ANT catalog

The ANT catalog[lower-alpha 1] (or TAO catalog) is a classified product catalog by the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) of which the version written in 2008–2009 was published by German news magazine Der Spiegel in December 2013. Forty-nine catalog pages[lower-alpha 2] with pictures, diagrams and descriptions of espionage devices and spying software were published. The items are available to the Tailored Access Operations unit and are mostly targeted at products from US companies such as Apple, Cisco and Dell. The source is believed to be someone different than Edward Snowden, who is largely responsible for the global surveillance disclosures since 2013. Companies whose products could be compromised have denied any collaboration with the NSA in developing these capabilities. In 2014, a project was started to implement the capabilities from the ANT catalog as open-source hardware and software.

ANT catalog

Seal of the NSA/CSS, used on all the catalog pages
Descriptionclassified ANT product catalog for the Tailored Access Operations unit
Original authorNational Security Agency
Number of pages49
Date of catalog sheets2008–2009
PublisherDer Spiegel
Authors of publicationJacob Appelbaum, Christian Stöcker and Judith Horchert
Date of publication30 December 2013
Year of intended declassification2032

National Security Agency surveillance
Map of global NSA data collection as of 2007, with countries subject to the most data collection shown in red
Programs
Pre-1978
Since 1978
Since 1990
Since 1998
Since 2001
Since 2007
Databases, tools etc.
GCHQ collaboration
Legislation
Institutions
Lawsuits
Whistleblowers
Publication
Related
Concepts
Collaboration
United States
Five Eyes
Other

Background

The Tailored Access Operations unit has existed since the late 90s. Its mission is to collect intelligence on foreign targets of the United States by hacking into computers and telecommunication networks.[3] It has been speculated for years before that capabilities like those in the ANT catalog existed.[1]

In 2012, Edward Snowden organized a CryptoParty together with Runa Sandvik, a former colleague of Jacob Appelbaum at The Tor Project. In June 2013, Snowden took internal NSA documents which he shared with Glenn Greenwald and Laura Poitras, resulting in the global surveillance disclosures.[4]

Publication

Jacob Appelbaum co-authored the English publication in Der Spiegel with Christian Stöcker and Judith Horchert, which was publicized on 29 December 2013.[1] The related English publication on the same day about the TAO by Der Spiegel was also authored by the same people, and including Laura Poitras, Marcel Rosenbach, Jörg Schindler and Holger Stark.[5] On December 30, Appelbaum gave a lecture about "the militarization of the Internet" at the 30th Chaos Communication Congress in Hamburg, Germany.[6] At the end of his talk, he encouraged NSA employees to leak more documents.[7]

Apple denied the allegations that it collaborated on the development of DROPOUTJEEP in a statement to journalist Arik Hesseldahl from All Things Digital (part of the Wall Street Journal's Digital Network).[8] The Verge questioned how the program developed in later years, since the document was composed in the early period of the iPhone and smartphones in general.[9] Dell denied collaborating with any government in general, including the US government. John Stewart, senior vice president and chief security officer of Cisco stated that they were "deeply concerned and will continue to pursue all avenues to determine if we need to address any new issues." Juniper stated that they were working actively to address any possible exploit paths. Huawei stated they would take appropriate audits to determine if any compromise had taken place and would communicate if that had taken place. NSA declined to comment on the publication by Der Spiegel.[10]

Bruce Schneier wrote about the tools on his blog in a series titled "NSA Exploit of the Week". He stated that because of this, his website got blocked by the Department of Defense.[11]

Source

The source who leaked the ANT catalog to Der Spiegel is unknown as of 2023.

Officials at the NSA did not believe that the web crawler used by Snowden touched the ANT catalog and started looking for other people who could have leaked the catalog.[12]

Author James Bamford, who is specialized in the United States intelligence agencies, noted in a 2016 commentary article that Appelbaum has not identified the source who leaked the ANT catalog to him, which led people to mistakenly assume it was Edward Snowden. Bamford got unrestricted access to the documents cache from Edward Snowden and could not find any references to the ANT catalog using automated search tools, thereby concluding that the documents were not leaked by him.[13] Security expert Bruce Schneier has stated on his blog that he also believes the ANT catalog did not come from Snowden, but from a second leaker.[14]

Content

The published catalog pages were written between 2008 and 2009. The price of the items ranged from free up to $250,000.

