Russia’s intelligence services are reportedly using custom malware to hack Android devices and access data from the Starlink satellite system, according to a report by Ukraine’s Security Service. This development is part of a growing concern over Starlink’s dominance in the satellite internet market.
The report accuses Russia’s military intelligence agency (GRU) of carrying out large-scale cyber attacks to gain unauthorized access to Android devices belonging to Ukrainian military personnel. It identified at least ten different types of malware, including one specifically designed to gather data from the Starlink satellite system.
Starlink, operated by SpaceX, is a satellite internet constellation that provides high-speed internet access to underserved and remote areas worldwide. It has played a crucial role in Ukraine’s communications network following Russia’s invasion in February 2022, as thousands of satellite terminals were deployed to replace destroyed internet infrastructure.
Despite its importance, concerns have been raised about Starlink’s monopolistic control of the global satellite internet market. Specific steps have reportedly been taken by SpaceX to prevent Ukraine from using Starlink for military purposes. However, Ukraine’s officials argue for their right to self-defense and accuse SpaceX of failing to recognize that right.
During the war, there have been multiple instances of Starlink communications being restricted, impeding Ukraine’s military operations, including the use of drones. It remains unclear whether these disruptions were caused by SpaceX restrictions or Russian electronic warfare systems.
Another concern revolves around the dependence on Starlink and the stance of SpaceX’s CEO, Elon Musk. Musk has previously expressed controversial opinions related to the conflict in Ukraine and has been accused of being too pro-Kremlin. His proposals for peace were met with criticism from Ukraine and its allies, who saw them as equivalent to surrender.
The New York Times reported that diplomats from multiple countries have expressed concerns about Starlink’s control over satellite internet. Lack of regulation and oversight, as well as dependency on Elon Musk’s decisions, have raised worries among experts.
Furthermore, the threat of hackers using malware to remotely access Starlink data adds to the concerns surrounding the dominance of the satellite communication system. Security researchers have previously demonstrated hardware vulnerabilities in Starlink’s ground-based terminals that could be exploited for unauthorized access.
In response, Starlink has released public updates and operates a “Bug Bounty” program to reward security researchers for discovering vulnerabilities. However, some vulnerabilities may require the company to develop new versions of its satellite terminals’ main chips.
The ongoing developments highlight the challenges and risks associated with the increasing reliance on Starlink for global satellite internet access.
