Bjorn: Empowering Raspberry Pi Zero for Advanced Network Security Operations

Disclaimer:
The topics and methods presented and explained in this article are intended for educational purposes only. They must not be used for illegal activities or without proper authorization. The responsibility for the ethical and legal application of the information provided lies solely with the user. Unauthorized or malicious use of these techniques may result in legal consequences.

In the realm of cybersecurity, the Raspberry Pi Zero stands out as a compact yet powerful tool. When combined with Bjorn, an autonomous network scanning and offensive security application, it transforms into a formidable asset for network administrators and security professionals.

What is Bjorn?

Bjorn is an open-source security tool designed to operate on a Raspberry Pi equipped with a 2.13-inch e-Paper HAT. It automates network scanning, vulnerability assessments, and offensive security tasks, providing real-time insights through its e-Paper display and web interface. See more on GitHub.

Key Features of Bjorn

• Network Scanning: Identifies live hosts and open ports within a network.
• Vulnerability Assessment: Detects potential vulnerabilities using tools like Nmap.
• Brute-Force Attacks: Attempts to crack credentials for services such as FTP, SSH, SMB, RDP, Telnet, and SQL.
• Data Exfiltration: Extracts sensitive information from compromised systems.
• User Interface: Offers real-time monitoring via the e-Paper display and a web-based interface.

Applications of Bjorn:

Bjorn is invaluable for:

• Penetration Testing: Simulating attacks to identify and rectify security weaknesses.
• Network Monitoring: Continuously scanning for unauthorized devices or services.
• Educational Purposes: Demonstrating network vulnerabilities and security measures.

Setting Up Bjorn on Raspberry Pi Zero WH

Follow these steps to install Bjorn on your Raspberry Pi Zero WH:

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Prerequisites

1. Raspberry Pi Zero W with Raspberry Pi OS installed.
2. 2.13-inch e-Paper HAT connected to the GPIO pins.
3. Stable internet connection.

Download and Run the Installer

• Open the terminal and execute:
  wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/infinition/Bjorn/refs/heads/main/install_bjorn.sh
sudo chmod +x install_bjorn.sh
sudo ./install_bjorn.sh
• The installation may take some time as it installs various packages and modules.
• Reboot the system after installation.
• Choose option 1 for automatic installation.

Configure the E-Paper Display

• Edit the configuration file:
  sudo vi /home/bjorn/Bjorn/config/shared_config.json
• Set the epd_type according to your screen model:
  • For 2.13 V1: "epd_type": "epd2in13"
  • For 2.13 V2: "epd_type": "epd2in13_V2"
  • For 2.13 V3: "epd_type": "epd2in13_V3"
  • For 2.13 V4: "epd_type": "epd2in13_V4"

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Increase File Descriptor Limits

• To prevent errors related to too many open files, adjust the limits:
  • Edit /etc/security/limits.conf and add:
    * soft nofile 65535
* hard nofile 65535
root soft nofile 65535
root hard nofile 65535
  • Edit /etc/systemd/system.conf and /etc/systemd/user.conf, uncomment and set:
    DefaultLimitNOFILE=65535

Set Up USB Gadget Mode (Optional)

This allows the Pi to emulate a USB device:

• Edit /boot/firmware/cmdline.txt and add after rootwait:
  modules-load=dwc2,g_ether
• Edit /boot/firmware/config.txt and add:
  dtoverlay=dwc2
• Create the USB gadget script:
  sudo vi /usr/local/bin/usb-gadget.sh
• Add the script content as specified in the installation guide.
• Make the script executable:
  sudo chmod +x /usr/local/bin/usb-gadget.sh
• Create a systemd service for the USB gadget:
  sudo vi /etc/systemd/system/usb-gadget.service
• Add the service configuration as detailed in the installation guide.
• Enable and start the service:
  sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl enable usb-gadget
sudo systemctl start usb-gadget

Accessing Bjorn

• After installation, Bjorn can be accessed via its web interface.
• Open a browser and navigate to http://<Bjorn_IP>:8000.
• Replace <Bjorn_IP> with the actual IP address of your Raspberry Pi.

Download and Run the Installer

By following these steps, you can harness the full potential of Bjorn on your Raspberry Pi Zero W, turning it into a powerful tool for network security assessments.

*Note: Ensure you have the necessary permissions and legal rights before conducting

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