Capabilities in the ANT catalog
Page Code name Description[15] Unit price in US$[lower-alpha 3]
CANDYGRAMTripwire device that emulates a GSM cellphone tower.40,000
COTTONMOUTH-IFamily of modified USB and Ethernet connectors that can be used to install Trojan horse software and work as wireless bridges, providing covert remote access to the target machine. COTTONMOUTH-I is a USB plug that uses TRINITY as digital core and HOWLERMONKEY as RF transceiver.20,300
COTTONMOUTH-IICan be deployed in a USB socket (rather than plug), and, but requires further integration in the target machine to turn into a deployed system.4,000
COTTONMOUTH-IIIStacked Ethernet and USB plug24,960
CROSSBEAMGSM communications module capable of collecting and compressing voice data4,000
CTX4000Continuous wave radar device that can "illuminate" a target system for recovery of "off net" information.N/A
CYCLONE-HX9GSM Base Station Router as a Network-In-a-Box70,000[lower-alpha 4]
DEITYBOUNCETechnology that installs a backdoor software implant on Dell PowerEdge servers via the motherboard BIOS and RAID controller(s).0
DROPOUTJEEP"A software implant for the Apple iPhone that utilizes modular mission applications to provide specific SIGINT functionality. This functionality includes the ability to remotely push/pull files from the device. SMS retrieval, contact list retrieval, voicemail, geolocation, hot mic, camera capture, cell tower location, etc. Command, control and data exfiltration can occur over SMS messaging or a GPRS data connection. All communications with the implant will be covert and encrypted."0
EBSRTri-band active GSM base station with internal 802.11/GPS/handset capability40,000
ENTOURAGEDirection finding application for GSM, UMTS, CDMA2000 and FRS signals70,000
FEEDTROUGHSoftware that can penetrate Juniper Networks firewalls allowing other NSA-deployed software to be installed on mainframe computers.N/A
FIREWALKDevice that looks identical to a standard RJ45 socket that allows data to be injected, or monitored and transmitted via radio technology. using the HOWLERMONKEY RF transceiver. It can for instance create a VPN to the target computer.10,740
GENESISGSM handset with added software-defined radio features to record the radio frequency spectrum15,000
GODSURGESoftware implant for a JTAG bus device named FLUXBABBITT which is added to Dell PowerEdge servers during interdiction. GODSURGE installs an implant upon system boot-up using the FLUXBABBITT JTAG interface to the Xeon series CPU.500[lower-alpha 5]
GINSUTechnology that uses a PCI bus device in a computer, and can reinstall itself upon system boot-up.0
GOPHERSETGSM software that uses a phone's SIM card's API (SIM Toolkit or STK) to control the phone through remotely sent commands.0
GOURMETTROUGHUser-configurable persistence implant for certain Juniper Networks firewalls.0
HALLUXWATERBack door exploit for Huawei Eudemon firewalls.N/A
HEADWATERPersistent backdoor technology that can install spyware using a quantum insert capable of infecting spyware at a packet level on Huawei routers.N/A
HOWLERMONKEYA RF transceiver that makes it possible (in conjunction with digital processors and various implanting methods) to extract data from systems or allow them to be controlled remotely.750[lower-alpha 6]
IRATEMONKTechnology that can infiltrate the firmware of hard drives manufactured by Maxtor, Samsung, Seagate, and Western Digital.0
IRONCHEFTechnology that can "infect" networks by installing itself in a computer I/O BIOS. IRONCHEF includes also "Straitbizarre" and "Unitedrake" which have been linked to the spy software REGIN.[16]0
JUNIORMINTImplant based on an ARM9 core and an FPGA.N/A
