defcon 21 defcon z

8/11/2019 Defcon 21 Defcon z

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Defcon Z05/16/2013Matt Wood

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Cat opened her eyes slowly. Everything was blurry, smoke everywhere. Herears were ringing, but she could still hear moans from the survivors. She triedto focus on her surroundings. Smoke, blood, and bodies were everywhere, strewnacross the massive room. She tried to push herself up, but as she put pressure on her arm, pain shot through her right wrist. It was shattered. Then fear coursed through her when she couldnt see her sister anywhere. Wheres Maggie? Maggie!she creamed. Her eyes were burning from smoke and tears.

Maggie, her 18 year old sister, was coming with Cat to her first hackerconference. Cat had been coming to Defcon for the last five years and her littlesister had been begging to come since she was 14. They had flown out to Las Vegas together just yesterday to attend Defcon 42. It was supposed to be the biggest, most exciting Defcon conference yet. They thought it was going to be the perfect weekend.-------------------------------------------------------------

It started out just as theyd planned. The flight was smooth all the way from New York. They touched down at McCarran International Airport right on timeand caught a taxi to their hotel, a new mega-casino and resort called the Treven

o. As they rode down the Strip on the way to the hotel, Maggie was giddy with excitement. Shed never been to Las Vegas or a hacker conference before.

Cat and Maggie were checking in when the heads up display on Cats glasseslit up, Call from Dad.She tapped the side of her glasses and answered the call, Hey dad. Whats up?

I see you guys made it to your hotel in one piece.

Dad! I disabled the GPS on these things so you wouldnt be tracking our every move.Cat looked to her sister and rolled her eyes.

I know you did, kitten, but just because you and your sister are two of t

he best hackers of your generation doesnt mean the old man doesnt still have a couple tricks up his sleeve.

Cat tapped the side of her glasses again and saw that the built in GPS was still disabled. You hacked the hotel didnt you.

Her dad chuckled. Guilty as charged.

You know dad, just because you work at the Cyber Command doesnt mean you have a blank check. You can still get in trouble.

Says the pot to the kettle. Just promise me youll be careful and watch outfor your sister.

Im always careful, dad. You know that. And Maggies a big girl. She can hand

le herself.Maggie mouthed thank you to her older sister. But Cat then turns herback and whispers, I promise dad.

Thanks darlin. Love to you and Mags. You two have a great time.

Cat taps the rim of her glasses once more to end the call. Can you believe him? Hes been to a hundred of these conferences, travels around the world to god-knows-where and HEs worried about US.


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Maggie says, Yeah, but you know how he is. He says he worries because he

knows too much.

I know, I know. Ignorance is bliss.They both start laughing.

Hey Cat!

Cat turns to see her old mentor, the High Wizard. Wiz! Holy shit, you look awesome! Last time I saw you, you looked like death warmed over.

Yeah, well I got better.He smiled.

I can see that. Hey Wiz, this is my little sister Maggie. Maggie, this isthe High Wizard. Hes one of the organizers of Defcon. She looked at her friend. Youve been coming here how long?

Too long.Wiz took Maggies hand warmly, Cats little sister? The same littlonster you said hacked your impenetrable fortress?

Maggie beamed with pride. The very one!

Well, this is an honor. If youre half the hacker your sister is the worldis in a lot of trouble.

Maggie shook her head, Oh no. Im a white hat. Only the bad guys need to worry.

The High Wizard grinned, then turned his attention back to Cat. So, are you two coming to the big demo tomorrow?

Cat answered, Wouldnt miss it. But I read up on it and it doesnt really seem plausible. Injecting nanites into your brain stem? Seems like overkill just soyou can literally plug yourself in.

Oh theres a million possibilities with this technology,Wiz replied. Youre ust reading whats been leaked by one of their investors. This will be much more t

han an immersive gaming application.If you say so,Cat said skeptically. I just know that after working 14 hour

s straight, I want to unplug from everything. I dont think Id want little robots swarming in my head all the time.

The Wiz grinned again. All right then. I have some things to attend to.Hetook Maggies hand again, Maggie, it was a pleasure meeting you.He turned to her sister, Cat, Im looking forward to hearing your thoughts after the demonstration.

You know me Wiz, Ill give you all my thoughts whether you want them or not.

The High Wizard nodded and walked off into the growing crowd in the lobby.

He seems nice,Maggie said as she watched him disappear into the crowd.

Yeah, and smart as hell. Still, something seemed off.

Off? Like what?

Well, for one thing, the last time I saw him he was nothing but skin and


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bones. Hed been diagnosed with some muscular disorder. Today he looks like he wasnever even sick. And, I dont know. He just seems different.

