Keystroke injection attack with O.MG cable? Check how it works

Keystroke injection attacks are becoming more and more common. One of the most powerful tools in the hands of cybercriminals is the O.MG cable, which resembles a standard USB cable, but in reality hides dangerous possibilities. Check how it all happens and what about the legality of using the O.MG cable?

How does O.MG cable work?

Before we move on to a brief discussion of the keystroke injection attack , it is worth describing how the cable itself works. The O.MG cable may look like a regular USB cable, but unlike a regular cable, it is equipped with a small computer (microcontroller) and wireless connectivity. This means that it can perform complex operations, such as entering data into the computer it is connected to. It uses a microprocessor to manage its functions and remotely trigger attacks, which makes it an extremely dangerous tool. It also has, among other things, a self-destruct mechanism , which allows it to "destroy itself" in the event of any problems. As a result, it becomes an innocent, standard cable. Importantly, this state can be restored using a special programmer, which gives users the certainty of full control over the device. One of the important features of the O.MG is also the ability to wirelessly trigger charges, which means that the attack can be launched at any time, without the need for physical access to the device. This functionality makes attacks even more discreet and harder to identify. Interestingly, the ANT (Advanced Network Technology) catalog, a collection of documentation and information on advanced network technologies, mentions a cable of this type. It is Cottonmouth-I, which, however, cost about $20,000!

Keystroke injection

A keystroke injection attack involves entering data into a system by imitating the operation of a keyboard, so cybercriminals can use modified USB devices, such as the aforementioned O.MG cable, to do this. When connected to a computer, this cable can send programmed commands that act as keystrokes, allowing the introduction of malware or the theft of personal data . One of the important aspects of a keystroke injection attack using the O.MG cable is its undetectable nature. This cable is not visible to typical security systems, such as antivirus software or firewalls, making it difficult to identify during operation. This allows cybercriminals to carry out attacks without arousing suspicion, and victims may be completely unaware that their systems are being attacked. When the O.MG cable is connected, it remains in passive mode, which means that it works like a regular charging or data transfer cable. However, when activated – for example, via a wireless connection – a programmed payload is turned on, which can perform a variety of actions. The user of the cable has the ability to tailor these charges to a specific target, making the attack very precise and targeted.

Are O.MG cables illegal?

The use of O.MG cables and similar hacking devices or gadgets sometimes raises many doubts, because on the one hand, they can be used for legitimate purposes, such as penetration tests that help identify security holes in systems. On the other hand, in the hands of cybercriminals, they become a tool for committing crimes. The issue of the legality of O.MG cables in Poland (and in the European Union in general) is complicated and depends on the context of its use . Using it for educational and research purposes (as long as it does not violate information security or privacy regulations) is legal.