The hidden danger in everyday devices: Understanding hardware-based cyber attacks

While cyberattacks traditionally focus on software vulnerabilities, hardware-based threats operate at a deeper level, affecting the physical components of electronic devices. Attackers can exploit multiple attack vectors, including tampered components introduced during manufacturing, supply chain infiltration, and embedded hardware trojans that allow remote manipulation. Unlike software-based cyberattacks, hardware attacks cannot always be patched after deployment, making prevention and detection even more crucial.

The nature of cyber threats is evolving beyond traditional software vulnerabilities to include hardware-based attacks, which exploit commonly used electronic devices in unexpected ways. The weaponization of battery-powered communication devices, such as pagers and walkie-talkies, demonstrates a new era of cyber-physical warfare, where everyday items can be transformed into lethal weapons. This shift represents a significant security challenge, as hardware attacks bypass conventional cybersecurity defenses and can be difficult to detect before they are deployed.

A recent study titled "When Everyday Devices Become Weapons: A Closer Look at the Pager and Walkie-Talkie Attacks", authored by Pantha Protim Sarker, Upoma Das, Nitin Varshney, Shang Shi, Akshay Kulkarni, Farimah Farahmandi, and Mark Tehranipoor from the University of Florida, investigates the September 2024 Lebanon attacks, where tampered pagers and walkie-talkies were used to trigger deadly explosions. Published in January 2025, this study examines how these attacks were executed, the vulnerabilities that enabled them, and the critical lessons for future prevention.

Hardware attacks: Risks and realities

While cyberattacks traditionally focus on software vulnerabilities, hardware-based threats operate at a deeper level, affecting the physical components of electronic devices. Attackers can exploit multiple attack vectors, including tampered components introduced during manufacturing, supply chain infiltration, and embedded hardware trojans that allow remote manipulation. Unlike software-based cyberattacks, hardware attacks cannot always be patched after deployment, making prevention and detection even more crucial.

A major risk factor is the globalized supply chain in which different manufacturers contribute components across multiple regions. This complexity makes it difficult to track and prevent malicious modifications before they reach the end user. Attackers exploit these gaps to embed hidden threats inside seemingly legitimate devices, ensuring that compromised hardware remains dormant until triggered.

The pager and walkie-talkie attacks: A case study

Attack Background and Execution

The September 2024 Lebanon attacks demonstrated how weaponized communication devices could be used in large-scale, coordinated strikes. The first wave of attacks occurred on September 17, 2024, when thousands of pagers exploded simultaneously in Hezbollah-controlled areas. The second wave followed on September 18, when compromised walkie-talkies detonated, causing additional destruction. These attacks led to 42 confirmed deaths and over 3,500 injuries, alongside severe disruptions to communication networks, impacting both military and civilian infrastructure.

Investigations revealed that the attackers had infiltrated the device supply chain, modifying pagers and walkie-talkies before they reached their intended users. This sophisticated strategy allowed the attackers to embed malicious components without detection, ensuring that the devices remained functional until activated. The attacks highlighted a critical weakness in the global electronics supply chain, where manufacturing vulnerabilities can be exploited to deploy weaponized devices at scale.

Supply chain vulnerabilities: How the attack Was possible

One of the key enablers of this attack was the compromise of the supply chain. The study traces the pagers used in the attack to Gold Apollo, a Taiwanese company, which had a licensing agreement with BAC Consulting in Hungary. Attackers manipulated the production process, introducing undetectable modifications into the devices before distribution.

This case underscores the dangers of supply chain infiltration, where adversaries exploit the lack of unified oversight across international suppliers. Once tampered devices are distributed, tracking down security breaches becomes nearly impossible, as the attack is embedded at the hardware level. The study calls for enhanced supply chain security measures, including traceability mechanisms, stricter component verification, and multi-layered authentication protocols to prevent similar attacks.

Technical analysis: How the devices were weaponized

Explosive Integration in Batteries

One of the most alarming aspects of the attack was the integration of explosives within the devices’ batteries. The attackers concealed Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate (PETN), a highly stable but powerful explosive, inside modified lithium-ion battery casings. This method ensured that the devices would pass standard security screenings, as the batteries retained full functionality until remotely triggered.

The study explains that this technique is particularly dangerous because it combines the need for power storage with an embedded explosive payload. Attackers were able to utilize everyday device functions without raising suspicion, ensuring that the pagers and walkie-talkies remained operational until detonation.

Remote Triggering Mechanism

The attack was not accidental - it relied on a highly coordinated remote activation system. The detonations were triggered using communication signals sent to the compromised devices, leveraging existing protocols in pagers and walkie-talkies.

For pagers, attackers exploited paging networks to send coded signals that activated embedded detonators inside the battery. For walkie-talkies, technologies such as CTCSS (Continuous Tone-Coded Squelch System) and DTMF (Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency) were used to send hidden activation codes, enabling remote detonation across multiple locations. This method allowed the attackers to launch synchronized attacks without direct contact with the devices, making prevention and detection significantly more challenging.

Impact of the attacks: Security implications

Immediate Consequences

The attacks had severe human, technological, and geopolitical consequences. The loss of life and widespread injuries overwhelmed emergency response teams, while the destruction of communication networks delayed military and civilian coordination efforts. The event raised global alarm about hardware-based cyber threats, leading to urgent security reviews in both the private and public sectors.

Long-Term Industry Impact

Beyond the immediate crisis, the attack caused lasting disruptions in the technology and telecommunications industries. Gold Apollo, the Taiwanese manufacturer implicated in the supply chain compromise, faced major reputational damage, with its stock plummeting by 15% in the aftermath. Governments worldwide tightened regulations on electronic imports, implementing new security measures for battery-powered communication devices. This attack accelerated efforts to improve supply chain security, reinforcing the need for hardware verification protocols and tamper-resistant designs.

Prevention strategies: Securing hardware against future threats

Strengthening Supply Chain Security

The study calls for improved supply chain security through better traceability measures and stricter inspections. Governments and private sector leaders must monitor each stage of hardware production, ensuring that every component is verified before distribution. Increasing regulatory oversight on outsourced manufacturing can help reduce exposure to compromised supply chains.

Advanced Physical Inspection Techniques

To detect embedded threats, new security scanning technologies must be developed. X-ray and CT scanning techniques can be enhanced to identify anomalies within batteries, while neutron scanning and explosives trace detection (ETD) technologies can provide additional layers of security. These advancements can help identify tampered components before they reach consumers.

Cyber-Physical Security Integration

Integrating AI-driven anomaly detection systems into hardware verification processes can significantly enhance security. Blockchain-based supply chain monitoring can ensure tamper-proof tracking of components, while deploying tamper-resistant battery designs can prevent unauthorized modifications. By leveraging cyber-physical security frameworks, organizations can proactively counter hardware-based attacks before they occur.