Publication detail

Eavesdropping Vulnerabilities in Optical Fiber Networks: Investigating Macro-Bending-Based Attacks Using Clip-on Couplers

SPURNÝ, V. DEJDAR, P. TOMAŠOV, A. MÜNSTER, P. HORVÁTH, T.

Original Title

Eavesdropping Vulnerabilities in Optical Fiber Networks: Investigating Macro-Bending-Based Attacks Using Clip-on Couplers

Type

conference paper

Language

English

Original Abstract

Fiber optic cables have long been considered a secure medium that prevents eavesdropping due to their complexity. However, there are attack methods that allow eavesdropping or denial of service. These include methods based on bending optical fibers. The danger resides in the possibility of being able to carry out an attack without having to interrupt the path. To facilitate such attacks, it is possible to use a clip-on coupler. This coupler is designed to allow eavesdropping on the link without interruption. In this study, we focus on evaluating the coupling efficiency of a simple but commercially available clip-on coupler. This work investigates the effectiveness of jamming into the optical link, i.e., replicating the jamming attack and measuring it by simulating real traffic conditions. To better understand the complexity of these attacks, we perform additional measurements to investigate the effect of clip-on coupling on changes in the polarization state. Through this research, we highlight the increasing vulnerability of optical fibers to eavesdropping attempts, especially those using macro-based methods. By evaluating the performance of commercially available clip-on coupling, we provide valuable insights into potential risks and mitigation strategies for securing modern optical communication networks.

Keywords

Attenuation; Clip-on coupler; Detection; Fiber; Polarization; Security

Authors

SPURNÝ, V.; DEJDAR, P.; TOMAŠOV, A.; MÜNSTER, P.; HORVÁTH, T.

Released

28. 11. 2023

Publisher

IEEE

Location

Gent, Belgium

ISBN

979-8-3503-1936-1

Book

2023 International Workshop on Fiber Optics on Access Networks (FOAN)

Pages from

47

Pages to

51

Pages count

5

URL

https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10328134

BibTex

@inproceedings{BUT185611,
  author="Vladimír {Spurný} and Petr {Dejdar} and Adrián {Tomašov} and Petr {Münster} and Tomáš {Horváth}",
  title="Eavesdropping Vulnerabilities in Optical Fiber Networks: Investigating Macro-Bending-Based Attacks Using Clip-on Couplers",
  booktitle="2023 International Workshop on Fiber Optics on Access Networks (FOAN)",
  year="2023",
  pages="47--51",
  publisher="IEEE",
  address="Gent, Belgium",
  doi="10.1109/FOAN59927.2023.10328134",
  isbn="979-8-3503-1936-1",
  url="https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10328134"
}