Maggie shrugged off her sisters concerns. Well, I for one am ready to go to our room. I want to shower up and get pretty for the parties tonight.

Cat nodded in agreement. Yeah, youre right. Lets go.-------------------------------------------------------------

Two mid-level hackers were sitting in their room at the Trevino, drinking beer and bragging to each other about their abilities.

Dude, Im telling you, I can do it. It wouldnt be that hard.

I dont know man. I read the encryption was unbreakable.

Dude, Ive got this new algorithm. It can break any encryption. Once I getin, itll be a piece of cake.

Man, whered you get this algorithm?

Dude, Im not telling you. Ive gotta have some secrets. But watch, tomorrowafter the demo, Ill be famous.

The other hacker shook his head. Man, dont you know if youre a good hacker,youre NEVER famous.

Whatever dude. Im going to blow this thing a part. Youll see.-------------------------------------------------------------

Later that night, Cat and Maggie went to the Avin Ball Room for the first of manyparties that night. As they entered the double doors many heads turned as theywere two of the most beautiful women in the room that night. They walked through the crowded ball room toward the bar.

After ordering their drinks, they scanned the crowd looking for familiarfaces, Cat seeing an occasional acquaintance and smiling in their direction. Af

ter a few minutes, Cat saw The High Wizard sitting at a table in the corner talking to an older gentleman, who was rather plump, gray and balding. She took Maggies hand and they made their way to the table.

Hey Wiz, seems like a good party to start the night.

The older hacker looked up, at first seeming irritated then smiled as hesaw the two beauties. Cat, Maggie, please join us. Cat and Maggie sat down at the table with the two men.

Ladies, Id like you to meet Dr. Erik Blystad. Hes one of the inventors of the nanotechnology that will be demonstrated tomorrow.

Dr. Blystad stood and took Cats hand. She couldnt believe how gentle his grasp was. Madam, its a pleasure to meet you.He turned his attention to Maggie, this time taking her hand in both of his. Miss.

Maggie was the first to speak, Dr. Blystad, its an honor. Ive read about your work and its amazing. Will you be demonstrating it live tomorrow?

The doctor beamed with joy. Of course! This demonstration will show majorbreak throughs weve had, not only in nanotechnology, but in physics and medicine. You wont believe the things weve achieved my dear.


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For instance?Cat spoke up.

Me,said the High Wizard.

Cat looked at him, confused. You? I dont understand.

Wiz smiled and stood up. Look at me Cat. You were dead on when you said I

looked like death warmed over the last time you saw me. Theyd given me 3 monthsto live. There was no cure I was told. But I met Dr. Blystad and he started treatments with his nanobots.

Wait, what? I thought these things were created so that you could interact more efficiently with technology.

Ah, that was the original intent,the Doctor interjected. But we discoveredthrough our work that the nanobots bond with their hosts in ways we couldnt haveimagined. They actually will rebuild damaged cells.

Cat and Maggie turned their attention back to Wiz. He smiled and noddedin affirmation. Ive never felt better, Cat. I feel 20 years younger and I can go for days without sleep. I just dont seem to need it.

Thats amazing,Maggie spoke up. But what are you demoing tomorrow then, and

why at Defcon?Can you think of a better place?Dr. Blystad answered. You have some of the

best minds in technology from around the world here. By introducing my nanobotsto this community, it will open up even more possibilities.

Or a Pandoras box,Cat said.

Maggie playfully smacked Cats arm. Cat, youre always so cynical.

Dont get me wrong, the technology is amazing, and Wiz, I couldnt be happierfor you. Im just not sure that this is the best venue to be demonstrating it.

The doctor half smiled and said, I assure you madam, there is nothing tobe concerned about.-------------------------------------------------------------

At 10 AM the next morning the room was packed. It was the largest ball room that they had at the Trevino, but it was standing room only. Luckily for Cat and Maggie, they had friends in high places, so they had a front row seat forthe demonstration. Sitting in front of the stage they could see some of the latest and greatest hardware, with huge screens for the crowd to see. Both were wishing they could get their hands on the technology in front of them.

A few minutes after 10, the High Wizard strode out on the stage. Okay everyone, please settle down and listen up.The crowd quickly started quieting down.

All right, Im not going to give some long winded intro to who our featured guestis. If youre sitting out there, you probably already know who he is. Ladies and gentlemen, Dr. Erik Blystad.

The crowd stood and gave a thunderous applause for the doctor as he cameout on stage. The High Wizard stepped back and let the doctor wave and take a couple of bows. After a few moments, the applause started to die down and the doctor said, Thank you. Thank you for the warm welcome. I am honored to be here today to demonstrate what I believe will be the biggest breakthrough in technology this century.


