Security researchers at George Mason University have uncovered an alarming security flaw in Apple's "Find My" network that should put companies around the world on high alert. Using the "nRootTag" method, attackers can turn any device - from a smartphone to an IoT-enabled production facility - into a digital tracking device without the owner noticing.
The threat goes far beyond the misuse of consumer devices. Companies are facing a completely new form of industrial espionage that not only endangers the physical security of sites and infrastructure, but also eliminates the competitive advantage gained through secret movement data of employees and sensitive company resources.
But what does this mean specifically for CEOs, CIOs, CISOs and CSOs? Why is this vulnerability a threat to multinational corporations as well as to medium-sized companies? And what strategies are there to protect yourself against it? In this article, we show what dangers nRootTag poses for companies, how it works and what you can do today to protect your company.
Apple has developed a network called "Find My" that enables millions of devices to find lost smartphones, laptops or AirTags via a globally anonymous Bluetooth system. Every Apple device near a lost object transmits its location to a secure Apple server, where the actual owner can retrieve it.
But it is precisely this function, which sounds sensible in itself, that is being turned into a gateway for cyber criminals by the attack that has now been discovered. The researchers discovered that attackers can use "nRootTag" to trick other people's devices into pretending to be AirTags. This means that they are registered via the "Find My" network and continuously send their location.
This happens completely without the owner's consent and only requires manipulation of the Bluetooth address of the target device. The trick: devices such as smartphones, laptops or IoT sensors do not have to be compromised or infected with malware - their mere existence in the Bluetooth network is enough to turn them into an unwanted tracking tool.
Industrial espionage has so far been associated with complex eavesdropping attacks or compromised networks. But with nRootTag, attackers do not need sophisticated hacking techniques or insider contacts - indirect access to the "Find My" network is enough to spy on the movements of employees or valuable items such as servers or prototypes.
Imagine your CFO is traveling to a secret negotiation meeting. If competitors or attackers had already “tagged” his equipment using nRootTag, they could track his movements in real time and draw valuable conclusions for strategic decisions.
From production facilities to research centers to global goods logistics: anyone who knows when a critical delivery will arrive or where it is located could cause significant damage to companies - be it through targeted delivery delays, blackmail or patent theft.
Companies that rely heavily on networked machines in Industry 4.0 use a variety of Bluetooth-enabled devices for process control. If attackers can locate certain sensors or machines and thus analyze production processes, for example, this would have a massive impact on competitiveness.
For many companies, nRootTag means nothing less than an invisible eavesdropping method using physical location analysis. The method requires neither access to systems nor hacker installation, but simply exploits the vulnerabilities in standardized Bluetooth mechanisms.
The potential use by organised economic criminals and state actors is particularly worrying:
competitive espionage: Companies could be specifically “marked” to locate patents and prototypes or to spy on production cycles.
Geopolitical cyberattacks: nRootTag could enable foreign states or their secret services to follow strategically relevant industrial companies or government organizations.
Manipulation attacks: Knowledge of critical location data enables targeted acts of sabotage or blackmail of companies.
The fact that the attack works on all platforms such as Windows, Linux and IoT devices makes it all the more dangerous.
Since Apple has already been informed of this vulnerability but could take years to fully fix, it is imperative that companies take proactive steps to protect themselves against potential abuse.
As a leading provider of IT security solutions, ProSec supports companies in ensuring digital and physical security at the highest level. Our experts provide you with targeted advice on areas such as:
Now is the right time to protect your company against this increasing form of industrial espionage. ProSec is at your side as a reliable partner to develop sustainable security solutions - tailored to your business models.
If you want to find out how secure your IT infrastructure really is, contact us today!
