A hacker used a $25 custom-built tool to hack into SpaceX’s Starlink satellite system

A $25 device that breaks into Starlink’s ‘Dishy’ system

Space has launched more than 3,000 satellites into low Earth orbit. Customers for the satellite internet service must pay a monthly fee of more than $100 as well as a hardware fee in excess of $500 to obtain the 19-inch wide “Dishy” satellite dish required for using the service.

Wouters developed a custom-made modchip to gain access to Dishy. According to Wired, this custom circuit board is attached to Dishy and it can be fairly easily made using off-the-shelf parts costing roughly $25 in total. Wouters has made the outline for how to build the modchip available on Github.

The custom-built device allows users to access Dishy’s software and it can launch an attack that causes a glitch, which hackers access locked parts of the system.

“The widespread availability of Starlink User Terminals (UT) exposes them to hardware hackers and opens the door for an attacker to freely explore the network,” Wouters wrote in the description for his briefing.

“Our attack results in an unfixable compromise of the Starlink [user terminal] and allows us to execute arbitrary code,” he continued. “The ability to obtain root access on the Starlink [user terminal] is a prerequisite to freely explore the Starlink network.”

SpaceX blocks cyberattacks at ‘eye-watering’ speed

SpaceX has already replied to Wouters’ warning about the flaw in its system by performing a software update that it believes should resolve the issue. However, according to Wouters the only way SpaceX can ensure others won’t gain access in a similar way is by creating a new version of Dishy’s main chip. It’s worth noting that Wouters didn’t share his findings to help others hack Starlink satellite dishes. Instead, he hopes it will help the private space firm to improve cybersecurity for its users.