Lebanon is grappling with the aftermath of two devastating attacks: handheld communication devices detonating on Wednesday and an earlier incident where thousands of pagers exploded, killing 12 people, including two children, and injuring nearly 3,000 others. These incidents have sparked growing concerns about whether consumer electronics can be manipulated to inflict physical harm.
The short answer is yes—such attacks are possible, but executing them is highly complex.
Without physical access to the device, it is difficult to manipulate its firmware—the software that controls hardware components—needed to cause physical damage, such as making a battery overheat and potentially explode. In the case of pagers, which were widely used in the 1990s to receive alphanumeric messages, the exact method behind the Lebanon attack remains unconfirmed. It’s unclear whether Israeli operatives physically accessed Hezbollah pagers or did so remotely. Regardless, the event highlights the vulnerability of older technology and raises fears about the potential havoc modern, more powerful devices could cause.
The Growing Threat of Remote Hacking
Today, a wide range of devices—from laptops to thermostats—can be hacked remotely, raising the potential for physical harm. For instance, printers can be compromised to overheat and burn paper, or vehicle systems could be hacked to disable critical components like brakes. A 2021 report from US consultancy Gartner warned that cybercriminals would increasingly use operational technology environments to harm or even kill humans within the next few years.
“In all these devices, there’s a tiny computer inside,” explains Robert Graham, CEO of cybersecurity company Errata Security. “Pagers may be slow, but they’re still computers. Hackers can rewrite their software, altering their function.” However, Graham notes that it’s difficult to remotely reprogram a device’s hardware to trigger something like a battery explosion, and even if a phone battery were hacked, it would need to be fully charged to cause damage.
The Cost of Attacks on Modern Devices
Smartphones, the most popular consumer devices, seem like obvious targets for cyberattacks. However, these devices are relatively costly to exploit, thanks to rigorous security measures from manufacturers like Apple and Google. While phones from companies like Samsung and Huawei may have more security flaws, hacking them still requires significant expertise.
“The cost of hacking into a well-secured device like an Apple iPhone can reach millions of dollars,” notes Mohamed Belarbi, CEO of Abu Dhabi-based cybersecurity firm Cypherleak. “Now imagine scaling that cost to blow up a pager or turbine—it’s astronomical.”
However, not all systems are equally protected. Basic items, such as data and power cables, can be used to hack devices. A common example is the USB-C cable, which has the potential to severely compromise the connected device by manipulating its components. “Today, you can buy a USB-C cable with a tiny computer embedded in the head,” Belarbi adds. This level of sophistication allows hackers to control physical systems for malicious purposes.
Taking Precautions
The U.S. FBI has issued warnings about using public charging stations, which can serve as entry points for cyberattacks. Public charging points in places like malls or airports can enable “juice jacking,” where hackers gain access to a device through a USB connection.
“The moment you connect your device to charge, a hacker can access your phone and gather data,” Belarbi explains.
Supply chain security is also a concern, especially in today’s globalized tech environment. Many devices and components are sourced from various countries, with China being a major player. This introduces risks, as state actors or third parties could interfere in the manufacturing process. “This is an inherent risk we have to live with,” Belarbi says. “It’s about finding a balance between what we’re comfortable with and what we’re not.”
In the digital age, we often hear about cyber-attacks compromising data or halting business operations. However, a new and far more dangerous frontier is emerging—cyber-attacks that cause physical harm. The recent Lebanon pager attack is a stark reminder of the potential real-world consequences of malicious actors gaining access to systems that bridge the gap between the digital and physical worlds. This event sparks an urgent question: Can your technology be hacked remotely to cause physical harm?
The Lebanon Pager Attack: What Happened?
In a highly alarming incident, hackers exploited vulnerabilities in Lebanon’s paging systems, sending false medical alerts to doctors and emergency responders. This act of cyber-vandalism caused confusion and led to delayed responses to actual emergencies. While this attack did not cause direct physical harm, it exposed a critical security gap that could have severe consequences.
Paging systems, which are still widely used in healthcare for their reliability and low latency, are typically seen as simple, low-risk technologies. However, the Lebanon incident illustrates how even these seemingly benign systems can be manipulated with catastrophic results. A well-coordinated cyber-attack on critical healthcare infrastructure could lead to tragic outcomes, such as delayed medical intervention or the disruption of life-saving services.
