Exploiting Stored Wi-Fi Credentials on Smartphones Smartphones store Wi-Fi passwords alongside the network names once connected, creating an opportunity for exploitation. Attackers can broadcast a phony network with the same trusted name to trigger automatic connections. The half handshake attack reduces the typical four-way process, capturing just enough data to reveal the stored password.
Setting Up the Targeted Attack Environment Open Source intelligence tools allow attackers to identify target networks in specific areas. By searching for network names and security details, a known network is pinpointed, here exemplified by a Honeypot name. A Linux system with a compatible wireless adapter is then configured in monitor mode while an Android device simulates the fake access point.
Intercepting Traffic and Capturing Handshake Frames The wireless adapter is switched into monitor mode and tuned to the channel carrying the fake network. Tools like Wireshark capture the beacon frames and scheduled handshake packets as devices try to reconnect using stored credentials. This intercepted half handshake, though incomplete, provides sufficient information to attempt a password crack.
Cracking the Captured Password and Exposing Vulnerabilities The captured handshake file is processed with aircrack-ng alongside a trusted password list to decipher the saved Wi-Fi password. The process quickly validates the simple or reused password present on the device. Despite the limitation of using a half handshake, the attack underscores the peril of weak credentials in public environments.