{"id":"aigc-v0-b61907f0-bf8e-504a-8af6-f7535b2cba2f","title":"Accidental Robot Vacuum Takeover: How One Man Controlled 7,000 Devices","description":"Discover the surprising story of how a tech enthusiast inadvertently gained control of nearly 7,000 robot vacuums while attempting to build a custom remote for his own device. This piece explores the security lapse, the extent of the access, and how the vulnerability was ultimately addressed.","timestamp":1772360040,"category":"technology","headline":"Accidental Robot Vacuum Takeover: How One Man Controlled 7,000 Devices","modifiedHeadline":"AI Project Uncovers Robot Vacuum Security Flaw","subCategories":["scid_bfd77859"],"subcategoriesName":["Big Tech"],"region":"IN","bundleMetaData":{"bundleId":"c35cfc57-1bba-4539-a24c-695ea99ac023","bundleTitle":"Mastering AI","cardData":null},"iabCategoryId":"638","fcSummary":"an ai coding assistant inadvertently exposed a major security flaw, granting access to thousands of robot vacuums across 24 countries. a user attempting to create a custom remote control discovered they could access camera feeds, maps, and control devices due to a credential issue. the vulnerability, affecting over 10,000 devices and power stations, was swiftly resolved by the manufacturer.","summary":"Tech enthusiast's AI project exposed a security flaw, granting access to 7,000 robot vacuums across 24 countries. Vulnerability now fixed.","ctaUrl":"https://trends.glance.com/newz/Technology_Evolution_and_future/IN/en/feedpost-specials/aigc-v0-b61907f0-bf8e-504a-8af6-f7535b2cba2f?byte=true","sourceUrl":"https://trends.glance.com/newz/Technology_Evolution_and_future/IN/en/feedpost-specials/aigc-v0-b61907f0-bf8e-504a-8af6-f7535b2cba2f?byte=true","bannerImage":"https://g-mob.glance-cdn.com/public/fc/image/DC3xmJO8HUf0.webp","content":"

\n An AI coding assistant led to an unexpected discovery: a significant security flaw granting access to thousands of robot vacuums. Learn how one individual's project exposed a major vulnerability and its resolution.\n

Unintended Access Uncovered

In a remarkable turn of events, an individual working in AI strategy for a vacation rental company stumbled upon an extensive security vulnerability. His

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initial goal was simple: to create a custom remote control application for his new robotic vacuum cleaner, specifically a DJI model, using a video game controller. To achieve this, he employed an AI coding assistant to help reverse-engineer the communication protocols between the vacuum and the manufacturer's cloud servers. This process, however, unexpectedly revealed that the authentication credentials he used for his own device also provided him with access to a vast network of other vacuums. The implications were profound, as he found himself with the ability to view live camera feeds, access room maps, and control approximately 7,000 other robot vacuums spread across 24 different countries. It was an accidental discovery that highlighted a critical lapse in the security architecture of the devices.

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Extensive Control Capabilities

The security loophole allowed the individual to perform a wide array of actions on the remotely accessed vacuums, far beyond what was originally intended. He could not only see and hear through the live camera feeds of these devices but also remotely maneuver them. This capability extended to mapping out entire rooms, generating detailed 2D floor plans of various homes, and even identifying the approximate location of each vacuum using its IP address. During a live demonstration, he showcased the depth of information available, including serial numbers, cleaning room details, travel distances, battery status indicating when a return to the charging dock was needed, and any obstacles encountered. Within a mere nine minutes, his system had cataloged 6,700 DJI devices globally and processed over 100,000 messages. This access was further extended to include over 10,000 DJI Power portable power stations that communicated with the same servers, demonstrating the widespread nature of the security oversight.

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Ethical Discovery and Resolution

It is important to note that the individual behind this discovery emphasized that his intentions were not malicious. He explicitly stated he was not attempting to hack the devices but was solely focused on achieving his personal project of remote control for his own vacuum. He clarified that he achieved this level of access by reverse-engineering the manufacturer's protocols, not by breaching their servers through hacking, cracking, or brute-force methods, asserting that he adhered to all rules. Following the discovery and reporting of this significant vulnerability, the company took prompt action to rectify the issue. By the morning of the report, the security flaw had been addressed, and the individual's access to the affected robots was revoked, effectively plugging the gaping hole in their server security. The DJI Romo, the specific model at the center of this incident, is an autonomous home robot vacuum that has been expanding its market presence.

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Accidental Robot Vacuum Takeover: How One Man Controlled 7,000 Devices

SUMMARY