In a groundbreaking study, Leite Junior et al. have unveiled a concerning vulnerability in maritime cybersecurity that could potentially open the door for remote cyberattacks on ships. Despite being air-gapped from external networks, ships equipped with radar systems and AIS (Automatic Identification System) are not immune to cyber threats.
The study delves into the feasibility of attackers remotely sending commands to exploit cyber threats hosted on ships, leveraging RADAR or AIS as entry points. This means that even if a ship’s systems are isolated from external networks, they could still be susceptible to cyber intrusions.
The proposed mechanism involves using a template matching technique to detect specific patterns transmitted by attackers through RADAR or AIS signals. Once these patterns are recognized, a malicious code embedded within the ship’s systems can be activated, initiating harmful actions such as system resets or screen freezes.
The research highlights a significant gap in existing literature, which has mainly focused on analyzing cyber risks and vulnerabilities in naval systems but has overlooked the exploitation of RADAR risk rişiand AIS as attack vectors. By demonstrating the effectiveness of their proposed triggering mechanism, the researchers underscore the urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity measures in maritime environments.
The implications of this research are far-reaching, raising concerns about the security of ships and maritime infrastructure. As RADAR and AIS continue to play crucial roles in navigation and communication at sea, safeguarding them against cyber threats is imperative to ensure the safety and integrity of maritime operations.
This study serves as a wake-up call for the maritime industry and cybersecurity professionals to prioritize the development of robust defenses against emerging cyber threats. By addressing vulnerabilities in RADAR and AIS systems, stakeholders can mitigate the risk of cyberattacks and safeguard the stability of maritime operations inincreasingly interconnected world.
Publication Details
Title: A Triggering Mechanism for Cyber-Attacks in Naval Sensors and Systems
Authors: Walmor Cristino Leite Junior, Claudio Coreixas de Moraes, Carlos E. P. de Albuquerque, Raphael Carlos Santos Machado, Alan Oliveira de Sá
Year: 2021
Journal: Sensors
Publisher: MDPI
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/s21093195
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
The 
