RAGEMASTER: NSA Exploit of the Day
Today's item -- and this is the final item -- from the NSA's Tailored Access Operations (TAO) group
implant catalog:
RAGEMASTER
(TS//SI//REL TO USA,FVEY) RF retro-reflector that provides an
enhanced radar cross-section for VAGRANT collection. It's concealed in a
standard computer video graphics array (VGA) cable between the video
card and the video monitor. It's typically installed in the ferrite on
the video cable.
(U) Capabilities
(TS//SI//REL TO USA,FVEY) RAGEMASTER
provides a target for RF flooding and allows for easier collection of
the VAGRANT video signal. The current RAGEMASTER unit taps the red video
line on the VGA cable. It was found that, empirically, this provides
the best video return and cleanest readout of the monitor contents.
(U) Concept of Operation
(TS//SI//REL TO USA,FVEY) The
RAGEMASTER taps the red video line between the video card within the
desktop unit and the computer monitor, typically an LCD. When the
RAGEMASTER is illuminated by a radar unit, the illuminating signal is
modulated with the red video information. This information is
re-radiated, where it is picked up at the radar, demodulated, and passed
onto the processing unit, such as a LFS-2 and an external monitor,
NIGHTWATCH, GOTHAM, or (in the future) VIEWPLATE. The processor
recreates the horizontal and vertical sync of the targeted monitor, thus
allowing TAO personnel to see what is displayed on the targeted
monitor.
Unit Cost: $30
Status: Operational. Manufactured on an as-needed basis. Contact POC for availability information.
Page, with graphics, is
here. General information about TAO and the catalog is
here.
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