Security researchers in Germany cracked two encryption standards used for protecting satellite phone signals, giving the ability to eavesdrop on calls over an entire continent.
Researchers at Ruhr University Bochum in Germany cracked the encryption algorithms , known as GMR-1 and GMR-2, are standards used across satellite phone operators, including Thuraya, a leading providers. Their technology is widely used in the Middle East and Africa, including in some military applications.
"We were able to completely reverse engineer the encryption algorithms employed," The Daily Telegraph quoted Benedikt Driessen and Ralf Hund of the university as saying, "Don't Trust Satellite Phones".
According to the Telegraph report, the equipment and software needed to intercept and decrypt satellite phone calls from hundreds of thousands of users would cost as little as $2,000.
The demo takes up to half-an-hour to decipher a call, but a more powerful computer would allow eavesdropping in real time, Mr Driessen said.
The Ministry of Defence has said the crack of the A5-GMR-1 and A5-GMR-2 encryption algorithms will not affect military operations.
"All military users of mobile satellite communication systems are aware of the potential threats to such systems and are briefed explicitly that they are only authorised to pass unclassified information (both voice and data) over these systems," an MoD spokeswoman said in an email statement. "Protected information is never sent over an unclassified system, unless it is being employed in conjunction with an accredited secure device."
