View source for Setting Up Ubertooth on macOS for Bluetooth Hacking

== Summary == 

This is a step-by-step guide on how to sniff Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) packets between a Polar Vantage Smartwatch and a phone using the Ubertooth One. It will go into detail on the setup on a MacBook Air with MacOS using a python environment for the libraries that are used for the setup. Additionally every step of the actual sniff will be outlined. This guide is based on the seminar paper "Smartwatch Hacking Attack" that was written within the FH-course "Selected IT-Security Chapters".

== Requirements ==

* Hardware tools: Ubertooth One: Firmware version: 2020-12-R1 (API:1.07)
* Unix-based Operating System: macOS (macOS Sequoia 15.1.1), on a MacBook Air with an Apple M1 chip.
* Virtual Environment: Python Environment: Python 3.12
* Packages: libusb, wget, cmake, pkg-config, setuptools, pyqt5, numpy
* Libraries: libbtbb, bleak
* Software Tools: Crackle

For the setup this guide was used and adjusted to the given scenario. [[https://ubertooth.readthedocs.io/en/latest/build_guide.html Ubertooth - Build Guide]].

== Description ==

=== Step 1 - Install homebrew ===

Enter these commands in the shell

 /bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"
 eval "$(/opt/homebrew/bin/brew shellenv)"

=== Step 2 - Install Python Environment ===

Enter these commands in the shell

 python3.12 -m venv myenv
 source myenv/bin/activate

=== Step 3 - Install libusb, wget, cmake, pkg-config ===

Enter these commands in the shell

 brew install libusb wget cmake pkg-config

=== Step 4 - Install the Bluetooth baseband library ===

Enter these commands in the shell

 wget https://github.com/greatscottgadgets/libbtbb/archive/2020-12-R1.tar.gz -O libbtbb-2020-12-R1.tar.gz
 tar -xf libbtbb-2020-12-R1.tar.gz
 cd libbtbb-2020-12-R1
 mkdir build
 cd build
 cmake ..
 make

If errors occur with installing distutils switch to setuptools instead.

 pip install setuptools

After installing the setuptools also change the "from distutils import setup" line in the the libbtbb-2020-12-R1/build/python/pcaptools/setup.py file to this:

 from setuptools import setup

Also update the version in that same file to this:

 version = '2020.12.R1'

If necessary set the pythonpath in case you have different python versions:
 
 export PYTHONPATH=/Users/<username>/myenv/lib/python3.12/site-packages:$PYTHONPATH

Then retry:

 make

 sudo make install

=== Step 5 - Install the Ubertooth repository ===

For this part you can attach the Ubertooth One to the MacBook. BUT DO NOT USE WITHOUT ANTENNA! More information can be found here: [[https://ubertooth.readthedocs.io/en/latest/ubertooth_one.html Ubertooth - Read the docs]]


Enter these commands in the shell

 wget https://github.com/greatscottgadgets/ubertooth/releases/download/2020-12-R1/ubertooth-2020-12-R1.tar.xz
 tar -xf ubertooth-2020-12-R1.tar.xz
 cd ubertooth-2020-12-R1/host
 mkdir build
 cd build
 cmake ..
 make

If libusb module not found errors occur go to ubertooth-2020-12-R1/host/CMakeLists.txt an add your libusb-path manually:

 include_directories(/opt/homebrew/include)
 link_directories(/opt/homebrew/lib)

Additionally again change the "from distutils import setup" line in the the ubertooth-2020-12-R1/host/build/python/specan_ui/setup.py file to this:

 from setuptools import setup

Also update the version in that same file to this:

 version = '2020.12.R1'

Then retry:

 make

 sudo make install

If you get errors regarding the environment variables showing that your library wasnt found you need to set the library path via the MacOs's dynamic linker.

 export DYLD_LIBRARY_PATH="/usr/local/lib:$DYLD_LIBRARY_PATH"

or make it persistent in shell configurations: 

 ~/.zshrc

Afterwards confirm the ubertooth library is working correctly:

 ubertooth-util

=== Step 6 - Test Ubertooth One commands ===

Test these commands:

 ubertooth-util -H
 ubertooth-util -v
 ubertooth-util -p
 ubertooth-util -s

Update Ubertooth firmware in ubertooth-2020-12-R1/ubertooth-one-firmware-bin:

 sudo ubertooth-dfu -d bluetooth_rxtx.dfu -r

In case the libubertooth library is not loading check if the paths are correct.

In ubertooth-2020-12-R1/host the following command leads to getting a list of sniffed Bluetooth packets with their Lower Address Parts (LAP):

 ubertooth-rx

For collecting Upper Address Parts (UAP) from the captured packets add -z:

 ubertooth-rx -z

Let it run for a while and look at the output. It will be summarized as Survey Results at the end of the output. There you can see the significant part of Bluetooth addresses of devices that were scanned. 