JETPLOWFirmware that can be implanted to create a permanent backdoor in a Cisco PIX series and ASA firewalls.0
LOUDAUTOAudio-based RF retro-reflector listening device.30
MAESTRO-IIMulti-chip module approximately the size of a dime that serves as the hardware core of several other products. The module contains a 66 MHz ARM7 processor, 4 MB of flash, 8 MB of RAM, and a FPGA with 500,000 gates. It replaces the previous generation modules which were based on the HC12 microcontroller.3,000[lower-alpha 7]
MONKEYCALENDARSoftware that transmits a mobile phone's location by hidden text message.0
NEBULAMulti-protocol network-in-a-box system.250,000
NIGHTSTANDPortable system that installs Microsoft Windows exploits from a distance of up to eight miles over a wireless connection.N/A[lower-alpha 8]
NIGHTWATCHPortable computer used to reconstruct and display video data from VAGRANT signals; used in conjunction with a radar source like the CTX4000 to illuminate the target in order to receive data from it.N/A
PICASSOSoftware that can collect mobile phone location data, call metadata, access the phone's microphone to eavesdrop on nearby conversations.2,000
PHOTOANGLOA joint NSA/GCHQ project to develop a radar system to replace CTX4000.40,000
RAGEMASTERA concealed device that taps the video signal from a target's computer's VGA signal output so the NSA can see what is on a targeted desktop monitor. It is powered by a remote radar and responds by modulating the VGA red signal (which is also sent out most DVI ports) into the RF signal it re-radiates; this method of transmission is codenamed VAGRANT. RAGEMASTER is usually installed/concealed in the ferrite choke of the target cable. The original documents are dated 2008-07-24. Several receiver/demodulating devices are available, e.g. NIGHTWATCH.30
SCHOOLMONTANASoftware that makes DNT[lower-alpha 9] implants persistent on JUNOS-based (FreeBSD-variant) J-series routers/firewalls.N/A
SIERRAMONTANASoftware that makes DNT implants persistent on JUNOS-based M-series routers/firewalls.N/A
STUCCOMONTANASoftware that makes DNT implants persistent on JUNOS-based T-series routers/firewalls.N/A
SOMBERKNAVESoftware that can be implanted on a Windows XP system allowing it to be remotely controlled from NSA headquarters.50,000
SOUFFLETROUGHBIOS injection software that can compromise Juniper Networks SSG300 and SSG500 series firewalls.0
SPARROW IIA small computer intended to be used for WLAN collection, including from UAVs. Hardware: IBM Power PC 405GPR processor, 64 MB SDRAM, 16 MB of built-inflash, 4 mini PCI slots, CompactFlash slot, and 802.11 B/G hardware. Running Linux 2.4 and the BLINDDATE software suite. Unit price (2008): $6K.6,000
SURLYSPAWNKeystroke monitor technology that can be used on remote computers that are not internet connected.30
SWAPTechnology that can reflash the BIOS of multiprocessor systems that run FreeBSD, Linux, Solaris, or Windows.0
TAWDRYYARDRadio frequency retroreflector to provide location information.30
TOTECHASERWindows CE implant for extracting call logs, contact lists and other information.N/A
TOTEGHOSTLYSoftware that can be implanted on a Windows mobile phone allowing full remote control.0
TRINITYMulti-chip module using a 180 MHz ARM9 processor, 4 MB of flash, 96 MB of SDRAM, and a FPGA with 1 million gates. Smaller than a penny.6,250[lower-alpha 10]
TYPHON HXNetwork-in-a-box for a GSM network with signaling and call control.N/A
WATERWITCHA portable "finishing tool" that allows the operator to find the precise location of a nearby mobile phone.N/A
WISTFULTOLLPlugin for collecting information from targets using Windows Management Instrumentation0

