We just did some red team testing at one of our locations and this came up. Impeccable timing once again boys, cheers.
Cracked 125kHz Access Control Migration Guide
Published May 19, 2017 04:29 AM
Despite being one of the most popular credentials, 125 kHz credentials are easily copied and insecure as we showed in our test results, video embedded below:
However, changing to more secure credentials is not always a clear path, and doing it can cost thousands of dollars for even smaller systems.
In this guide, we cover the most common migration paths and examine the pros and cons of each, so you can help choose the best path forward.
This guide covers:
- The 3 Most Common Migration Paths
- Pros & Cons of Each Method
- Biometrics Option
- HID Global Formats More Costly
- 13.56 MHz Read Ranges Shorter
- Changeover Cost Is The Biggest Factor
The ***** ****
*** **** ***** ** *** *******: the **** ****** *** *** **** formats **** ** ****** *** ********** unencrypted, ** ******* **** ** **** a ****** ** * *** ******* and ***** * *** *******. ***** the **** ****** ** ***** ******** *********** ** everyday ***, *** **** **** ******* are **** ** ***** **** ******** undetected ** * **** ***** *********.
Three ********* *****
*** ******** ** ***************: **** ***** 125 *** ***********. ***** **** *****, higher ********* ******** ******* ********** *** stringent ******* ** **** ******* ***** resulting ** ***** ********* ******* ***** them * ******* ***********.
*******, ***** *** * ****** ** options *** ********* *******, **** **** varying ***** *** ********* *** ********:
- ****** ***** & ******* ***********
- ******* *****-******** *******, ********* ******* *****
- ******* ******** *******, ********* ******* *****
*****, ** ******* **** ****** ** depth *** ***** *** **** **. cons ** **** *********** ***** **** is **** *** ******** *******.
HID Global ******* **** ******
*** *** ************* **** ********* **** from ****** ******* ** ******** ***** 13.56MHz ****** ****** ** ******* ** its *****? *** *** **** ****** options ***** **** **** *** ********* vendors:
** *******, *** ****** ****** ** more ********* ** * ***-****** *** per-credential ***** ******** ** ******/*******. *** source ** *** **** ********** ** largely *** ** *********, ** *** HID ******* ** ********, ** *** manufactured ********, ** *** ** ***** parent **** *****. ** ********, *** non-HID ******* *** '**** ***' *** essentially **** *** *** ************ ** build ******* ******* **** **** ** licensing ****.
*** ****** ******* ********** ******* ****** vendor ******* ****** ***** ** ********** part *******, *** *** **** ********** typically ****** **% - **% **** for *** *** ********. *******, ********** in ***** *******, *******, *******/******* *******, and ******* ************ *** ** ****** for *** *** ******* *********** ****** share ** **** ******. ********* ** the *****, ***-***** ******* *** ** more *******, *** *******/******* *** ** more *********.
*** ******** ******** ******* *** *** vendors, *** ***: *** ** *** *********** ****.
13.56 *** **** ****** *******
**** ** *** *** **** ********** between ***********. ******* **** ***** ****** also ** ************* *********, **** *** lower ********* ****** ****** ******** ****** distances. ***** *** ******* ***** ** not * ******* ****** *** **** mount ** ******* ***** ************ ***** cards **** **** **** * ****** away **** *** ******, ***** **** frequency **.***** ******* ****** **** ** ranges ****** *** ******* ****** ** vehicle **** ************.
*** *******, **** *** *** **** ***** ************ ** ** **" **** ******** non ******* ***********, *** *******.** *** **************** ***** **" *** **** ********* HID ** **** ********** *** **************** *** ****** ****** ******* *** that ***********.
Pros & **** ** ****
******** **** *** ***** *******, *** most ****** *** ******* *** ******* cost *** ****** ****** ****** ** immediate *********** ** **** *** *** readers *** **** *****, ***** *** least ********* *** *********** **** *** most ********** ****** ** ****** ******** a **.** *** ****** ***** ******** units *** ***** ******** *** ***** to ***** ** ******.
*** **** *** ** *** ****, meaningful ******** ***********, *** *** ****** impact ** ** *** * *********** reader **** *** **** ******** **** frequencies *** *******, ***** ****** '*****-********' readers. **** ***** ***** *** *****-****:
** *** ******** *****, ** ******** each **** ** *****.
One: ******* *** ***** & ******* ***********
**** ********* **** ** *** **** costly, *** ** ****** *** ******** gap *** ******* ** ********* *********** of *** ****** ******* *** ***** at ****. *********** ********** *** ** 125 *** *********** ***** **** *** exploit **** **********, *** **** * drastic **** ******** **** ********* ****** and ******* ************ ** ********* ******** 125 *** ****** *********** **** *** replacement **.** *** *****.
** *******, * ****** **.** *** reader *** **** $*** - $*** and * ****** **** ***** ***** $5 - $* ****** ********** ************, configuration, *** **** ******** *****, ** even * ******* ****** **** **** than * ***** *** ** ***** can *** **** *** ********* ** dollars, *** ***** **********/ *****-**** ******* can **** ******** **** ** *********.
