The last few hours in Lebanon have witnessed mass bombings of pagers or bleeps owned by Hezbollah members, which is unprecedented in terms of the technology used and the extent of the damage it caused.
Due to the lack of accurate information about this process due to its modernity and also the antiquity of this technology dating back to the last century, and also due to the lack of previous incidents of this type of device exploding, Al Jazeera Net used artificial intelligence to analyze the incidents and develop technical scenarios for the process of hacking the devices and causing them to explode remotely.
We would like to note that these answers to the hacking scenarios were from the latest version of the “Chat GPT” program, which is “4O”, and based on the information available at the time of writing the article, they are subject to the limited capabilities of this type of known program.
What is a pager? How does it work? What are its components?
We asked the artificial intelligence first about this device, how it works, and its components, and this is its answer:
Paging systems, also known as pagers, are wireless communications devices designed to receive short messages, and are primarily used in emergency and healthcare services. These systems rely on radio frequencies such as POCSAG or FLEX to send alerts in one direction.
These systems have evolved to include two-way communications via LTE or apps, which enhances reliability and improves coverage. Despite the proliferation of smartphones, pagers remain important for critical services due to their simplicity, long battery life, and ability to operate in areas with poor signal.
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The hardware components of two-way pagers that support or integrate with applications typically include:
Microprocessor: Controls pager functions, processes data, and manages communication protocols.
Radio receiver/transmitter: Allows communication over telecommunications networks (such as BOC SAG, Flex) and LTE.
Screen: Usually an LCD or e-ink screen to read messages.
Battery: Long lasting support for extended operation.
Antenna: To receive and transmit signals.
Speaker/Alarm: To alert users of incoming messages.
These components work together to deliver instant, reliable messaging across networks and applications.
Which of the above mentioned pager components is explosive?
If the LTE-enabled two-way pager is damaged or overused, the following components may fail or explode due to electrical faults or overload:
BatteryLithium-ion batteries can overheat, swell or explode if damaged or overused.
Capacitors: May explode if exposed to voltage surges or prolonged stress.
LTE/Radio Module: Overheating may cause malfunction, but it is less likely to explode than a battery.
We asked the show to approach the questions as a technical expert and analyze the incident of exploding pagers in a hospital with doctors and nurses in different locations.
In order to analyze the root cause of the explosion of pagers used by doctors and nurses, he said that several possible scenarios must be considered:
Battery overheating:If the devices use lithium-ion batteries, defects or overuse may result in overheating and explosion.
Electrical failureShort circuits due to faulty components may cause the device to catch fire or explode.
Increase energy:If the devices are connected to external power sources, the voltage increase may cause explosion.
Environmental factors:Extreme heat or humidity may accelerate battery failure.
Manufacturing defectsA defective batch of devices could cause widespread accidents.
Further investigation requires examination of device logs, user usage, and potential environmental factors.
We asked the program about the possibility that the explosion was caused by a cyber attack, and this was its response:
Yes, technically it is possible for devices like pagers to explode as a result of a hack attempt, although this is rare and requires very specific conditions. A hacker could modify the firmware or software to control power consumption, causing the battery to overheat and explode.
However, this scenario is complex and unlikely unless there are major vulnerabilities in the device’s security or power management system.
The breach would require targeting physical devices directly, which is rare. Investigating device and software logs may help determine if a breach has occurred.
Other possibilities such as battery defects or electrical faults should not be ruled out.
We asked the program for more details about this scenario.
This is to illustrate the possibility of pagers exploding as a result of hacking:
In order for a breach to trigger an explosion, an attacker would need to gain access to the pager’s internal systems, most likely via vulnerabilities in firmware or software. Once inside, they could:
Manipulating battery charging cycles: By bypassing the power management system, a hacker can cause the battery to overcharge or rapidly discharge, generating excessive heat.
Accelerate components: If the pager has a microprocessor or power-intensive components, changing the normal operating parameters may cause an overload on the battery or other components, resulting in overheating.
