By Chris Poore,
Senior Reverse Engineer
Two minute read
It was an honor to present the latest updates to FISSURE at the DEF CON Radio Frequency Village in Las Vegas this past Saturday, August 10.
FISSURE UPDATES
One of the key updates I showcased was the introduction of deployable remote sensor nodes. These nodes are run on general-purpose computers (single-board computers, mini-PCs, laptops, desktops, etc.) and control many types of radio peripherals. They can also receive input from just about any type of sensory device that can be controlled by a computer.
To seize the opportunity presented by this new deployment scheme, we added a variety of example triggers (acoustic, environmental, filesystem, networking, RF, time and visual) that can be used to kick off many types of electromagnetic effects/actions supported by FISSURE. Additionally, we added a new type of playlist that can run scripts simultaneously across multiple radio peripherals to increase productivity on a sensor node. This new playlist type can be controlled over a network through the FISSURE Dashboard GUI or operate independently upon startup of the sensor node to execute any number of automated tasks.
Another topic that was covered were changes to the Target Signal Identification tab – the beginning component of FISSURE that will detect, isolate and classify signals using machine learning. The new signal conditioner, feature extractor and signal classifier elements provide a testbed for maturing algorithms across a range of topics and comparing machine learning models for classifying RF protocols and emitters.
These updates to FISSURE significantly enhance its versatility and compatibility across various environments, empowering users to tackle a broader range of geospatial scenarios. The improvements not only provide access to additional platforms but also enable greater situational awareness by triggering responses based on environmental conditions. With the integration of remote access capabilities and room for increased automation, FISSURE becomes an even more powerful tool, allowing users to efficiently manage operations and respond to dynamic situations with agility and precision.
We’ve also made it easier to conduct remote and cost-effective testing. Now, cybersecurity professionals can access specialized RF environments globally, whether they’re working from home or a remote location, without the need for physical presence at a specific site.
If you missed my presentation at DEF CON, don’t worry! A pre-recorded version will be available soon through the RF Village and linked to in the GitHub page.
Next up, I’ll be taking my blackjack winnings and attending the Binghamton University STEM Job and Internship Fair and then GRCon in mid-September. I’m looking forward to connecting with more of you there and discussing how FISSURE can continue to meet the evolving challenges in RF and reverse engineering. See you soon!
