Inception Attacks: Immersive Hijacking in Virtual Reality Systems (2403.05721v2)

Published 8 Mar 2024 in cs.CR

Abstract: Today's virtual reality (VR) systems provide immersive interactions that seamlessly connect users with online services and one another. However, these immersive interfaces also introduce new vulnerabilities, making it easier for users to fall prey to new attacks. In this work, we introduce the immersive hijacking attack, where a remote attacker takes control of a user's interaction with their VR system, by trapping them inside a malicious app that masquerades as the full VR interface. Once trapped, all of the user's interactions with apps, services and other users can be recorded and modified without their knowledge. This not only allows traditional privacy attacks but also introduces new interaction attacks, where two VR users encounter vastly different immersive experiences during their interaction. We present our implementation of the immersive hijacking attack on Meta Quest headsets and conduct IRB-approved user studies that validate its efficacy and stealthiness. Finally, we examine effectiveness and tradeoffs of various potential defenses, and propose a multifaceted defense pipeline.

References (73)

Authors (5)

Zhuolin Yang (18 papers)
Cathy Yuanchen Li (3 papers)
Arman Bhalla (1 paper)
Ben Y. Zhao (49 papers)
Haitao Zheng (50 papers)

Citations (2)

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Summary

Overview of Inception Attacks in Virtual Reality Systems

This paper introduces and investigates a novel class of security threats specific to virtual reality (VR) systems, termed "inception attacks." As contemporary VR technologies advance, allowing users immersive interactions that closely mimic real-world experiences, the potential for exploiting these systems through security vulnerabilities also increases. Inception attacks represent a sophisticated method for compromising VR environments by integrating an unauthorized manipulation layer that intercepts and modifies user interactions without their awareness.

Inception Attack Mechanics

An inception attack functions by embedding a malicious VR application, masquerading as the genuine VR system, trapping users within a forged layer of interaction. In this compromised state, all user inputs and system outputs can be manipulated, recorded, or altered in real time. By hijacking interactions, attackers can perform a wide range of exploits—from impersonating applications to misrepresenting user exchanges with different VR components, including financial transactions.

Key to implementing these attacks is the inception app, which mimics actual VR applications to a high degree of fidelity. This allows the attacker to capture user credentials and modify VR experiences seamlessly. The paper details the implementation of an inception attack on Meta Quest VR headsets, illustrating how an attacker could, for example, alter transactional data within a browser or eavesdrop on VRChat communications.

Study of Attack Effectiveness

To quantify the effectiveness of inception attacks, the authors conducted a user paper on Meta Quest Pro devices. Out of 27 participants, 26 were successfully deceived by the inception attack, perceiving no significant differences between real and simulated VR environments. This result highlights the efficacy of such attacks under current VR system configurations and user awareness levels. Participants generally attributed minor inconsistencies to technical glitches, underscoring the challenge of detecting such sophisticated intrusions.

Implications and Challenges

The findings emphasize serious privacy and security concerns within VR systems, as attackers can exploit these sophisticated techniques with relative ease. The paper posits potential vulnerabilities that system developers must address to prevent such breaches. The capacity to alter VR environments at such a granular level not only raises user privacy issues but could fundamentally undermine trust in VR platforms if not adequately secured.

Potential Defensive Measures

While the paper acknowledges the complexity of completely preventing inception attacks, it recommends a layered security approach:

Prevention Strategies: Strengthening authentication protocols and restricting unauthorized app installations through secure bootloaders could significantly curb inception attack opportunities.
Detection Mechanisms: Incorporating anomaly detection systems that monitor control flows and performance can serve as an alert system, albeit with considerations for performance impacts.
Hardware Solutions: Regular forced restarts and system resets might mitigate the duration of successful intrusions.

These strategies emphasize a comprehensive overhaul of current VR security architectures to incorporate robust safeguarding measures against such attack vectors.

Future Directions

The potential escalation in the capabilities of inception attacks, driven by the integration of more advanced computational resources and generative AI, underscores the urgency of developing forward-thinking security frameworks. Virtual reality developers and stakeholders must prioritize the adaptation of current systems to anticipate and counteract these sophisticated forms of digital attack. This involves not only technological enhancements but also user education to recognize and respond to potential security threats inherent in immersive VR environments.

In summary, the paper provides a detailed exposition on inception attacks, raising critical awareness of vulnerabilities within VR systems. It calls for strategic developments in security engineering to mitigate these risks effectively, laying the groundwork for future research and technology advancements in securing immersive virtual interactions.