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The doctor continued his speech, giving a brief history of the research

and a 10,000 foot view of the technology involved as the two hackers sat about half way back. One was listening when he noticed the other working intently on his tablet.

What are you doing?

Youll see in a few minutes.

Come on man. Let me see.

The other hacker let him glance at his tablet. What the hell is that?

Im running the algorithm I told you about. Im trying to crack the encryption code up there. I scanned it and theres a mini-network connected wirelessly up there and in a couple minutes, Ill be in it.

Then what?

Im going to plant a little surprise. Nothing serious. Just a little worm thatll show everyone I was there.

Dude, are you nuts? If we get caught, well get kicked out of hereor worse.

Relax dude, were not going to get caught. Well be long gone by the time thefigure out what Ive done.

Dr. Blystad concluded his speech and said, Now, ladies and gentlemen, what youve been waiting for.The doctor took a step to the side and motioned to a chair in front of the tech sitting up on the stage. The Wiz walked casually over and sat down. The screens lit up and the crowd could see the start screen for thelatest and 100th version of, Call of Duty.

Cat looked at Maggie and whispered, I knew it. Pander to the gamers first.

Then, the game seemed to come to life on its own. No one apparently wasusing a controller. The doctor spoke up. What you see ladies and gentlemen is theHigh Wiz controlling this game completely with his mind, thanks to the nanotechnology we have injected into him. He can run, jump, turn, and shoot just by thinking it. Just imagine what other applications this technology can be used for.The crowd cheered in response.

After a few minutes of avatars running around and shooting each other onthe giant screen, the game ended. Another screen came up and it appeared to bea simple terminal window. Suddenly commands started appearing on the screen. Again, the doctor spoke, What youre seeing now is his mind telling the computers exactly what he wants them to do, right down to the commands you see in front of you.

Cat and Maggie looked at each other again and Maggie whispered, Where do

I sign up? I want some of those little bitches so I can fuck some shit up.Cat had to bite her lip to keep from bursting out laughing.

Suddenly a troll avatar jumped up on the giant screen. Some people in the crowd started to laugh, but the doctor seemed annoyed and confused. He lookedto the Wiz who was sitting motionless in the chair, just staring straight ahead.The doctor walked in front of him and snapped his fingers, but there was no response. Cat noticed the concern on the doctors face and how oddly bland The Wizs ey


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es looked. Almost like he was.

Blood started dripping from his nose and eyes. The drips started to turninto a stream. The doctor leaned over and grabbed the Wiz by the shoulders, Whatswrong with you?

Suddenly the blank stare turned to one of fury. A blood curdling screamcame from the High Wiz as he reached up and ripped out the doctors throat.

Some people screamed, some sat in stunned silence, while others startedto run for the exits. An armed guard who was standing near one of the doors rushed up to the stage. He pulled out his gun as the Wiz stood and looked over the doctors flinching corpse.

Freeze right there!the guard shouted. Wiz started walking toward the guard. I said freeze!The Wiz let out another wail. The guard shot. Once, twice, threetimes in the chest. Each shot knocked back the Wiz a foot or so, but he kept coming, unfazed by the shots. He started to run toward the guard when another shotrang out. This time the guard shot him in the forehead. The Wiz dropped to thefloor.

While others were panicking and streaming toward the doors, Cat and Maggie ran up to the stage. The guard was already kneeling by the Wizs body.

God damn. I aint never seen anything like that in my life,he said and looked over to Cat and Maggie as they approached. Then Cat saw something she couldntbelieve. The Wizs wound to his head sealed up and stopped bleeding. His eyes suddenly opened and he gurgled a quiet growl.

Cat and Maggie stopped in their tracks as the guard looked back down atwhat he thought was a corpse. The Wiz reached up and grabbed the guard by the back of the head and jerked his face down to his. He ripped into the mans face withhis teeth. The guard screamed in pain and horror as the Wiz proceeded to manglehim.

The two women backed away slowly, horrified but unable to run. Finally Cat grabbed Maggies hand, Come on!They turned and started to run for the exit. Magg

ie turned her head and saw Cats former mentor start to rise up off the now dead security guard and set his sights on them. Maggie screamed and the women jumped off the stage to head for the nearest door.

The crowd in the giant ball room was still substantial. There were too many people and not enough exits. Cat and Maggie ran into a wall of frightened people.

Cat looked back to see the Wiz attacking another person. The unfortunatevictim yelled and tried to fight off the former hacker turned monster, but theWiz was too powerful and was ripping into his flesh.

