The Flipper Zero is a portable multi-functional device developed for interaction with access control systems.[1] The device is able to read, copy, and emulate RFID and NFC tags, radio remotes, iButton, and digital access keys, along with a GPIO interface.[2] It was first announced in August 2020 through the Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign, which raised $4.8 million.[3] The first devices were delivered to backers 18 months after completion of the crowdfunding campaign. The device's user interface embodies a pixel-artdolphinvirtual pet. The interaction with the virtual pet is the device's core game mechanic. The usage of the device's functions defines the appearance and emotions of the pet.[4]
In the built-in game, the main mechanism to "upgrade" the dolphin is to use the various hacking tools. While harmless uses (like as a remote control for a television, or carbon dioxide sensor) exist, some of the built-in tools have potential criminal uses, including RFID skimming, Bluetooth spamming (spamming a Bluetooth connection, crashing a person's phone), and emulation of RFID chips such as those found in identification badges, using the built-in radio cloner to open garage doors, unlocking cars, and functioning as a wireless BadUSB.
Origin
The device was developed by Alex Kulagin and Pavel Zhovner in 2019.[5] They started raising funds on Kickstarter.[5]
Overview
Flipper Zero is designed for interaction with various types of access control systems, radio protocols, RFID, near-field communication (NFC), and infrared signals.[6][7] To operate the device, a computer or a smartphone is not required; it can be controlled via a 5-position D-pad and a separate back button. Flipper Zero has a monochrome orange backlight LCD screen with a resolution of 128x64 pixels. For connection with external modules, the device has general-purpose input/output (GPIO) pinholes on the top side. User data and firmware updates are stored on a Micro SD card. Some actions, such as firmware or user data update, require a connection to a computer or a smartphone with the developer's software installed.
In July 2023, an app store was opened for the device.[8]
Technical specification
The electronic schematics[9] and firmware[10] of the Flipper Zero project are open sourced under the GNU General Public License. At the same time, the device does not fit into the open-source hardware category because the printed circuit boards are not open-sourced, which does not allow enthusiasts to make their own copies of the device without knowledge of electrical engineering.
Hardware
Flipper Zero main board
Flipper Zero is based on a dual-core ARM architecture STM32WB55 microcontroller, which has 256 KB of RAM and 1 MB of Flash storage. The first core is a 64 MHz Cortex-M4 which runs the main firmware. The second core is a 32 MHz Cortex-M0 which runs STMicroelectronicsproprietary firmware that implements the Bluetooth Low Energy protocol. For radio transmitting and receiving in the 300–900 MHz radio frequency range, a Texas Instruments CC1101[11] chip is used, which supports amplitude-shift keying (ASK) and frequency-shift keying (FSK) modulations. Unlike software-defined radio, the CC1101 chip cannot capture raw radio signals. This limitation requires the user to pre-configure the modulation parameters before receiving a radio signal, otherwise the signal will be received incorrectly.
Hardware expansion
In February 2024 a video game module was released for the Flipper Zero by its makers.[12] The device allows the Flipper to be used as a game controller or connected to a TV and is based around the Raspberry Pi Pico.[12]
Firmware
Flipper Zero Firmware Architecture
The Flipper Zero firmware is based on the FreeRTOS operating system, with its own software abstraction over the hardware layer. The firmware is mostly written in the C programming language, with occasional use of C++ in third-party modules. The system uses multitasking in combination with an event-driven architecture to organize the interaction of applications and services executed in a single address space and communicating through a system of queues and events. The system can be executed from both random-access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM). Execution from RAM is used to deliver over-the-air (OTA) firmware updates.
The firmware consists of the following components:
FuriCore – provides an API for interaction with the scheduler and multithreading. FuriCore abstracts and extends the functionality of the FreeRTOS scheduler and adds additional system primitives.
FuriHal – provides an API for interaction with hardware.
Services and applications – the main functionality of the device. Sub-GHz, Infrared, RFID, NFC, etc are applications for user interaction. Graphical user interface (GUI), command-line interface (CLI), Notification, Storage, etc are additional APIs for applications development.
A set of libraries and drivers – covers various communication protocols, device drivers, file system drivers, and developer tools.
User and system data is stored in built-in flash memory, which is based on the LittleFS library. Interaction with the file system on the SD card is implemented using the FatFs library.
The build system is based on the SCons tool with additional tooling written in Python. For compilation, the system uses its own open toolchain based on GNU Compiler Collection.
