However this time, the whistleblower organisation has released something different from its previous Vault 7 leaks, because it’s not about hacking and spying; instead, it’s a—Missile Control System.
The latest leak contains four secret documents in total from the project Protego, along with “37 related documents (proprietary hardware/software manuals from Microchip Technology Inc),” WikiLeaks says.
Leaked documents reveal system design, a guide on how to configure and build Protego images, and also suggest that all micro-controller units exchange data and signals over encrypted and authenticated channels.
“The missile system has micro-controllers for the missile itself (‘Missile Smart Switch’, MSS), the tube (‘Tube Smart Switch’, TSS) and the collar (which holds the missile before and at launch time).”
The missile launches only when the Master Processor (MP) unit receives three valid signals from a beacon, including ‘In Border,’ ‘Valid GPS,’ and ‘No End of Operational Period.’
WikiLeaks is not sure why the secret documents of project Protego were the part of repositories that belongs to the CIA’s Engineering Development Group, who are apparently known for developing malware and hacking tools for the agency.
Raytheon is the same company that the agency hired for analysing advanced malware and hacking techniques being used in the wild by hackers and cyber criminals.
It seems the name, Protego, has been inspired from the magical Shield Charm used in Harry Potter movies, which helped from physical attacks as wells as magical.
If so, then the primary objective of this missile control system could be to defend something (secret facility or base), from external physical attacks.