Maggie grabbed Cats arm and yelled, Cat look!She pointed toward the stage

where the Wiz had killed Dr. Blystad and the security guard. The guard was standing there, his face was mostly gone, one eye dangling from its socket, but he was upright and moving down off the stage. What the fuck!Maggie yelled.

The mutilated guard ran for the closest person he could see with his onegood eye. He grabbed a petite girl with rainbow colored hair and tore into herwith his teeth. Her friends tried to pull the bloody hulking guard off of her but he wouldnt let go. Finally, after she went limp, he turned his attention to oneof her friends. He tried to beat the guard off of him, but he seemed too strongand started ripping him apart.


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The crowd continued their panicked exit out of the few doors in the room

. On the other side of the doors more security guards tried to fight their way in, but couldnt get through the crowd.

The monster formerly known as The High Wizard had moved on to other victims, ripping into each one. Cat and Maggie looked around the massive room. Theyknew there was no way to get out through the people trying to squeeze through the exit doors. Cat saw a door with a cypher lock on it. She grabbed Maggies hand, Come on!and pulled her to the door.

Cat pulled out her tablet and a small cable. She plugged it in to the cypher lock on the door and in a few moments, they were inside a utility closet. Cat slammed the door shut behind them and Maggie found a light switch and flippedit on. Cowering in the corner were two young male hackers. One appeared to be crying. Maggie kneeled in front of the weeping young hacker. He was sitting withhis knees up, hugging his legs and rocking back and forth. Itll be ok fella. Well be all right in here. The cavalry will be here soon.

Thats not why hes crying,the other young hacker said. All this is his fau

Cat and Maggie looked confused. Cat said, What? How can this be his fault?

He wanted to make a name for himself. He broke the encryption they were using during the demo and planted some worm.

Now Cat looked angry. Worm! What worm?

The young hacker looked down at his friend, I dont know. Something he found on the Dark Web.

The crying hacker kept rocking and crying and was starting to whisper something to himself. Cat walked up, kicked him in the shin and shouted, What did you do?

Meanwhile, Maggie cracked the door open slightly. It wasnt just the Wiz a

nd the guard attacking people now. The girl with the rainbow colored hair was now up and apparently infected and going after people. Then Maggie saw there wereothers. It looked like something from a zombie movie. Bloody, mindless monstersgoing after every living being in the room.

Cat was still trying to interrogate the distraught young hacker. She knelt next to him and slapped his face. WHAT DID YOU DO?

He turned his attention to her. His face was red. I dont know. I thought it was just a little worm. I found it on this site on the Dark Web. It was just supposed to pop up that troll on the screen, then just jump to other hosts and dothe same thing.

What was the name of the worm? Think dammit!

It was called Crimson Rouge.

Cat stood and tried to think. Shed never heard of this worm. Maggie, haveyou ever heard of a worm called Crimson Rouge?

Maggie thought for a moment, but nothing came to her. She shook her headand said, No, but Cat you should look outside. Its gotten worse out there.


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Im not opening that doorand neither are you! Dammit, just let me thing fora minute. Cat tapped the side of her glasses a couple times. An image of her dadappeared in front of her eyes.

Whats up Kitten?

Dad, just listen. A worm somehow infected nanites in a person here. He went berserk and started attacking people. Somehow, the infection has spread to others. My best guess is the infected nanites are transferred from a bite and getsinto the other persons blood stream. The shit is hitting the fan here dad.

Do you know the name of this worm?

Yeah, its called Crimson Rouge.There was a long pause. Do you know it?

I know it. Yeah, Kitten this is bad, very bad. Are you and Maggie safe?

Yeah, weve locked ourselves in a utility closet. I dont think they can getin here.

Ok Cat. Dont move. You and Maggie stay where you are. Ill call you back inless than a minute.

Cat tapped the side of her glasses. Maggie asked, What did he say?

He said hes heard of it and its bad.

What else?

He said hed call back.

Just as she said that, her glasses lit up, Call from dad.Cat tapped the side of her glasses. Got you on speaker. What have you got for me.

Okay, girls listen. We have a solution here. Something weve been working on. Do you and Maggie have your tablets?

Always.Good. Im going to send you each a file. Youll need to run it from your tabl

ets.

Why do I have the feeling theres more to it?Cat asked. And whats this fiposed to do?

Okay, heres the catch. You cant do it from the closet youre in. You have tobe fairly close, a few meters at most, from the people who are infected.

Cat said, All right, we can do that. But what will this do?

Another pause, Its going to make the nanites vibrate.

