Attack Modes

An attack mode is the device type that a USB hotplug attack tool, like the USB Rubber Ducky, is functioning as. The original USB Rubber Ducky had only one mode: HID — functioning as a keyboard.

With the introduction of the Bash Bunny, a multi-vector attack tool, the ATTACKMODE command was introduced to the DuckyScript language to manage multiple device functions.

Modes of Attack

The new USB Rubber Ducky supports three attack modes — HID, STORAGE, and OFF.

ATTACKMODE
Description

HID

HID – Human Interface Device. Emulates a Keyboard for Keystroke Injection.

STORAGE

MSC – USB Mass Storage Emulates a Flash Drive for working with files.

OFF

Disables device enumeration by the target.

HID

The HID attack mode functions as a Human Interface Device (a keyboard) for keystroke injection.

STORAGE

The STORAGE attack mode functions as USB Mass Storage (a Flash Drive). This may be used for copying files to or from a target — often referred to as infiltration or exfiltration. In the STORAGE attack mode, the MicroSD card connected to the USB Rubber Ducky will be exposed to the target.

OFF

The OFF attack mode prevents the USB Rubber Ducky from being enumerated (seen) by the target as a connected device all together.

ATTACKMODE

The ATTACKMODE command accepts multiple parameters which describe how the device will be enumerated by the target. At a minimum, a mode (HID, STORAGE or OFF) must be specified.

The ATTACKMODE command consists of these parts

  • The ATTACKMODE keyword

  • The mode, or modes

    • HID or STORAGE or HID STORAGE or OFF

  • Optionally a VID and PID

  • Optionally a MAN, PROD and SERIAL

Example

ATTACKMODE STORAGE
REM The USB Rubber Ducky will function as a "flash drive"

Result

  • As the comment suggests, the USB Rubber Ducky will be recognized by the target as a benign USB flash drive.

Example

ATTACKMODE HID
REM The USB Rubber Ducky will function as a "keyboard"

Result

  • As the comment suggests, the USB Rubber Ducky will be recognized by the target as a USB Human Interface Device (HID) "keyboard".

Example

ATTACKMODE OFF
REM The USB Rubber Ducky will not be enumerated by the target

Result

  • As the comment suggests, the USB Rubber Ducky will not be recognized by the target.

Default Behaviors

If no ATTACKMODE command is specified as the first command (excluding REM), the new USB Rubber Ducky will default to the original standard HID mode and function as a keyboard.

Duplicate or redundant ATTACKMODE commands will be ignored. For example, if the ATTACKMODE is currently STORAGE and a new ATTACKMODE STORAGE command is specified, it will be ignored and the USB Rubber Ducky will not be re-enumerated by the target.

If no BUTTON_DEF is implemented, pressing the button will execute ATTACKMODE STORAGE — switching the USB Rubber Ducky into a flash drive.

If no inject.bin file is found on the root of the MicroSD card (the USB Rubber Ducky storage), then the device will show a red LED and execute ATTACKMODE STORAGE.

Multiple Attack Modes

Multiple modes may be specified simultaneously. When this is done, the USB Rubber Ducky device is recognized as what's called "composite device", whereby multiple functions may be defined.

For example, the USB Rubber Ducky can act as both a HID keyboard, and a "flash drive" STORAGE device.

Example

ATTACKMODE HID STORAGE
REM The USB Rubber Ducky will function as both a "flash drive" and a keyboard.

Result

  • As the comment suggests, the USB Rubber Ducky will be recognized by the target as a composite device with both the HID "keyboard" and STORAGE functions.

The order in which the ATTACKMODE parameters STORAGE and HID does not matter.

Changing Attack Modes

The ATTACKMODE command may be used multiple times throughout a payload.

Changing the attack mode will cause the target to re-enumerate the device.

Example

ATTACKMODE HID
DELAY 2000
STRINGLN The USB Rubber Ducky is functioning as a keyboard.
STRINGLN It will function as a flash drive for the next 30 seconds.
ATTACKMODE STORAGE
DELAY 30000
ATTACKMODE HID
DELAY 2000
STRINGLN Now the USB Rubber Ducky is back to functioning as only a keyboard.
STRINGLN For the next 30 seconds it will function as both keyboard and storage.
ATTACKMODE HID STORAGE
DELAY 30000
STRINGLN Now the USB Rubber Ducky will disable itself.
ATTACKMODE OFF

Result

  • This payload will begin by enumerating as a HID keyboard.

  • The USB Rubber Ducky will then enumerate as a mass storage "flash drive" for 30 seconds.

  • Once more it will be enumerated as only a HID keyboard.

  • Next it will enumerate as both a HID keyboard and a mass storage "flash drive".

  • Finally, the device will seem to be disconnected.

VID and PID Overview

USB devices identify themselves by combinations of Vendor ID and Product ID. These 16-bit IDs are specified in hex and are used by the target to find drivers (if necessary) for the specified device.

Identifying Vendor and Product IDs

On a Linux system, the VID and PID for each connected USB device can be shown using the lsusb (list USB) command.