=== Step 7 - Use BTLE to follow the connection of the Bluetooth device you found. (Replace with device Bluetooth Address) ===

 ubertooth-btle -f B0:67:B5:CF:E5:10 -r test.pcap

Or create a pipe for viewing the captures directly in Wireshark:

 mkfifo /tmp/pipe
 ubertooth-btle -f B0:67:B5:CF:E5:10 -c /tmp/pipe

Find packages that involve the Polar Smartwatch

 systime=1728247529 freq=2402 addr=8e89bed6 delta_t=34.320 ms rssi=-60
 20 1b c9 28 84 1a 9e a0 02 01 06 03 02 ee fe 0d ff 6b 00 72 08 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 47 e9 1f 
 Advertising / AA 8e89bed6 (valid)/ 27 bytes
     Channel Index: 37
     Type:  ADV_IND
     AdvA:  a0:9e:1a:84:28:c9 (public)
     AdvData: 02 01 06 03 02 ee fe 0d ff 6b 00 72 08 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
         Type 01 (Flags)
            00000110
                LE General Discoverable Mode
                BR/EDR Not Supported
         Type 02 (16-bit Service UUIDs, more available)
            feee
         Type ff (Manufacturer Specific Data)
            Company: Polar Electro OY
            Data: 72 08 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
     Data:  c9 28 84 1a 9e a0 02 01 06 03 02 ee fe 0d ff 6b 00 72 08 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
     CRC:   47 e9 1f

=== Step 8 - Use Crackle to crack packages ===

Enter these commands:

 git clone https://github.com/mikeryan/crackle.git
 cd crackle
 make

Now try cracking your pcap.file

 ./crackle -i <your_file.pcap> -o <your_new_output_file.pcap>

In this case it wasnt possible to crack any packages from the smartwatch.

=== Step 9 - Install bleak library ===

 pip install bleak

More information can be found in the bleak library documentation. [[https://bleak.readthedocs.io/en/latest/usage.html Bleak library]] It also includes sample scripts which were used in the following setup.

=== Step 10 - Write python script for reading device UUID ===

Enter these commands in the shell

 mkdir BLE-scripts
 cd BLE-scripts
 nano ble_scan.py

Write simple script to read device UUID using BleakScaner.discover() method:
 
 import asyncio
 from bleak import BleakScanner
 async def scan():
     devices = await BleakScanner.discover()
     for d in devices:
         print(d)
 asyncio.run(scan())

Run a scan:

 python3 BLE-scripts/ble_scan.py

Here the device UUID of the Polar smartwatch was found:

 C6C36C4A-7F8F-52B2-2BD7-C4F6690424E7: Polar Vantage M 8428C92D

=== Step 11 - Check GATT services  ===

With the gathered device UUID check for the devices services:

 nano BLE-scripts/ble_services.py

 import asyncio
 from bleak import BleakClient
 device_uuid = "C6C36C4A-7F8F-52B2-2BD7-C4F6690424E7"
 async def connect_to_device(device_uuid):
     async with BleakClient(device_uuid) as client:
         connected = client.is_connected
         print(f"Connected: {connected}")
         services = client.services
         if services is None:
             await client.get_services()
         for service in services:
             print(f"Service: {service}")
 loop = asyncio.get_event_loop()
 loop.run_until_complete(connect_to_device(device_uuid))

Run a services scan:

 python3 BLE-scripts/ble_services.py

Now the service UUIDs that were found are going to be listed like this:

 Service: 0000180a-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb (Handle: 14): Device Information
 Service: 0000feee-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb (Handle: 29): Polar Electro Oy
 Service: 0000180d-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb (Handle: 38): Heart Rate
 Service: 0000180f-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb (Handle: 42): Battery Service

=== Step 12 - Get characteristics UUIDs  ===

 nano BLE-scripts/ble_characteristics.py

 import asyncio
 from bleak import BleakClient
 device_uuid = "C6C36C4A-7F8F-52B2-2BD7-C4F6690424E7"
 async def connect_to_device(device_uuid):
     async with BleakClient(device_uuid) as client:
         connected = client.is_connected
         print(f"Connected: {connected}")
         services = client.services
         if services is None:
             await client.get_services()
         for service in services:
             print(f"Service: {service.uuid} (Handle: {service.handle}): {service.description}")
             for characteristic in service.characteristics:
                 print(f"  Characteristic: {characteristic.uuid} (Handle: {characteristic.handle}) - Properties: {cha$
 loop = asyncio.get_event_loop()
 loop.run_until_complete(connect_to_device(device_uuid))

Now run the script:

 python3 BLE-scripts/ble_characteristics.py

Expected output:

 Service: 0000180a-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb (Handle: 14): Device Information
  Characteristic: 00002a29-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb (Handle: 15) - Properties: ['read']
  Characteristic: 00002a24-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb (Handle: 17) - Properties: ['read']
  Characteristic: 00002a25-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb (Handle: 19) - Properties: ['read']
  Characteristic: 00002a27-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb (Handle: 21) - Properties: ['read']
  Characteristic: 00002a26-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb (Handle: 23) - Properties: ['read']
  Characteristic: 00002a28-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb (Handle: 25) - Properties: ['read']
  Characteristic: 00002a23-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb (Handle: 27) - Properties: ['read']
 Service: 0000feee-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb (Handle: 29): Polar Electro Oy
  Characteristic: fb005c51-02e7-f387-1cad-8acd2d8df0c8 (Handle: 30) - Properties: ['write-without-response', 'write', 'notify']
  Characteristic: fb005c52-02e7-f387-1cad-8acd2d8df0c8 (Handle: 33) - Properties: ['notify']
  Characteristic: fb005c53-02e7-f387-1cad-8acd2d8df0c8 (Handle: 36) - Properties: ['write-without-response', 'write']
 Service: 0000180d-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb (Handle: 38): Heart Rate
  Characteristic: 00002a37-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb (Handle: 39) - Properties: ['notify']
 Service: 0000180f-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb (Handle: 42): Battery Service
  Characteristic: 00002a19-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb (Handle: 43) - Properties: ['read', 'notify']

=== Step 13 - Read data ===

Now add a script for reading the actual data. Make sure to use the characteristics UUIDs you have found out.

 nano BLE-scripts/ble_read.py

 import asyncio
 from bleak import BleakClient
 device_uuid = "C6C36C4A-7F8F-52B2-2BD7-C4F6690424E7"
 HEART_RATE_CHAR_UUID = "00002a37-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb"
 BATTERY_LEVEL_CHAR_UUID = "00002a19-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb"
 async def connect_and_read_data(device_uuid):
     async with BleakClient(device_uuid) as client:
         connected = client.is_connected
         print(f"Connected: {connected}")
         if connected:
             try:
                 heart_rate = await client.read_gatt_char(HEART_RATE_CHAR_UUID)
                 heart_rate = int(heart_rate_data[1])
                 print(f"Heart Rate: {heart_rate} bpm")
             except Exception as e:
                 print(f"Failed to read heart rate: {e}")
             try:
                 battery_level = await client.read_gatt_char(BATTERY_LEVEL_CHAR_UUID)
                 print(f"Battery Level: {int(battery_level[0])}%")
             except Exception as e:
                 print(f"Failed to read battery level: {e}")
 loop = asyncio.get_event_loop()
 loop.run_until_complete(connect_and_read_data(device_uuid))

Run script:

 python3 BLE-scripts/ble_read.py

In the output the battery level was succesfully read and printed out. The heart rate couldn't be accessed because it only has the notify property and no option for reading:

 Connected: True
 Failed to read heart rate: Failed to read characteristic 39: Error Domain=CBATTErrorDomain Code=2 "Reading is not permitted." UserInfo={NSLocalizedDescription=Reading is not permitted.}
 Battery Level: 16%

=== Step 14 - Subscribe to heart rate notifications ===

 nano BLE-scripts/ble_subscribe.py

 import asyncio
 from bleak import BleakClient
 device_uuid = "C6C36C4A-7F8F-52B2-2BD7-C4F6690424E7"
 HEART_RATE_CHAR_UUID = "00002a37-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb"
 def heart_rate_handler(sender, data):
     heart_rate = int(data[1]) if len(data) > 1 else None
     print(f"Heart Rate from {sender}: {heart_rate} bpm")
 async def connect_and_subscribe(device_uuid):
     async with BleakClient(device_uuid) as client:
         connected = client.is_connected
         print(f"Connected: {connected}")
         if connected:
             try:
                 await client.start_notify(HEART_RATE_CHAR_UUID, heart_rate_handler)
                 print("Subscribed to heart rate notifications.")
                 await asyncio.sleep(60)
                 await client.stop_notify(HEART_RATE_CHAR_UUID)
                 print("Stopped heart rate notifications.")
             except Exception as e:
                 print(f"Failed to subscribe to heart rate notifications: {e}")
 asyncio.run(connect_and_subscribe(device_uuid))

 python3 BLE-scripts/ble_subscribe.py

It was not possible to get the heart rate data even though the notify property was assigned. That is because typically battery status data is on a lower securiy level than heart rate data. More information on GATT can be found here: https://www.bluetooth.com/de/bluetooth-resources/intro-to-bluetooth-gap-gatt/

This is the output of the failed try:

 Connected: True
 Subscribed to heart rate notifications.
 Stopped heart rate notifications.

== Used Hardware ==

* [[Ubertooth One, 2.4 GHz wireless development platform]]

* [[Polar Vantage M]]

* [[Apple iPhone 13 mini]]

* [[MacBook Air M1, 2020]]

* [[Samsung Galaxy J3]]

== Courses ==

* [[Selected IT-Security Chapters]] (2024)

== Author ==

Are Maksimović

== References ==

* https://ubertooth.readthedocs.io/en/latest/
* https://www.greatscottgadgets.com/ubertoothone/
* https://codemuch.net/posts/bluetooth-hacking/
* https://bleak.readthedocs.io/en/latest/usage.html
* https://www.bluetooth.com/de/bluetooth-resources/intro-to-bluetooth-gap-gatt/
* https://support.polar.com/en/vantage-m#all
* https://wiki.elvis.science/index.php?title=B-LE_-_GATT_Architectural_Overview

[[Category:Documentation]]