Well thats awesome if I want to teach these bastards to dance, but how does it help?

Youre not getting me Cat. Theyre going to vibrate at an incredibly fast rate. The result will more than likely make their host explode.

Cats jaw dropped. Youve got to be shitting me.


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No, Im not Cat. Thats what this was designed to do. Its still in the experiental phase, but weve run hundreds of tests. This will work.

Awesome,Cat said sarcastically. Look dad, Are you sure Maggie and I both need to do this? I can manage.

Maggie stomped her foot, Youre not doing this alone Cat!

It sounds like from what youve said, the infection is rapidly spreading. Idont think one person can cover enough area to get everyone. Its too bad there arent more people with you that can help.

Cat looked at the two young hackers whod been hiding in the closet with them. We just got a couple volunteers.

Okay, good. Im sending the files to you and Maggie now. Just share them with your friends. All you have to do is run that file. It will take care of the rest. And Cat

I know. Take care of Maggie.

And yourself. Keep moving and dont let those things get too close to you.

Cat and Maggies tablets chirped. Each looked down to see that the files h

ad arrived.Weve got them dad.

Okay good. Remember girls, please be careful. I love you both very much.

In unison, We love you too.

Cat tapped the side of her glasses to end the call.

Cat looked to the two young hackers and said, Okay, I know at least one o

f you has a tablet.

The one who was still standing said, Yeah, we both have them.Okay then, you heard the call. Im going to transfer these files to you and

were going to go out there and end this.

The hacker sitting on the floor started shaking his head, No way. You bitches are crazy if you think Im going out there.

This time it was Maggie who lost her temper, Listen dip shit. This is allyour fault. We should kick your ass out of here on principle and let those guyseat you alive.

His friend looked down at him, Dude, shes right. We have to help them.

He looked up and nodded. Slowly he stood up and steadied himself. I know.

Youre right. Give me the file.

Maggie and Cat hooked their tablets up to each of the two hackers and shared the file that their dad sent them. It only took a moment.

Maggie spoke up, All right, whats the plan.

Cat walked to the door of the closet and cracked it open. She looked out


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the small crack and could see that it was total mayhem. If it was possible, itlooked like things had gotten worse. People were running and screaming. Even more zombies were now chasing after every living thing. And it looked as if there were several small fires throughout the room. They could hear an occasional gunshot, meaning at least one or two security guards had made it into the ball room.

Cat closed the door again. Its chaos out there. I think the only thing wecan do is just each of us make for a separate corner of the room and fire off this app dad sent.

The hacker responsible for all this said, Thats one shitty fucking plan babe.

Cat got up in his face. You got another one dick? Lets hear it.

His friend started to snicker. He glared at him, Whats so damn funny?

Heh, thats his name. Dick

Cat looked back at Dick. Figures.

They all crowded near the door. Maggie gripped the handle. On three. One,two, THREE!

Maggie jerked the door open and each of them ran for a separate corner,bumping into panicky people on the way. Maggie saw a huge bloody man in a kilt racing her direction, she ducked under his arms and kept running. Cat was headedto her corner and glanced back to see that Dick was being chased by four bloodyand tattered zombies. Shed lost the other hacker, wishing shed asked him his namefor some reason.

Cat and Maggie made it to their destinations and tapped the file that their dad had sent them. At first nothing seemed to be happening. It was still utter chaos, people and zombies running around the room. Cat saw the High Wiz and he spotted her. He ran toward her, when he got within 3 meters he stopped. He started to moan, then shake. The shaking started to become violent. He let out a high pitched scream and exploded in front of her eyes.

More and more of the zombies stopped running and started shaking. Theirmoans of pain grew louder. Maggie thought out loud, Oh, this cant be good.All at once all the zombies blew up. Bone, blood, cartilage and organs flew everywhere,knocking down virtually everyone and everything left in the room.

Maggie! Where are you?Cat screamed for her sister. She could see other survivors rising up, trying to clear their heads, trying to figure out if this wasreal or some gruesome nightmare. MAGGIE!

Cat! Over here!Maggie was half sitting on the floor still, clutching herside.

Cat ran to her sister and tried to help her up. Maggie winced in pain, Dont. Just let me sit here for a minute.

Cat could now see why Maggie was clutching her side. There was somethingthat looked like a bone protruding from it.

Oh my God, Maggie!

Im okay. Its not that deep. It just hurts like hell.


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Cat again tried to help her sister up. Lets get you to the hospital.

Okay, good idea.

Maggie put her arm around Cat as they headed for the exit. Cat said, So,what do you think?

Maggie laughed a little and said, Best fucking conference ever.

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