Fix BadUSB Attacks

TL;DR

BadUSB attacks reprogram your USB device to act like a keyboard or network adapter, potentially taking control of your computer. This guide shows you how to detect and mitigate these threats.

Detecting BadUSB Devices

1. Visually Inspect the Device: Look for physical tampering. A modified USB device might have unusual markings or openings.
2. Check Device Manager (Windows):
   • Press Win + X and select ‘Device Manager’.
   • Look for unknown devices, especially those with yellow exclamation marks.
   • Expand ‘Human Interface Devices’ and ‘Network adapters’ to check for suspicious entries.
3. Use USB Device Tree Viewer (Windows): This tool provides detailed information about connected USB devices.
   • Download from USBView.
   • Run the application as administrator.
   • Examine the device descriptors for inconsistencies or unexpected manufacturer/product IDs.
4. Scan with Anti-Malware Software: Run a full system scan with up-to-date anti-malware software. Some solutions can detect BadUSB payloads.

Mitigating BadUSB Attacks

1. Disable Autorun (Windows): This prevents malicious scripts from automatically running when a USB device is connected.
   • Open ‘Control Panel’ and search for ‘AutoPlay’.
   • Uncheck ‘Use AutoPlay for all media and devices’.
   • Alternatively, disable autorun specifically for removable drives via Group Policy (gpedit.msc) under Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > AutoPlay Policies.
2. Restrict USB Access: Control which USB devices are allowed to connect to your computer.
   • Group Policy (Windows Pro/Enterprise): Configure USB storage access policies under Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Removable Storage Access. You can deny execute access or completely disable all removable storage.
   • Third-Party Software: Use software that allows you to whitelist specific USB devices based on their VID (Vendor ID) and PID (Product ID).
3. Keep Your System Updated: Regularly update your operating system and security software to patch vulnerabilities.
4. Be Careful with Unknown Devices: Avoid connecting USB devices from untrusted sources. Always scan them before use.
5. Firmware Updates (If Available): If the USB device manufacturer provides firmware updates, install them to address potential security flaws.
6. BIOS/UEFI Settings: Some BIOS/UEFI settings allow you to disable USB boot or restrict USB access at a hardware level. Check your motherboard documentation for details.

Advanced Detection (Linux)

1. lsusb command: Use the lsusb command in the terminal to list connected USB devices and their IDs.

   lsusb

   Compare the output with known good device information.

2. dmesg command: Check the kernel message buffer for suspicious activity related to USB devices.

   dmesg | grep usb