covert Signaling Channel between Air-Gapped Computers Using Thermal Manipulations",
abstract = "It has been assumed that the physical separation ('air-gap') of computers provides a reliable level of security, such that should two adjacent computers become compromised, the covert exchange of data between them would be impossible. In this paper, we demonstrate BitWhisper, a method of bridging the air-gap between adjacent compromised computers by using their heat emissions and built-in thermal sensors to create a covert communication channel. Our method is unique in two respects: it supports bidirectional communication, and it requires no additional dedicated peripheral hardware. We provide experimental results based on the implementation of the Bit-Whisper prototype, and examine the channel's properties and limitations. Our experiments included different layouts, with computers positioned at varying distances from one another, and several sensor types and CPU configurations (e.g., Virtual Machines). We also discuss signal modulation and communication protocols, showing how BitWhisper can be used for the exchange of data between two computers in a close proximity (positioned 0-40 cm apart) at an effective rate of 1-8 bits per hour, a rate which makes it possible to infiltrate brief commands and exfiltrate small amount of data (e.g., passwords) over the covert channel.",
keywords = "air-gap, bridging, covert channel, exfiltration, infiltration, sensors, temperature",
author = "Mordechai Guri and Matan Monitz and Yuval Elovici and Yisroel Mirsky",
note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2015 IEEE.; 28th IEEE Computer Security Foundations Symposium, CSF 2015 ; Conference date: 13-07-2015 Through 17-07-2015",
year = "2015",
month = sep,
day = "4",
doi = "https://doi.org/10.1109/CSF.2015.26",
language = "American English",
series = "Proceedings of the Computer Security Foundations Workshop",
pages = "276--289",
editor = "Patrick Kellenberger",
booktitle = "Proceedings - 2015 IEEE 28th Computer Security Foundations Symposium, CSF 2015",
}