** ******** ** *** ****, ********* changing *** *** ******* ***** ******** credentials *** *** *****, ** ******* and ******** * ******* ***** ***** preparing *** ******* *** *********** **********. And ****-***** ************ *** **** ** be **-********** ********.
** * ******, *** '******* ********** at ****' ********* ** ********* **** used ** ******* ******* ***** *** cost *** ******** ****** *** *****.
Two: ******* *****-******** *******, ********* ******* *****
**** ********* **** ** ***** *** one ****, *** ***** *** ******** can ***** ** *********. **** *** first ******, ****** *** ******** ********* replacement ** *** ******* ** * new ****** **** ********** **** *********** at ****. ***** ****** '**********' ** 'multitechnology' *******, ***** ***** *** **** either ********** ********* *** ******** *******.
***** **** **** ** ****** ***** that ****** *********** *** ** ******** on * ******* ***** ****** **** all ** ****, ***** ******** * big ****** *** *** ********* ******* of *********** *********** ** * ********** schedule.
***** *** **** ** ***** ******* is ***** ****** ** * ***-**** basis ******** ** * ****** ********** 13.56 ***-**** ****, *** ******* ** modest ** **% - **%. *** price ********** ** ********* ******* *** still **** *********, *** ********* *** the ******* ** ********* ********** ***********, even ** *** **** ** ********** unsecure *** *** ******* *** ****** or ***** ****, ** ********** *** many ******** ********.
Three: ******* **** *******, ********* ******* *****
*** ***** ****** ** ***** *** least *********, *** ******** *********** *********, careful ****** ********, *** ***** ******* eyesores ***** ****: ******* * *** reader **** ** *** *** ***.
**** ** ******-**** ******* ** ***** less **** *****-********/********** *****, *** **** can ** ********* ******* ********** ********** of *** ******** ******* *** ***********.
*******, ********** *********** ******* **** **** other, **** **** **** *** ********* frequencies, *** ****** **** ***** *********** of **** ****. ********* ** ***** do *** ****** **** ***** *** or ********* ********* **** **** ***** is ***** * ***** ***** ********.
** *********** ** *** ** *****, appearance *** **** **** ***** ** be. ******** ********** ******* **** ** side ***** ******* ** ********* ***** and ***** ***, ******** *** *** and *** **.** *** ******:
********, **** ********** ******** *** *** support **** **** *** ****** *****, and ********, ***********, *** ******* **** additional ********* ** *** ****** *** be ********.
*******, *** ******* ** **** ****** may ***** ******** ** ** ***** factors ********** **** ****** ************, *** migration ** *** *********** *** ** done **** ** ***** *******, **** whatever **** ** ****** ********** ** continuing ** *** *** *** **********.
Considering ********** *******
*** **** *******, *** *********** ** upgrade *** ******** ***** ********** ***** ********, like **********. ***** *** **** ** finger, ****, *** **** ******** **** decreased **** *** **** ******, *** cost ** ***** ****** ***** *** typically **** **** **.** *** ************, and **** ***** ******* *********** ******* for **** ********** *** **** ******** on *** ** ******** *** *** new *******.
***** **** ***** *********** '**** *****', there *** ***** *********** ** *********** issues **** ********** ***** *********** **** as ******* ** ****** ************, ******* perimeter ******** ******* ** *** ******* (and **** ******** ******** **** ******), and ** **** ************* ********** *********** 13.56 *** *********** *** ******* *** implemented ** ******* ***** **********.
******* ** *** **** **** *** difficult *********** ******, ********* **** *** kHz ** ********** ** ********, ******** generally ******** ** ***** *********** ****** a **** ******** ****** ******* ****** copying ** ********** ******.
Changes **** *****
** *** *** *** ******** ****** systems, ******** **** ********* ****** *** fast ********* *******. *** ***** *** security ******** ***** *** ****** ** weigh *** **** ** *** *** products ******* *** **** ** ********* from **.
*** **** *****, *** **** *** perceived ** *** ***** ** ******* spending *****, *******, *** ********* ** cheap **** ******* *** ******* *** amplified *** *****. ******** ******** ****** now ******** *** ********** ** ******* unauthorized ********** *** '**** ****' *** kHz ***** ** **** ** ******* 'low ****' ********* ********** **** *** at *** ******** ** *** *** retail *****.
Next **: ***** **.** *** *** ******?
** ******** *******, ** **** **** different **.** *** ******* ** *** which **** *** ********** ** ******* or ******** ******* ***** ********** ******* or *********** ******** ***** *****. **** for *** ******* ** ***** ****** format ** '****' *** ** **** types *** *****.
Comments (19)
Michael Gonzalez
May 19, 2017UE
Undisclosed End User #1
May 22, 2017Has anyone recommended/used RFID Blocking Badge Holders that are designed to block low frequency 125kHz? This question is related to "digital pickpocketing" We all know you cannot block it 100% unless wrapped in foil or a lead box but by using RFID Blocking Holders you can reduce the ability to be compromised.
