Cable Modem Hacking Guide
Cable Modem Hacking Guide
Below are the instructions on how to perform this hack. Written by DerEngel provided by
MonkeyWrencher.
E-mail Monkeywrencher@theoryshare.com
Version 2.0
Incase your not familiar what this is, Cable companies put “Caps” on the
cable modems of the customers on their systems. These caps are enforced to
ensure everyone has a fast and reliable connection to the internet. Or cable
companies wants to Tier your service, for example sell you certain speed
configuration at a price but also offer faster configurations for more. These
Caps tell the modem how fast it can Send and Receive data.
So to uncap your modem, you need to change this file. Surfboard modems,
as well as 3com Sharkfin modems have a big flaw in the original firmware’s.
When the modem starts up, bridge forwarding from the Ethernet port is
enabled. If you have connected a computer with the TCP/IP protocol’s
address set the same as the cable systems TFTP address, the modem will
request the configuration file from the Ethernet port instead of the coaxial
connection.
Rumors have spread around that this flaw in the system was actually put
there in testing when the modems were being designed and manufactured.
That is why this exploit of the modem usually only works with Surfboards,
because most cable modems will not request the config file from the Ethernet
port.
Once your modem has downloaded the config from from you, the modem
will function just as normal, however the speed settings will be changed.
Keep in mind that your speed can never go faster than you can physically
get. Noise to decibel plays a big part in this, if you are 10 miles away from
your ISP (or from your local NODE’s Coax to fiber Router) you will
probably surf slower than someone who is 1 mile away.
This guide will show and explore how to exploit this and take advantage of
your cable modem. Enjoy
STEP 1:
First, we need to find your TFTP server, this can be done many ways.
In Query, your boot file's name should be display. (But sometimes, it does not)
DocsDiag can also show you the name of your file. A tutorial for it can be found Here.
Now for most modems, you can find the boot file name in the Logs of your modem.
The logs can be found here. http://192.168.100.1/logs.html
7-
D509.0 Retrieved TFTP Config config_silver.cm SUCCESS
Information
config_silver.cm is the Name of your Boot file (This file name WILL Vary from provider)
Note: If non of these methods work for you, jump to Step 6 for an alternative way.
Or try and use the Ethereal Solution.
Ethereal is a network interface sniffer, it sniffs network data packets. Using this application
you can view the packets your ISP sends to your cable modem.
Install Ethereal, note: you may have to install libraries or runtime files to run it. Once you
have it running.
Click on Capture and Hit Start, this will bring up the options window you see below.
Make sure your Interface is your network interface card.
If you have multiple Network cards, make sure you select
the one that is connected to your modem. Next, make sure UDP
is typed into the Filter box. And finally, Check "Update list of packets in real time".
Now this process might take some time, but you will eventually see packets from your ISP
server to your modem, or to other modems. The packets you are looking for will be of
Protocol SNMP, the destination is usually 255.255.255.255. When you find the packet, take
a look at the ASCII and inside that should be concealed the IP of your TFTP server and the
config name of your ISP.
Other notes, You will also be able to pick up the packets for business modems as well, that
is, you will be able to see the config file name for faster configuration files. However,
sometimes you will only be able to sniff them if they are on the same NODE as you.
STEP 2:
You can use the TCNiSO Step 2 Software to download your config
You can also retrieve your config from the Command Prompt.
For example, if your DHCP server is 24.25.26.1, your boot file is silver.cm you would
type tftp -i 24.25.26.1 GET silver.cm C:\silver.cm
Since ISP's can enable there systems to only let cable modems download the files, you
can try to "Spoof" your cable modems HFC Address. This can be done.
The principle behind this technique is to make your computer look like your modem. The
first thing you need to know is your HFC Gateway (the one you use to browse the
internet)
You can get your HFC address by using your modems Internal Website
Once you have that information, you need to change your computers IPs.
Change your IP to the IP of HFC Address, and then add 1 to your D Class.
For example, if your HFC Address was 10.2.65.3 then you change your IP to 10.2.65.4
Technically you could use any number in your D class, so if the number was 255 you could go to 254.
Now that you have changed your IP, you should be able to use the above programs or
methods to retrieve your config. Once you have your config you can change your IP back
or
move ahead to Step 3.
Note: When you change your IP address you may not be able to surf web pages.
You can check out the Alternative HFC Spoofing technique here.
STEP 3:
Edit your config file using TCNiSO's own config editor called Docsis32Pro (byter)
This software makes it really easy to open up a config and change the speed values.
You can find a copy of it in the Software section.
For more Advanced users who wants to play with more settings. Or to create your
own basic config file. Get ConfigEdit by need2down. You can also use this to create
a config file in the event you don't have one. In the future we will release a easy to
understand manual for all of the OID's, SNMP Objects and expressions.