Follow-up developments

Security expert Matt Suiche noted that the software exploits leaked by the Shadow Brokers could be seen as genuine because it matched with names from the ANT catalog.[17] John Bumgarner has stated to IEEE Spectrum that US government suspicion of Huawei is based on its own ability to add backdoors as shown in the ANT catalog.[18]

NSA Playset

The NSA Playset is an open-source project inspired by the NSA ANT catalog to create more accessible and easy to use tools for security researchers.[19] Most of the surveillance tools can be recreated with off-the-shelf or open-source hardware and software. Thus far, the NSA Playset consists of fourteen items, for which the code and instructions can be found online on the project's homepage. After the initial leak, Michael Ossman, the founder of Great Scott Gadgets, gave a shout out to other security researchers to start working on the tools mentioned in the catalog and to recreate them. The name NSA Playset came originally from Dean Pierce, who is also a contributor (TWILIGHTVEGETABLE(GSM)) to the NSA Playset. Anyone is invited to join and contribute their own device. The requisites for an addition to the NSA Playset is a similar or already existing NSA ANT project, ease of use and a silly name (based on the original tool's name if possible). The silly name requisite is a rule that Michael Ossman himself came up with and an example is given on the project's website: "For example, if your project is similar to FOXACID, maybe you could call it COYOTEMETH." The ease of use part stems also from the NSA Playset's motto: "If a 10 year old can't do it, it doesn't count!"[19][20][21][22]

Name[23] Description[22]
TWILIGHTVEGETABLEa boot image for GSM communication monitoring.
LEVITICUSa hand held GSM frequency analyzer disguised as a Motorola phone; named after GENESIS.
DRIZZLECHAIRa hard drive with all the needed tools to crack A5/1 including the rainbow tables.
PORCUPINEMASQUERADEa passive Wi-Fi reconnaissance drone.
KEYSWEEPERa keylogger in form of a USB wall charger, that wirelessly and passively sniffs, decrypts, logs and reports back (over GSM).
SLOTSCREAMERa PCI hardware implant, which can access memory and IO.
ADAPTERNOODLEa USB exploitation device.
CHUKWAGONuses a pin on a computer's VGA port to attack via the I²C bus accessing the computer's operating system.
TURNIPSCHOOLa hardware implant concealed in a USB cable which provides short range radio frequency communication capability to software running on the host computer.
BLINKERCOUGHa hardware implant that is embedded in a VGA cable which allows data exfiltration.
SAVIORBURSTa hardware implant exploiting the JTAG interface for software application persistence; named after GODSURGE. FLUXBABBIT is replaced by SOLDERPEEK.
CACTUSTUTUPortable system that enables wireless installation of Microsoft Windows exploits; covers NIGHTSTAND.
TINYALAMOsoftware that targets BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) and allows keystroke surveillance (keylogger) and injection.
CONGAFLOCKRadio frequency retroreflector intended for experimentation. Intended use would be the implantation into a cable and data exfiltration based on radio reflectivity of the device.(FLAMENCOFLOCK (PS/2), TANGOFLOCK (USB), SALSAFLOCK (VGA) are retroreflectors with specific interfaces to test data exfiltration.)

See also

Explanatory notes
  1. Whether ANT stands for Advanced Network Technology or Access Network Technology is not known.[1]
  2. The article from Der Spiegel notes that it is a "50-page document" and that "nearly 50 pages" are published. The gallery contains 49 pages. Der Spiegel also noted that the document is likely far from complete.[2]
  3. If the price is listed in bulk, a calculation is made to get the unit price
  4. For two months
  5. Including installation costs
  6. When ordering 25 units, the price per item is US$1000
  7. Up to 4,000
  8. Varies from platform to platform
  9. Data Network Technologies, a division of the Tailored Access Operations
  10. 100 units for 625,000

