CAPEC-612: WiFi MAC Address Tracking
In this attack scenario, the attacker passively listens for WiFi messages and logs the associated Media Access Control (MAC) addresses. These addresses are intended to be unique to each wireless device (although they can be configured and changed by software). Once the attacker is able to associate a MAC address with a particular user or set of users (for example, when attending a public event), the attacker can then scan for that MAC address to track that user in the future.
Last updated
Overview
CAPEC-612 (WiFi MAC Address Tracking) is a detailed-level attack pattern catalogued by MITRE in the Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC). It describes a recurring method attackers use to exploit software weaknesses.
What the attacker needs
Prerequisites
- None
Skills required
- Low skill: Open source and commercial software tools are available and several commercial advertising companies routinely set up tools to collect and monitor MAC addresses.
How to mitigate it
Defenses that reduce the risk of CAPEC-612.
- Automatic randomization of WiFi MAC addresses
- Frequent changing of handset and retransmission device
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about CAPEC-612.
- What is CAPEC-612?
- In this attack scenario, the attacker passively listens for WiFi messages and logs the associated Media Access Control (MAC) addresses. These addresses are intended to be unique to each wireless device (although they can be configured and changed by software). Once the attacker is able to associate a MAC address with a particular user or set of users (for example, when attending a public event), the attacker can then scan for that MAC address to track that user in the future.
- How do you prevent CAPEC-612?
- Automatic randomization of WiFi MAC addresses
- What weaknesses does CAPEC-612 target?
- CAPEC-612 exploits 2 CWE weaknesses, including CWE-201 (Insertion of Sensitive Information Into Sent Data), CWE-300 (Channel Accessible by Non-Endpoint).
- How severe is CAPEC-612?
- MITRE rates CAPEC-612 as Low severity.
References
Attack-pattern data is sourced from the MITRE CAPEC catalog (v3.9). Weakness associations link to the corresponding CWE entries on RadicalNotion.AI.
Defend against CAPEC-612
Track the CVEs and weaknesses attackers exploit with this technique, with AI-written analysis and remediation guidance.