Applications
Sub-GHz
Flipper Zero has a built-in module that can read, store, and emulate remote controls, allowing it to receive and send radio frequencies between 300 and 928 MHz. These switches, radio locks, wireless doorbells, remote controls, barriers, gates, smart lighting, and other devices can all be operated with these controls. Using Sub-GHz Flipper Zero can also receive and decode the data from many weather stations.[13]
125 kHz RFID
Flipper Zero is compatible with low-frequency (LF) radio frequency identification (RFID), which is used in supply chain tracking systems, animal chips, and access control systems. LF RFID cards typically don't offer high levels of security, in contrast to NFC cards. Numerous form factors of this technology are available, including plastic cards, key fobs, tags, wristbands, and animal microchips. A low-frequency RFID module in the Flipper Zero can read, save, simulate, and write LF RFID cards.[14]
NFC
NFC technology, which is used in smart cards for access control and cards, and digital business cards, is compatible with Flipper Zero. The 13.56 MHz NFC module has the ability to imitate, read, and store these cards. An NFC card is a transponder with a unique identification (UID), and rewritable memory for data storage. When placed close to a reader, NFC cards transmit the needed data.[15]
Infrared
Flipper Zero can read and transmit signals that use infrared light (IR) such as TVs, air conditioners, or audio devices. It can learn and save infrared remote controls or use its own Universal remotes.[16]
GPIO and Modules
Flipper Zero explores hardware, flash firmware, debugging, and fuzz. It is able to function as a USB converter for UART, SPI, or I2C. The built-in GPIO pins connect to hardware, operate by buttons, send out code, and display messages on the LCD screen.[17]
iButton
The Flipper Zero has an iButton connector to allow it to read and emulate iButton contact keys.[18]
BadUSB
BadUSB devices have the ability to alter system settings, unlock backdoors, recover data, launch reverse shells, and do any other physical access-based actions. Flipper Zero can function as a BadUSB and, when connected to an insecure computing device, acts as a keyboard-like Human interface device (HID). Commands (the payload) are injected and executed using DuckyScript (the macro scripting language developed as part of the 'USB Rubber Ducky' BadUSB project).[19][20]
U2F (Universal 2nd Factor)
Use the flipper as a second authentication factor for your Google account and others
Authenticator
Use the flipper as a time-based authentication code generator (same as authenticator app for mobile) [21]
HID controllers
Flipper Zero can replace certain HID (human interface device) controllers. This allows it to interact with your phone or computer. It can remotely control media players, computer keyboards or mouse, presentations, and more.[22]
Keynote: Presentations remote
Keyboard: Double as a keyboard for a computer
Media: Controls media on a computer, camera remote control for a phone
Mouse: Double as a mouse for a computer
TikTok Controller: Control TikTok app on a phone
Mouse Jiggler: Duplicate mouse movements on a computer to keep computer showing as active at all times
PTT : use the flipper as a PTT (push to talk) controller / wireless PTT remote
Bans, seizure, police bulletin and other incidents
On 7 April 2023, Amazon banned sales of the Flipper Zero via their site for being a "card skimming device".[24] Only WiFi development boards, screen protectors and cases are still available from the site after the ban. Since 20th of September 2022 the Flipper Zero is available again on amazon.com.[24]
Brazil seizures
In 2023 people in Brazil who ordered Flipper Zeros reported that their orders had been seized by Anatel.[25] According to the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Anatel has flagged the devices as being a tool for criminal purposes, making the certification process complicated.[25] Users have tried getting their devices certified, but to no avail.[25] The EFF has said that the seizures would limit the ability of Brazilian cybersecurity researchers to conduct research, as they have legitimate uses for the device.[25]
Police bulletin on Flipper Zero
In August 2023, The Daily Dot published an article on a bulletin for police officers published by the South Dakota Fusion Centre.[23] The document suggested that extremists might use the device to bypass access control systems controls, particularly on power stations.[23] The bulletin admitted there was no concrete evidence of plans by said extremists to use the device, though interest had been expressed on online forums.[23]
Flipper CEO Pavel Zhovner was shown a copy of the bulletin and said that the Flipper Zero had been deliberately designed to not affect modern access control systems.[23] He also pointed out that the bulletin itself said that gates at power stations were not inherently vulnerable to the device but that older gates might be.[23]
Gatwick seizure
On 27 September 2023 a security staff member at Gatwick Airport confiscated a Flipper Zero from Vitor Domingos due to security concerns.[26] The device was then handed over to Sussex Police.[26]
In September 2023 the ability to launch Bluetooth Low Energy spam attacks with a Flipper Zero was demonstrated by a security researcher known as 'Techryptic'.[27] A custom Flipper Zero firmware was developed shortly afterward that could launch spam attacks against Android devices and Microsoft Windows computers.[27] An Android app to launch BLE attacks was developed shortly afterwards.[27]
At the 2023 Midwest FurFest attendees reported severe disruption of Square payment readers and an insulin pump controller crashed due to the BLE spam.[27] A researcher known as Remy said to Bleeping Computer :"For BTLE enabled medical equipment, at minimum a disruption results in a degraded quality of life for those affected," adding "Some conditions may not be life threatening to have disruptions. Others may not be so lucky."[27]
As a result, a Python script was developed by the Wall of Flippers project for Linux and Windows to detect BLE spam attacks coming from Flipper and Android devices.[27][28]
Potential Canadian Ban
In February 2024, Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada announced that they had the intention of banning the Flipper Zero and other devices that could be used to clone wireless signals for remote entry in response to a significant increase in auto thefts.[29]
On 20 March 2024, ISED announced that it would ban the use of the Flipper for illegal acts, but not ban it outright.[30]
^Faife, Corin (16 August 2022). "The new USB Rubber Ducky is more dangerous than ever". The Verge. Vox Media. Retrieved 1 April 2024. The beloved hacker tool can now pwn you with its own programming language... It ships with a major upgrade to the DuckyScript programming language, which is used to create the commands that the Rubber Ducky will enter into a target machine.
