Evaluating the Security of Satellite Systems

TL;DR

This paper provides a comprehensive taxonomy of adversarial tactics and techniques targeting LEO satellites, analyzing the space ecosystem and extending the MITRE ATT&CK framework to improve cybersecurity defenses for satellite systems.

Contribution

It introduces a novel taxonomy and an extended framework for categorizing satellite attack techniques across the adversary lifecycle.

Findings

Analyzed the space ecosystem and identified vulnerabilities.

Surveyed historical and recent satellite attacks.

Demonstrated taxonomy with high-profile incident modeling.

Abstract

Satellite systems are facing an ever-increasing amount of cybersecurity threats as their role in communications, navigation, and other services expands. Recent papers have examined attacks targeting satellites and space systems; however, they did not comprehensively analyze the threats to satellites and systematically identify adversarial techniques across the attack lifecycle. This paper presents a comprehensive taxonomy of adversarial tactics, techniques, and procedures explicitly targeting LEO satellites. First, we analyze the space ecosystem including the ground, space, Communication, and user segments, highlighting their architectures, functions, and vulnerabilities. Then, we examine the threat landscape, including adversary types, and capabilities, and survey historical and recent attacks such as jamming, spoofing, and supply chain. Finally, we propose a novel extension of the MITRE ATT&CK framework to categorize satellite attack techniques across the adversary lifecycle from reconnaissance to impact. The taxonomy is demonstrated by modeling high-profile incidents, including the Viasat attack that disrupted Ukraine's communications. The taxonomy provides the foundation for the development of defenses against emerging cyber risks to space assets. The proposed threat model will advance research in the space domain and contribute to the security of the space domain against sophisticated attacks.