Re: "hacking" a wireless ap firmware

[Michael Puchol <mpuchol () sonar-security com>]

Hi,

You can start looking here:

http://www.openwrt.org

and

http://www.dd-wrt.org

which are alternative linux-based firmware, supporting many features, 
such as captive portals, IDS systems, etc.

However, the simplest way to "hack" an AP to perform nasty things would 
be to change the DHCP DNS entries to ones you own, so all clients would 
be checking against your servers...this is why I use static DNS even 
with DHCP. An exception to this is when you have a captive portal, which 
must supply you its own DNS entries, otherwise it cannot perform the 
function it is designed for.

Regards,

Mike

Norbert François wrote:
> Hi everybody...
>
> After a discussion with a friend of mine, I argued that it was
> possible to change the behaviour of a firmware, so that an attacker
> could put a backdoor inside, for instance :S...
>
> Perhaps I spoke a bit quickly, 'cause now I feel a bit lost in
> modifying the firmware :(.
>
> Basically, every access point proposes you to update its firmware...
> Most of the fime, these firmware are sold in a *.bin format. After
> having tried to search for relevant strings in the bin, disassembling
> it and loosing time, I'm still at the same point :(.
>
> Do you have any experience in firmware modification ? Do you know in
> which language firwares are written ? Maybe tryin' a decompilation
> could help me...
>
> Thanks a lot
>
> Norbert
>
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This List Sponsored by: Cenzic

Concerned about Web Application Security? 
Why not go with the #1 solution - Cenzic, the only one to win the Analyst's 
Choice Award from eWeek. As attacks through web applications continue to rise, 
you need to proactively protect your applications from hackers. Cenzic has the 
most comprehensive solutions to meet your application security penetration 
testing and vulnerability management needs. You have an option to go with a 
managed service (Cenzic ClickToSecure) or an enterprise software 
(Cenzic Hailstorm). Download FREE whitepaper on how a managed service can 
help you: http://www.cenzic.com/news_events/wpappsec.php 
And, now for a limited time we can do a FREE audit for you to confirm your 
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