The Increasing Threat of Remote Hacking
What makes the Lebanon pager attack especially concerning is that it demonstrates how hacking techniques are evolving beyond stealing data or causing financial damage. The attack exploited an old communication technology, which is often considered obsolete but is still widely used in critical sectors. It underscores a troubling reality: As our world becomes increasingly interconnected, with smart devices and IoT systems proliferating, the potential for cyber-attacks to cause physical harm becomes more significant.
Hackers can remotely manipulate devices or systems that control essential physical functions, such as medical equipment, power grids, or even vehicles. For example:
- Medical Devices: Pacemakers and insulin pumps could be tampered with, causing life-threatening situations.
- Industrial Control Systems (ICS): These systems, which are used in power plants and factories, can be hacked to disrupt or destroy machinery, leading to accidents.
- Automotive Systems: Modern cars equipped with connected systems can be hacked to manipulate brakes, engines, or navigation.
Can Technology Be Used to Cause Physical Harm?
Yes, and it already has. While the Lebanon pager attack did not directly cause physical damage, it served as a warning that the boundary between the digital and physical worlds is becoming increasingly blurred. The following are some notable examples of attacks where digital hacking led to physical harm:
- Stuxnet Worm (2010): One of the most famous examples is the Stuxnet attack, where malware was used to cause physical damage to Iran’s nuclear facilities by targeting its centrifuges. This cyber-attack demonstrated that it is entirely possible to cause real-world destruction using malicious code.
- Triton/Trisis Malware (2017): This malware targeted safety systems at an industrial plant in Saudi Arabia. It was designed to manipulate safety controllers, potentially causing dangerous failures in critical systems that could have led to fatalities.
- Connected Cars and Autonomous Vehicles: Research has shown that hackers can remotely take control of modern cars’ steering, braking, and engine systems. While no widespread attacks have occurred yet, the potential for harm is clear.
- Medical Device Vulnerabilities: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warnings about vulnerabilities in pacemakers and other implantable medical devices that could allow attackers to deliver fatal electric shocks or disable the device entirely.
Protecting Yourself and Your Business
As technologies become more integrated and critical systems move online, the need for robust cybersecurity measures becomes more pressing. Here are some essential steps you can take to minimize the risk of cyber-attacks causing physical harm:
- Update and Patch Systems Regularly: Older systems, like those involved in the Lebanon pager attack, often have unpatched vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit. Regularly updating software and applying security patches is critical.
- Implement Strong Network Segmentation: Isolating critical systems from less secure networks can prevent hackers from gaining easy access to the most sensitive systems. This approach is particularly crucial in healthcare and industrial environments.
- Invest in Advanced Cybersecurity Tools: Use tools that can detect and mitigate attacks in real time. Machine learning-based systems, for example, can detect abnormal activity on a network and respond to threats before they escalate.
- Conduct Regular Security Audits: Ensuring that your organization’s technology infrastructure is secure involves conducting regular penetration tests and audits to identify potential vulnerabilities before hackers do.
- Raise Awareness and Train Employees: Human error is often a significant factor in successful cyber-attacks. Regular training and awareness programs can help employees recognize phishing attacks and other hacking tactics before they succeed.
The Lebanon pager attack is a chilling example of how technology can be hacked remotely to cause chaos, and, potentially, physical harm. As we continue to rely on interconnected devices, from pacemakers to industrial systems, the line between cyber and physical security will continue to blur. The question is no longer whether technology can be hacked to cause physical harm—it’s how long before such attacks become more common.
Businesses and individuals alike must take these threats seriously and invest in strong cybersecurity practices to safeguard against potentially deadly attacks. The future of cyber warfare is here, and the consequences could be dire if we don’t act now.
A Wake-Up Call for Manufacturers
Attacks like the one in Lebanon serve as a stark reminder that supply chain security needs a comprehensive overhaul. While leading manufacturers such as Apple and Google maintain strict ecosystems for their devices, not all companies have similar standards.
Andreas Hassellof, CEO of Dubai-based technology company Ombori, emphasizes that the Lebanon attack is more than just a wake-up call. “It’s a clear sign that our approach to supply-chain security needs a complete rethinking. We’re facing new threats that blur the lines between digital and physical vulnerabilities,” he warns, pointing to earlier attacks on supply chains, including those targeting SolarWinds and SuperMicro.
“The message is clear: adapt or become a target. Clinging to outdated security models is not just falling behind—it’s inviting disaster.”