References
  1. Appelbaum, Jacob; Horchert, Judith; Stöcker, Christian (2013-12-29). "Catalog Advertises NSA Toolbox". Der Spiegel. ISSN 2195-1349. Archived from the original on 2014-01-04. Retrieved 2021-12-21.
  2. Appelbaum, Jacob (2013-12-30). "Unit Offers Spy Gadgets for Every Need". Der Spiegel. ISSN 2195-1349. Archived from the original on 2022-04-11. Retrieved 2022-04-11.
  3. Aid, Matthew M. "Inside the NSA's Ultra-Secret China Hacking Group". Foreign Policy. Archived from the original on 2022-02-12. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
  4. Kelley, Michael B. "We Now Know A Lot More About Edward Snowden's Epic Heist — And It's Troubling". Business Insider. Archived from the original on 2022-04-06. Retrieved 2022-04-06.
  5. "Documents Reveal Top NSA Hacking Unit". Der Spiegel. 2013-12-29. ISSN 2195-1349. Archived from the original on 2019-02-06. Retrieved 2022-02-09.
  6. "Vortrag: To Protect And Infect, Part 2 - The militarization of the Internet". ccc.de. Archived from the original on 2021-11-02. Retrieved 2021-12-18.
  7. Storm, Darlene (3 January 2014). "17 exploits the NSA uses to hack PCs, routers and servers for surveillance". Computerworld. Archived from the original on 2021-12-18. Retrieved 2021-12-18.
  8. Hesseldahl, Arik. "Apple Denies Working with NSA on iPhone Backdoor". AllThingsD. Archived from the original on 2022-02-24. Retrieved 2021-12-18.
  9. Robertson, Adi (2013-12-31). "Apple denies any knowledge of NSA's iPhone surveillance implant". The Verge. Archived from the original on 2021-12-18. Retrieved 2021-12-18.
  10. Bent, Kristin; Spring, Tom (2013-12-30). "Dell, Cisco 'Deeply Concerned' Over NSA Backdoor Exploit Allegations". CRN. Archived from the original on 2022-04-07. Retrieved 2022-04-08.
  11. Farrell, Stephen. "Reflections on Ten Years Past The Snowden Revelations". Internet Engineering Task Force. Retrieved 2023-06-02.
  12. Sanger, David E. (2018). The perfect weapon: war, sabotage, and fear in the cyber age (1st ed.). New York: Crown Publishing Group. p. 74. ISBN 978-0-451-49789-5. OCLC 1039082430.
  13. Bamford, James (2016-08-22). "Commentary: Evidence points to another Snowden at the NSA". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2022-02-24. Retrieved 2022-02-09.
  14. Pasick, Adam (4 July 2014). "The NSA may have another leaker on its hands". Quartz. Archived from the original on 23 October 2014. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  15. "Interactive Graphic: The NSA's Spy Catalog". Der Spiegel. 2013-12-30. Archived from the original on 2014-01-02. Retrieved 2022-04-07.
  16. Stöcker, Christian; Rosenbach, Marcel (25 November 2014). "Trojaner Regin ist ein Werkzeug von NSA und GCHQ". Spiegel Online (in German). Archived from the original on 28 November 2014. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  17. Hackett, Robert. "Hackers Have Allegedly Stolen NSA-Linked 'Cyber Weapons' and Are Auctioning Them Off". Fortune. Archived from the original on 2021-12-18. Retrieved 2021-12-18.
  18. Hsu, Jeremy (2014-03-26). "U.S. Suspicions of China's Huawei Based Partly on NSA's Own Spy Tricks". IEEE Spectrum. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 2021-12-21.
  19. Lucy Teitler (November 17, 2014). "Let's Play NSA! The Hackers Open-Sourcing Top Secret Spy Tools". Vice Motherboard. Archived from the original on February 25, 2017. Retrieved June 14, 2017.
  20. Violet Blue (June 11, 2014). "NSA Playset invites hackers to 'play along with the NSA'". ZDNet. Archived from the original on June 19, 2017. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
  21. Michael Ossmann (July 31, 2014). "The NSA Playset". Mossman's blog. Archived from the original on December 28, 2017. Retrieved June 14, 2017.
  22. Sean Gallagher (August 11, 2015). "The NSA Playset: Espionage tools for the rest of us". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on September 22, 2017. Retrieved June 14, 2017.
  23. "NSA Playset homepage". www.nsaplayset.org.

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