# Remotely Triggering a Bash Bunny Payload using Bluetooth LE w/Glytch Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZnIq8NLqdg Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/bZnIq8NLqdg Generated: 2025-06-30T17:57:00.623+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview **Key Takeaway:** Glytch enables remote and covert execution of Hak5 Bash Bunny payloads via Bluetooth LE, enhancing red team capabilities by eliminating the need for physical interaction post-deployment. **Key Points:** - The video demonstrates 'Glytch,' a method to remotely trigger a Hak5 Bash Bunny payload using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). - It involves custom Bash Bunny firmware listening for specific BLE advertisements broadcast by an ESP32 microcontroller. - This technique allows for covert, remote execution of payloads, bypassing direct physical interaction after the device is planted. ## Summary The video introduces and demonstrates 'Glytch,' a novel technique developed by Hak5 to remotely trigger payloads on a Bash Bunny using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). Traditionally, Bash Bunny payloads require physical interaction (e.g., button press or replugging) to execute. Glytch bypasses this limitation by leveraging a custom Bash Bunny payload that constantly listens for specific BLE advertisement packets. The system comprises two main components: a modified Bash Bunny running a specialized payload and an ESP32 microcontroller acting as the BLE transmitter. The ESP32 is flashed with custom firmware that broadcasts unique BLE advertisements. When the Bash Bunny detects the configured advertisement, it automatically executes its pre-loaded payload. The demonstration showcases the setup process, including flashing the ESP32 and configuring the Bash Bunny, followed by a live successful remote trigger, highlighting its utility for covert operations. **Key Points:** - Glytch allows remote triggering of Bash Bunny payloads via Bluetooth LE, eliminating the need for physical interaction after deployment. - The setup requires a custom Bash Bunny payload designed to listen for specific BLE advertisements. - An ESP32 microcontroller serves as the BLE transmitter, broadcasting the trigger signal. - The process involves flashing the ESP32 with Glytch firmware and configuring the Bash Bunny payload to react to the BLE signal. - The demonstration successfully shows the Bash Bunny executing a payload (indicated by LED change) upon receiving the remote BLE trigger. **Context:** The Hak5 Bash Bunny is a popular USB-C attack platform used by penetration testers and red teamers for automated keystroke injection, network attacks, and other offensive security tasks. Its primary limitation in certain covert operations is the need for physical interaction (like pressing a button or replugging) to initiate a payload once it's plugged into a target system. This video addresses that limitation by introducing a method for remote, wireless triggering, significantly enhancing the operational flexibility and stealth of the Bash Bunny in scenarios where physical presence for triggering is undesirable or impossible. ## Detailed Analysis The video provides a comprehensive overview and demonstration of 'Glytch,' a solution for remotely triggering Hak5 Bash Bunny payloads using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). The presenter, Glytch from Hak5, explains that the traditional Bash Bunny often requires a physical button press or replugging to execute a payload, which can be a limitation in covert operations. Glytch overcomes this by enabling the Bash Bunny to listen for and react to specific BLE advertisement packets. At its core, the system consists of two main parts: a Bash Bunny running a custom `remote_trigger.sh` payload and an ESP32 microcontroller acting as the BLE transmitter. The Bash Bunny's payload is designed to continuously scan for unique BLE advertisements with a specific service UUID and manufacturer data. Once it detects the correct advertisement, it executes a pre-defined Bash Bunny payload (e.g., injecting keystrokes, establishing a reverse shell). The ESP32 is flashed with custom Glytch firmware, which allows it to broadcast these specific BLE advertisements. The presenter demonstrates flashing the ESP32 using `esptool.py` and setting up the Bash Bunny's payload structure. The live demonstration effectively showcases the remote triggering. The Bash Bunny is plugged into a target machine, and the ESP32 is used to send the BLE trigger signal. Upon receiving the signal, the Bash Bunny's LED changes from blue to green, indicating successful payload execution. The video emphasizes the covert nature and extended operational range (within BLE limits) this method provides, making it highly valuable for red team engagements where maintaining stealth and minimizing physical interaction is paramount. The solution leverages standard BLE capabilities, making it relatively accessible for those familiar with microcontrollers and Hak5 tools. **Key Moments:** - **2:22**: Display of the `remote_trigger.sh` Bash Bunny payload code structure, showing how it configures the device to listen for BLE advertisements and execute a payload. ![Screenshot at 2:22](screenshot:2:22) - **3:10**: Visual of flashing the ESP32 microcontroller with the Glytch firmware using a command-line tool, demonstrating the essential setup step for the BLE transmitter. ![Screenshot at 3:10](screenshot:3:10) - **4:05**: Live demonstration of the ESP32 triggering the Bash Bunny, showing the Bash Bunny's LED changing colors (from blue to green) as it successfully executes the payload. ![Screenshot at 4:05](screenshot:4:05) - **4:48**: A close-up shot of the Bash Bunny's LED transition, visually confirming the successful remote execution of the payload after receiving the BLE trigger. ![Screenshot at 4:48](screenshot:4:48) - **5:18**: Screenshot of the Arduino code snippet for the ESP32 (Glytch firmware) showing the BLE advertisement packet structure and how the trigger signal is crafted. ![Screenshot at 5:18](screenshot:5:18) **Insights:** - The integration of BLE for remote triggering significantly enhances the operational stealth and reach of USB-based attack platforms like the Bash Bunny, moving beyond traditional physical interaction limitations. - This method highlights the growing trend of combining low-power wireless communication with embedded systems to create more advanced and flexible offensive security tools. **Action Items:** - Investigate the Hak5 Glytch project documentation and source code to understand the specific BLE advertisement format and Bash Bunny payload requirements. - Experiment with setting up an ESP32 and Bash Bunny to replicate the remote triggering demonstration, potentially adapting it for custom payloads or different BLE modules.