Hard drive side-channel attacks using smartphone magnetic field sensors

Abstract

In this paper we present a new class of side-channel attacks on computer hard drives. Hard drives contain one or more spinning disks made of a magnetic material. In addition, they contain different magnets which rapidly move the head to a target position on the disk to perform a write or a read. The magnetic fields from the disk’s material and head are weak and well shielded. However, we show that the magnetic field due to the moving head can be picked up by sensors outside of the hard drive. With these measurements, we are able to deduce patterns about ongoing operations. For example, we can detect what type of the operating system is booting up or what application is being started. Most importantly, no special equipment is necessary. All attacks can be performed by using an unmodified smartphone placed in proximity of a hard drive.