DIY Wi-Fi Hacking: A Review of Popular WPS Utilities

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WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) is a protocol designed to simplify connecting to a wireless network. It was developed to make it easier for users to connect devices to Wi-Fi without having to enter a complex password. However, despite its convenience, WPS has a number of vulnerabilities that can be used by intruders to gain unauthorized access to the network. There are various utilities and programs that exploit these weaknesses. Here is an overview of the most well-known of them:

1. Reaver​

Reaver is one of the most well-known WPS exploitation utilities. It was developed to brute-force the WPS PIN, allowing attackers to gain access to the Wi-Fi password. Reaver uses an algorithm that helps reduce the number of combinations needed to guess the PIN by exploiting vulnerabilities in WPS.

• Open source.
• Supports most wireless adapters.
• Easy to use via command line.
• A mechanism for recovering from connection failures.

Disadvantages: Performance decreases on routers with a blocking feature after several unsuccessful attempts.

2. Bully​

Bully is a utility similar to Reaver, but with a number of additional features and improved support for various WPS exploitation scenarios. It was designed to be a more robust and reliable tool than Reaver.

• Support for various attack methods (e.g. brute-force, protocol attacks).
• Ability to work with problematic access points where Reaver may fail.
• Reducing the number of false positives.

Disadvantages: As with Reaver, performance may drop on routers with brute force protection.

3. PixieWPS​

PixieWPS is a tool that exploits a vulnerability known as Pixie Dust. Unlike Reaver and Bully, which use brute force, PixieWPS exploits a weakness in WPS PIN generation, allowing you to gain access to a Wi-Fi network in a short time.

• Does not require a large number of attempts to select a PIN code.
• Quick attack (may only take a few seconds).
• Integrates easily with other tools (eg Reaver).

Disadvantages: Works only on routers with a vulnerable PIN code generation algorithm. Effective only in certain operating scenarios.

4. Wifite​

Wifite is an automated wireless attack tool that includes modules for WPS, WPA, and WEP. It uses utilities such as Reaver and PixieWPS to automate the attack process.

• Support for multiple types of attacks on Wi-Fi networks.
• Ease of use - most processes are automated.
• Integration with multiple tools and their configuration capabilities.

Disadvantages: Automatic mode may miss important details that may be important for a successful attack. Requires preliminary configuration for maximum efficiency.

5. Airgeddon​

Airgeddon is another comprehensive wireless security testing tool. It also includes modules for exploiting WPS vulnerabilities. Like Wifite, Airgeddon automates processes and includes support for various attacks, including WPS attacks via Reaver and PixieWPS.

• Advanced capabilities for testing wireless networks.
• Supports various attacks including MITM (Man-in-the-Middle) and DoS.
• User-friendly interface and detailed documentation.

Disadvantages: Requires certain knowledge to use effectively. May be overloaded with functions that are not always needed for a specific task.

Conclusion​

WPS vulnerabilities make this protocol an attractive target for attackers. The above utilities allow exploiting WPS weaknesses, providing various attack approaches. However, it is worth remembering that using such tools without permission is illegal. The best way to protect yourself is to disable WPS on your router and use modern security methods, such as WPA3.