What are you doing to mitigate the risk while doing the obvious by getting rid of the vulnerability all together? When you have 250K Cardholders and over 10K Access Points replacing the vulnerability is not an easy task.
Brian Rhodes
May 22, 2017We have purchased several blocking holders/sleeves and will be doing a test this week. Look for that report soon.
Brian Rhodes
May 28, 2017Our post on card shields is published here: Anti-Hack Access Card Shields Tested
Armando Perez
Jun 14, 2017We tried this ourselves, and I was able to read even through a carbon fiver RFID blocking wallet.
UE
Undisclosed End User #2
May 23, 2017Last year we replaced our entire compliment of 10K prox cards with dual-format HID cards, then implemented a project to begin replacing readers the old prox readers with iClass units at +50 sites beginning with the perimeter, then main access points and critical doors. Also issued a directive to our security vendor that all new and replacement readers are to be iClass. Process is working pretty well; card replacement took 6mths and allowed us to updated all cardholder info (photos, security questions, PIN's etc). By having the cards compatible with both format readers, no disruptions to the end users. Side-note: if you include a PIN requirement with 125khz cards, doesn't matter if people have a clone (as long as people don't keep the PIN with the card).
JH
John Honovich
May 23, 2017if you include a PIN requirement
#2, thanks for sharing. Has there been any notable pushback or complaints about requiring a pin? It would seem to increase delay / add interruption to entering. On the other hand, depending on how secure your facility needs to be, it may be worth it.
UI
Undisclosed Integrator #3
May 23, 2017Where did you get that particular writer? I want one to bring around with me to demo how easy it is. I could probably sell a lot of readers and cards once they see it.
UE
Undisclosed End User #2
May 23, 2017People will always complain, but make the application reasonable, explain the whys and stick to a standard (don't make exceptions for specific sites).
The requirements has always been in place as part of our layering strategy, specifically at exterior doors outside of core business hours. This way you minimize the number of access points where they'd encounter delays (only 3sec per user/transaction) and only about 25% of staff are affected by the requirement.
Biggest challenge was sites deviated from the standard over the years, and people forgot their PIN's. Enter the new ID roll-out where we required people to pick a new PIN and made it part of the enrollment process (like when signing up for a credit card).
This also provided us an awareness opportunity to explain why PIN's are required.
20% of people will complain no matter what, 20% will tow the line no matter what, it's the middle 60% you need to try and win over and the only way to do that is with a good awareness and comm strategy.
Michael Gonzalez
May 23, 2017Agreed, completely. I found it to be a lot more helpful when communication goes out from security to the employees on a regular basis, not just when something is changing. If the general employee population understands the basis on which these decisions are being made, and understands their work and their inconvenience was considered in the process, they're a lot more likely to toe the line. That's how you develop a see something, say something culture, and make people feel like they're part of the solution, not just a victim of it.
Olsen Kandimba
Oct 22, 2019there once was an RFID Copier app for phones that have NFC on the android appstre. does anyone remember the name? (around 2015)
Ng Choy Mei
Sep 14, 2020Timely info
CH
Charng Haw Guo
Oct 26, 2020Great info.
SD
Shannon Davis
Apr 27, 2021Why would you add another reader to the door instead of just replacing the existing with a multiclass type reader. The multiclass reader will be a little more expensive than a standard high frequency but you will save more in the labor cost of just removing the old reader and replacing in the existing place, especially if you have a switch place style reader where the installation holes are standard.
UE
Undisclosed End User #2
Apr 28, 2021For clarity, we didn't add a another reader, we replaced the existing. Because 125khz are easily compromised, I made the policy decision that LF prox cards are no longer acceptable for the corporation given the vulnerability. We replaced all cards with dual format and implemented a 5-yr refresh cycle, then replaced all readers to HF only. No impact to card holders but reduces exposure of the 125's. Going MC wouldn't have mitigated that risk. As for the plates, our installer fabricated plastic blanking plates (gloss, beveled edges) that matched the dimensions of the old readers, mounted these to the 2gang box (where required) and mounted the new readers to the surface. Looks clean, plates were about $2 per.
CB
Cohen Berania
Oct 22, 2021I agree that this is how you develop a "see something, say something culture", and make people feel like they're part of the solution, not just a victim of it. I believe more of us need this sort of mindset.
U
Undisclosed #4
Oct 23, 2021Is there a fourth option?
1) Issue dual cards to everyone.
2) Replace readers one by one.
3) When all readers are replaced, collect old cards.
UI
Undisclosed Integrator #5
Jan 30, 2023Migrating from 125 kHz credentials to more secure credentials is necessary for ensuring the security of facilities, but it can be a challenging process due to cost and compatibility issues. There are three common migration paths - replacing all cards and readers immediately, installing multi-function readers and gradually replacing cards, and installing separate readers and gradually replacing cards. Each method has its own pros and cons and the choice of method will depend on factors such as cost, speed, and system impact. When choosing a migration path, it is important to consider the level of security improvement, the cost, and the impact on the system.
SN
Shawn Nichols
Feb 10, 2023When we do most of our new/cutover installs, we approach the cost up front and they decide to do a one and done even if the cost is more up front. Savings in the end.