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arXiv · 2303.00582

Dishing Out DoS: How to Disable and Secure the Starlink User Terminal

Joshua Smailes·Edd Salkield·Sebastian Köhler·Simon Birnbach·Ivan Martinovic
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Abstract

Satellite user terminals are a promising target for adversaries seeking to target satellite communication networks. Despite this, many protections commonly found in terrestrial routers are not present in some user terminals. As a case study we audit the attack surface presented by the Starlink router's admin interface, using fuzzing to uncover a denial of service attack on the Starlink user terminal. We explore the attack's impact, particularly in the cases of drive-by attackers, and attackers that are able to maintain a continuous presence on the network. Finally, we discuss wider implications, looking at lessons learned in terrestrial router security, and how to properly implement them in this new context.

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Joshua Smailes, Edd Salkield, Sebastian Köhler, Simon Birnbach, Ivan Martinovic. 2023-03-01. Dishing Out DoS: How to Disable and Secure the Starlink User Terminal. https://arxiv.org/abs/2303.00582

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