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How to Steal a Drone (Drone Hijacking) – From Myth to Reality: A Live Demonstration

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Talk overview:

Drones have revolutionized industries like surveillance, logistics, and emergency response, but they also pose significant cybersecurity risks. Many rely on wireless communication protocols that can be vulnerable to hijacking, jamming, or spoofing attacks, allowing hackers to take control or disrupt operations. Additionally, drones equipped with cameras or sensors can be exploited for unauthorized data collection, posing privacy and espionage threats. Malware and software vulnerabilities in drone firmware further increase risks, potentially leading to system takeovers or coordinated drone-based attacks. As drone usage grows, securing their communication channels, firmware, and data transmissions is crucial to preventing cyber threats.

This talk explores a newly discovered vulnerability in ExpressLRS (ELRS), an open-source, long-range radio link used in FPV drone systems. While ELRS is valued for its responsiveness and community-driven improvements, a recently identified bug could force drones into full throttle, leading to uncontrollable acceleration until the battery is depleted. We’ll examine the implications of this issue, its potential risks in critical environments, and ongoing discussions within the ELRS community to address the vulnerability.

Lê Phạm Thiên Hồng Ân, also known as Neo Theone, is a Vietnamese cybersecurity expert specializing in Internet of Things (IoT) security. He graduated among the top five students from the Academy of Cryptography Techniques in Vietnam and began his career at Viettel’s Cyber Security Center, focusing on software vulnerability assessments. Later, he joined VNPT Cyber Immunity as the Head of IoT Security Research, where he developed VNPT IoT Guard, a pioneering solution addressing IoT security challenges in Vietnam. Hồng Ân has been an active speaker at various cybersecurity conferences, including Security Bootcamp and TyphoonCon, sharing insights on IoT device exploitation and security measures.
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Neo Theone (Le Pham Thien Hong An)
Leader of IoT Pentest – VNPT Cyber Immunity
Lê Phạm Thiên Hồng Ân, also known as Neo Theone, is a Vietnamese cybersecurity expert specializing in Internet of Things (IoT) security. He graduated among the top five students from the Academy of Cryptography Techniques in Vietnam and began his career at Viettel's Cyber Security Center, focusing on software vulnerability assessments. Later, he joined VNPT Cyber Immunity as the Head of IoT Security Research, where he developed VNPT IoT Guard, a pioneering solution addressing IoT security challenges in Vietnam. Hồng Ân has been an active speaker at various cybersecurity conferences, including Security Bootcamp and TyphoonCon, sharing insights on IoT device exploitation and security measures.