MaxRateDown and MaxRateUp is your download and upload speeds, these values
are displayed in bits. So 10000000 equals 10Mbits. Edit your MRD and MRU to
your likings. Do not make these values unreasonable high.
MaxCPE is the number of devices you can connect to the modem. For example, if
you dont own a router but have a hub, you can connect extra computers to the
modem.
CmMic and CmtsMic are Check sum values for the config. Any line containing this
should
be removed.
SnmpMibObject .1.3.6.1.2.1.69.1.2.1.7.1 = 4; that is, any line that contains this, with
a number after the,
values, can be deleted or the "=" replaced with the word "Integer"
Once you edit your config, make sure you name it the same as your original, this new
file is placed in your existing directory.
STEP 4:
Trouble Shooting Tip: Some times you need to unplug your modem
when you change your IP. This has been reported to work on some
machines when the normal method did not work.
Before: After:
Click OK and your machine will make the changes without restarting
Windows 98 Users:
First you need to disable your Network Interface Card (NIC). Right-Click on "My
Computer", go to properties. Then Go to the device managers tab and find your NIC
Card under the Network Adapters.
Find your NIC Card and click Properties. And under Device Usage, Check "Disable
in this hardware profile". Click Ok then Click Close.
Under your network properties, find your TCP/IP Protocol and Click properties.
Under the IP Address tab, Click Specify IP Address and fill in your TFTP Server IP
and Subnet mask. Next Click the Gateway tab and add 192.168.100.1. When
prompted to restart, Click NO.
Now, once you change your IP, return to the Device Manager, and Enable your NIC
Card.
Once your NIC Card is functioning again. Click Close. Proceed to Step 5.
STEP 5:
Step 5: Setup a TFTP on Your System And Upload the New Config
Now that we have a computer setup with the IP of the TFTP Server, you must setup
and install a TFTP Server. Once the Server is configured, the Cable Modem needs to
be restarted, when the modem boots up, it should download the config from the
server.
This application is really easy to use, just set your path of your config and click Start
Server. Note: This application also pings your modem while attempting to send the
file. (This is sometimes necessary for some modems.) And it also sets the Time of
Day on your modem.
You can also use tftpd32.exe. When you first run it, make sure it says "Listening on
port 69" Before you make any changes to the Settings Tab.
Unplug your modem then plug it back in. Your Power light should come on and start
Flashing. Now notice your TFTP32.exe main Window. It should Say that your
Modem is Asking for that Boot file, and your Server should Send it to your Modem.
If your modem asks for any additional files, unplug your modem Copy and Paste
your Boot file in your C: and Rename it to the file it was asking for.
As you can see, your modem should Request the file (in this case isrrlP1BW1.bin)
And
Your computer should send out the file it requests. If your modem accepts the edited
file. You modem now has the edited file and is uncapped.
Trouble Shooting Tip: If your modem requests the boot file several
times, this is usually an error. The first thing you should do, is Check
the modems logs and try to determine what that error is. If you see an
error called 1-Emergency D8.0 TFTP Complete, but failed Integrity
Check (MIC) This is the error that Invalid MD5 check is required. Try
and use the MD5 Remover from the software section. Also, some
users with SB3100's have had to ping their modems while they
restarted it. To do this go into your command prompt and type "ping -t
192.168.100.1"
Copyright 2002 - DerEngel - CableModemHack.com in association with TCNiSO
STEP 6:
Click OK, and your computer will go should now return and should be online.
With your modem running a new config file. You should you should be able to
download and upload the maximum values physically possible. My favorite part. To
test your connection, try to upload a MP3 or a file to a friend, or go visit a very fast
website. Note: Some websites might not have enough bandwidth open for you to get
fast speeds to.
Most Cable modems are not capped on the downstream, some are. Speeds will vary
from your location and quality of your cable. If you found this Page useful or have
ANY Questions, don't hesitate to Email me. If you want to help out, please donate 5$
through PayPal. Email Address: tcnisodonations@hushmail.com - It shows us your
appreciation for all the hard work we have put into this project. One on One help can
be available, also Visit our IRC Chan, we have much to offer for capped or uncapped
people alike.
If your Modem's Activity light is still on and you cannot seem to connect to the
internet.
Your Config file might Possibly be incorrect. Unplug your modem, Turn off your
TFTP
server, Plug back in your modem. Also, every time your modems power is cycled,
you will need to Setup a TFTP Server to Resend the the edited config. Also keep in
mind that
there is new firmware floating around that ISP's can use to re-cap you permanently.
So don't forget to check out the Firmware section.
Monkeywrencher