In late 2015, a hacker who goes by name of Xylit0l, using high-quality public images released by the TSA and published by Travel Sentry, as well as a ton of community-driven research, eventually produced 3D-printable copies of the Travel Sentry master keys. Testing the security of TSA approved locks is something lock enthusiasts have been working on since 2004. ![]() The point being made by the development and subsequent release of the eighth and final TSA master key centers on the dangers of government key escrow. Locked or not, your luggage can be opened with a pen, a knife, or screwdriver in seconds – and most of the more common Travel Sentry or Safe Skies locks can be picked with ease.īut, as Johnny Xmas said during a recent interview with Salted Hash, the point being made isn’t about “how bad men can lick your travel toothbrush” after opening your luggage with a printed key. Granted, the locks do serve as a deterrent against opportunistic theft, but that’s about it. In addition, the reported accessibility of keys to unauthorized persons does not affect the physical security of bags while being screening by TSA officers.” “Carry on and checked bags are subject to the TSA’s electronic screening and manual inspection. “These consumer products are convenience products that have nothing to do with TSA’s aviation security regime,” an agency spokesperson said. When asked for comments concerning the creation of a Safe Skies master key, the TSA sent Salted Hash a similar comment. But it’s possible some travelers did believe in the concept stronger protection, as the TSA made claims in 2012 that the locks would “prevent anyone from removing items” from locked bags.Ī few years later, the TSA reversed their stance in a statement given to the Intercept, saying the approved lock program was implemented to provide “peace of mind.” When the approved locks program was introduced, some felt the concept was security theater and wouldn’t actually provide additional protection from thieves. They do make their own locks, and hold the patents for the designs. Travel Sentry authorizes a system of keys that can be used as standards for other lock manufacturers. The first is Travel Sentry, but they don’t make their own locks. Two companies are responsible for the majority of the TSA approved luggage locks on the market. These days, under the approved locks program, the TSA can access bags by using a master key. Prior to the creation and availability of approved locks, the TSA would simply cut the lock off if a bag needed inspected. Passengers were using locks to prevent theft, and the TSA wasn’t thrilled with the overhead required to inspect baggage. ![]() TSA approved locks became a common sight at airports in 2003. The public release of this eighth and final key has once again exposed the problems created by key escrow. In addition to releasing a 3D-printable model of the Safe Skies master key, the talk also addressed the techniques used to collect the intelligence leading to the compromise of the seven Travel Sentry keys in 2015, as well as vulnerabilities in the Safe Skies lock design. The talk was given by DarkSim905, a lock enthusiast who heads the New Jersey chapter of TOOOL (The Open Organization of Lockpickers) Nite 0wl, a member of TOOOL from New York City and Johnny Xmas, of RedLegg International’s TradeCraft Labs. On Saturday evening, during the Eleventh HOPE conference in New York City, three hackers released the final master key used by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which opens Safe Skies luggage locks.
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