NSA Playset

A collaborative project aimed at replicating and demystifying surveillance tools detailed in the NSA's ANT catalog leak. By leveraging open-source hardware and software, the NSA Playset demonstrates that advanced surveillance capabilities are not beyond the reach of dedicated researchers and can be recreated on a budget.

Project Overview

The NSA Playset began as a response to the leaked pages from the NSA's ANT catalog, which revealed sophisticated surveillance gadgets used by intelligence agencies. The project's mission is to:

• Replicate NSA surveillance tools using low-cost, accessible components
• Educate the public and security professionals about potential vulnerabilities
• Demystify the NSA's methods and promote transparency in cybersecurity
• Develop effective countermeasures and improve security practices

Notable Achievements

The project successfully recreated several tools from the ANT catalog at a fraction of the original cost:

• TWILIGHTVEGETABLE: A GSM handset sniffer built for $50 (NSA version: $15,000)
• SLOTSCREAMER: A PCIe attack platform using a $100 USB3380-AB evaluation board capable of reading memory and bypassing security measures
• Various devices targeting USB, PCI Express, I2C, GSM, Bluetooth, and RF retroreflectors

Presentations

The NSA Playset has been featured at major security conferences including ToorCamp, DEFCON, Black Hat, and Ruxcon. Use the navigation links to explore the individual talks and demonstrations.