In the above screenshot, we can see that the device with Vendor ID 046D and Product ID c31c is connected to the computer. In this example, the vendor is Logitech, Inc. and the Product is Keyboard K120.

Spoofing Vendor and Product IDs

Using the ATTACKMODE command, the optional VID and PID parameters may be specified using the following syntax:

ATTACKMODE HID VID_046D PID_C31C

This ATTACKMODE command will instruct the USB Rubber Ducky to enumerate using the defined values, thus spoofing a real Logitech K120 keyboard. This can be very useful in situations where the target is configured to only allow interaction with specific devices.

Parameter
Description
Accepted Value

VID_

Vendor ID

16 bits in HEX

PID_

Product ID

16 bits in HEX

A nearly complete list of VID and PID information may be found from Linux USB Project website at http://www.linux-usb.org/usb.ids

Checking this list, we can see that Apple uses the Vendor ID 05AC. Among others, we find that the Product ID 021E specifies the Aluminum Mini Keyboard (ISO). This is very useful when deploying payloads against macOS targets as a non-Apple keyboard will result in the Keyboard Setup Assistant opening.

If the following ATTACKMODE is specified, the Keyboard Setup Assistant will be suppressed. 

ATTACKMODE HID VID_05AC PID_021E

MAN, PROD and SERIAL Overview

In addition to the Vendor ID and Product ID parameters used to identify a USB device, the device iManufacturer (MAN), iProduct (PROD) and iSerial (SERIAL) may be specified using ATTACKMODE.

When using the MAN, PROD and SERIAL parameters, all three must be specified.

Parameter
Description
Accepted Value

MAN_

iManufacturer

16 alphanumeric characters

PROD_

iProduct

16 alphanumeric characters

SERIAL_

iSerial

12 digits

Example

ATTACKMODE HID VID_05AC PID_021E MAN_HAK5 PROD_DUCKY SERIAL_1337

Result

Checking lsusb (List USB) with the -v (verbose) option, we can see that the specified device includes the VID and PID values of the Apple, Inc. Aluminum Mini Keyboard (ISO), however the MAN, PROD and SERIAL values are defined as specified using the ATTACKMODE command.

Default Behaviors

If no MAN, PROD and SERIAL parameters are specified, the USB Rubber Ducky will enumerate with the defaults "USB Input Device" (for both MAN and PROD) and a SERIAL of 111111111111.

Advanced Usage

Keeping in mind that the ATTACKMODE command may be executed multiple times within a payload, and that device enumeration is dependant on the identifiers specified within the ATTACKMODE command (VID, PID, MAN, PROD and SERIAL), re-enumerating the device may only require changing one value — depending on the target OS. This may be useful when re-enumeration is desired.

SERIAL_RANDOM

If specified, the SERIAL_RANDOM parameter will use the pseudorandom number generator to select a unique 12 digit serial number. This is covered in greater detail in the section on randomization.

Example

ATTACKMODE HID STORAGE MAN_HAK5 PROD_DUCKY SERIAL_RANDOM

SAVE and RESTORE Overview

Within a payload the ATTACKMODE command may be executed multiple times.

In some situations it can be useful to "remember" an ATTACKMODE state, for later recall.

SAVE_ATTACKMODE

The SAVE_ATTACKMODE command will save the currently running ATTACKMODE state (including any specified VID, PID, MAN, PROD and SERIAL parameters) such that it may be later restored.

Syntax

SAVE_ATTACKMODE

Example

ATTACKMODE HID
SAVE_ATTACKMODE

Result

  • The parameters HID of the command ATTACKMODE will be saved for later recall.

RESTORE_ATTACKMODE

The RESTORE_ATTACKMODE command will restore a previously saved ATTACKMODE state.

Example

ATTACKMODE HID STORAGE VID_05AC PID_021E MAN_HAK5 PROD_DUCKY SERIAL_1337

BUTTON_DEF
    RESTORE_ATTACKMODE
    STRINGLN The ATTACKMODE has been restored.
END_BUTTON


STRINGLN The USB Rubber Ducky is now in a ATTACKMODE HID STORAGE.
SAVE_ATTACKMODE

STRINGLN This state has been saved. Now entering ATTACKMODE OFF...
STRINGLN Press the button to restore the ATTACKMODE.
ATTACKMODE OFF

Result

  • The USB Rubber Ducky will be recognized as a composite USB device with both HID and STORAGE features.

  • Strings will be typed informing the user of the save state, the button functionality, and entering ATTACKMODE OFF.

  • Pressing the button will restore the previously initialized ATTACKMODE.

Internal Variables

The following internal variables relate to ATTACKMODE and may be used in your payload for advanced functions.

$_CURRENT_VID

Returns the currently operating Vendor ID with endian swapped.

May only be retrieved. Cannot be set.

$_CURRENT_PID

Returns the currently operating Product ID with endian swapped.

May only be retrieved. Cannot be set.

$_CURRENT_ATTACKMODE

Returns the currently operating ATTACKMODE represented as:

Value
ATTACKMODE

0

OFF

1

HID

2

STORAGE

3

COMPOSITE (Both HID and STORAGE)

May only be retrieved. Cannot be set.

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