arXiv subjects

Syed Khandker

Publications and source records attributed to Syed Khandker.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

A Queryable Graph-Based Security Analysis Framework for O-RAN

The Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) replaces vendor-locked RANs with a modular and interoperable architecture that fosters competition and accelerates innovation. With this openness comes increased complexity and a larger attack surface, making security a critical concern. Today, assessing O-RAN security requires manually cross-referencing dozens of specifications, vendor whitepapers, and academic studies, which is error-prone and static. In this paper, we present a graph-based framework that transforms this static corpus into a single, queryable database. Our graph representation contains over 350 nodes and more than 1,250 relationships, distilled from specifications, academic papers, open-source projects, and vulnerability databases. To keep this resource current, we integrate a hybrid data extraction pipeline that couples deterministic parsing of structured specifications with Large Language Model (LLM)-assisted extraction for evolving specifications and unstructured literature. Querying the graph reveals three actionable findings within our curated corpus: critical infrastructure such as the O-DU, SMO, and O-Cloud carries dozens of specification-level threats yet has little or no empirical coverage; memory-safety weaknesses account for 11 of the 21 CWE occurrences associated with the analyzed CVEs; and fuzzing uncovered 18 of the 20 CVEs attributed to research papers. We provide the database, pipeline, and queries as open-source artifacts.

cs.CR↗

arXiv2023

Towards a Unified Cybersecurity Testing Lab for Satellite, Aerospace, Avionics, Maritime, Drone (SAAMD) technologies and communications

Aviation, maritime, and aerospace traffic control, radar, communication, and software technologies received increasing attention in the research literature over the past decade, as software-defined radios have enabled practical wireless attacks on communication links previously thought to be unreachable by unskilled or low-budget attackers. Moreover, recently it became apparent that both offensive and defensive cybersecurity has become a strategically differentiating factor for such technologies on the war fields (e.g., Ukraine), affecting both civilian and military missions regardless of their involvement. However, attacks and countermeasures are usually studied in simulated settings, thus introducing the lack of realism or non-systematic and highly customized practical setups, thus introducing high costs, overheads, and less reproducibility. Our "Unified Cybersecurity Testing Lab" seeks to close this gap by building a laboratory that can provide a systematic, affordable, highly-flexible, and extensible setup. In this paper, we introduce and motivate our "Unified Cybersecurity Testing Lab for Satellite, Aerospace, Avionics, Maritime, Drone (SAAMD)" technologies and communications, as well as some peer-reviewed results and evaluation of the targeted threat vectors. We show via referenced peer-reviewed works that the current modules of the lab were successfully used to realistically attack and analyze air-traffic control, radar, communication, and software technologies such as ADS-B, AIS, ACARS, EFB, EPIRB and COSPAS-SARSAT. We are currently developing and integrating support for additional technologies (e.g., CCSDS, FLARM), and we plan future extensions on our own as well as in collaboration with research and industry. Our "Unified Cybersecurity Testing Lab" is open for use, experimentation, and collaboration with other researchers, contributors and interested parties.

cs.CR↗

arXiv2023

Cybersecurity of COSPAS-SARSAT and EPIRB: threat and attacker models, exploits, future research

COSPAS-SARSAT is an International programme for "Search and Rescue" (SAR) missions based on the "Satellite Aided Tracking" system (SARSAT). It is designed to provide accurate, timely, and reliable distress alert and location data to help SAR authorities of participating countries to assist persons and vessels in distress. Two types of satellite constellations serve COSPAS-SARSAT, low earth orbit search and rescue (LEOSAR) and geostationary orbiting search and rescue (GEOSAR). Despite its nearly-global deployment and critical importance, unfortunately enough, we found that COSPAS-SARSAT protocols and standard 406 MHz transmissions lack essential means of cybersecurity. In this paper, we investigate the cybersecurity aspects of COSPAS-SARSAT space-/satellite-based systems. In particular, we practically and successfully implement and demonstrate the first (to our knowledge) attacks on COSPAS-SARSAT 406 MHz protocols, namely replay, spoofing, and protocol fuzzing on EPIRB protocols. We also identify a set of core research challenges preventing more effective cybersecurity research in the field and outline the main cybersecurity weaknesses and possible mitigations to increase the system's cybersecurity level.

cs.CR↗

arXiv2023

dump1030: open-source plug-and-play demodulator/decoder for 1030MHz uplink

Automatic Dependent Surveillance (ADS), Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B), Secondary Surveillance Radars (SSR), and Mode S are key air surveillance technologies representing a critical component of next-generation air transportation systems. However, compared to 1090MHz demodulators and decoders, which have plenty of implementations, the 1030MHz uplink receivers are, in general, scarcely, if at all, represented. In this paper, we present the development and evaluation of dump1030 - cross-platform plug-and-play open-source implementation for decoding 1030MHz uplink Mode A/C/S interrogations. We demonstrate and detail an agile development process of building dump1030 by adapting a state-of-the-art dump1090 design and implementation. In our repeated experiments, dump1030 achieves a high detection accuracy of 1030MHz interrogation signals based on lab evaluation using synthetically-generated interrogation signals. We also discuss a handful of practical use cases where dump1030 can find immediate application and implementation, both in research and industrial settings.

cs.SE↗