Generate software errors: Hackers can exploit vulnerabilities to prevent the system from entering low-power states, causing constant power draw, which stresses the battery.
Simulate external commands: If the device is connected to external networks (such as LTE or a pager network), the hacker can send repeated commands that stress internal processes, causing components to fail.
However, executing such a hack requires very specialized knowledge of the device’s architecture and firmware, making it a complex and rare scenario. Furthermore, modern devices usually have built-in safety mechanisms to prevent physical damage even in the event of a hack. More commonly, device explosions occur as a result of battery defects, manufacturing errors, or environmental conditions.
To investigate whether a hack is the cause, look for signs of unauthorized access or firmware tampering, such as abnormal network traffic or modified software logs.
We then asked the programme as a technical expert to give advice on how to investigate such incidents.
Sure! Here are detailed tips to help you investigate exploding pager incidents:
Battery analysis:
Inspect for defects: Inspect batteries for signs of swelling, leakage, or manufacturing defects.
Determine the type of battery: Note whether it is lithium-ion, nickel-cadmium, etc., as some types are more prone to failure.
Third-party batteries: Check if non-original or counterfeit batteries are used.
Shipping equipment inspection:
Charger Safety: Check chargers and docking stations for any faults or defects. Voltage Irregularities: Use meters to detect overvoltage or incorrect electrical outputs.
Environmental factors:
Temperature and humidity: Assess whether devices have been exposed to extreme conditions.
Electromagnetic Interference: Consider nearby equipment that may be emitting strong electromagnetic fields.
Software and Firmware Evaluation:
Recent Updates: Investigate any recent software or firmware updates that may have introduced bugs.
Power Management System: Analyze whether there are defects in how the device handles charge and discharge cycles.
Potential hack or cybersecurity breach:
Unauthorized Access Logs: Review logs for any unusual activity or access attempts.
Network Traffic Analysis: Monitor suspicious data transmission or commands sent to devices.
Security vulnerabilities: Identify any known vulnerabilities for the device model.
Manufacturing Boost Achievement:
Serial Numbers: Record serial and batch numbers to identify commonalities.
Recall Notices: Check if the manufacturer has issued recall notices or warnings.
Supplier Quality Control: Investigate the factory’s quality control processes.
Review maintenance records:
Service history: Check if the devices are maintained and updated regularly.
Repair logs: Find past issues that may be related.
Data logging and monitoring:
Implement monitoring programs: for early detection of anomalies in the remaining devices.
Alert Systems: Set up automatic alerts for high temperature or other important parameters.
Supply Chain Investigation:
Component Traceability: Trace the origin of vital components to exclude counterfeit parts.
Supplier Reviews: Evaluate the reliability of suppliers and manufacturers.
Conclusion: A systematic and comprehensive investigation that combines technical analysis, user feedback, and expert consultation will help determine the root cause of pager explosions. This approach will also help implement corrective actions to prevent future incidents.
As a technical expert, we asked the program how likely it was that the incident was the result of a cyber attack. Here was its answer.
Technically, the likelihood of the explosion being caused by a hack is low, especially for devices like pagers that have limited functionality, a small battery, and a simple build compared to smartphones or computers.
The most likely cause is a hardware defect, such as a failed battery or a manufacturing defect, especially in small devices that are subjected to high stress on the battery.
While the hack theory is possible, it would require significant expertise and specific exploitation of firmware, battery management system, or network protocols, which is rare and complex.
A closing word for clarification
The answers of artificial intelligence remain limited to the method of the question and the information available to it, which the user has no control over and cannot be relied upon to determine the actual scenario of an event like this, especially without conducting official investigations and disclosing security information. It is a hypothetical scenario analysis that may be right or wrong, and there may be other scenarios, including that these small devices were manually booby-trapped to become time bombs, and the technology had no role other than acting as an on/off button to explode on the targeted person.
