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All Cops Are Broadcasting: Breaking TETRA After Decades in the Shadows
Breaking decades of secrecy, researchers expose vulnerabilities in the TETRA encryption algorithm, used by law enforcement agencies worldwide, revealing a backdoor and exploitable flaws that can compromise sensitive communications.
- The TETRA encryption algorithm suite is used for voice and data encryption, but has been compromised by flaws in its design and implementation.
- The algorithm uses a random seed, but the seed is easily predictable, allowing for decryption of messages.
- The TETRA system uses a hierarchical system of encryption, with each level being more secure than the last.
- However, the encryption used at each level is flawed, and can be easily broken using off-the-shelf hardware.
- The attacker can recover the entire keystream by capturing and retransmitting a small portion of the encrypted data.
- The TETRA system also uses a primitive called TA61 for identity encryption, which is vulnerable to attack.
- The system has been used by law enforcement agencies around the world, including the UK’s police force.
- The researchers have found multiple vulnerabilities in the TETRA system, including a backdoor that allows unauthorized access to the system.
- The vulnerabilities have been mitigated by firmware updates, but the system remains vulnerable to attack.
- The TETRA system has been used in a variety of contexts, including police communications, emergency services, and military communications.
- The system is widely used, with estimates suggesting that it is used by over 100 countries.
- The researchers hope to establish a community of cryptanalysts to help analyze and break the TETRA system.