The tech community has seen a surge in interest around portable penetration-testing devices like Flipper Zero, HackRF, M1 Multitool, HackBat, and Bleshark. These gadgets, known for their versatility and compactness, have become favourites among security researchers and hobbyists exploring wireless vulnerabilities. Adding to this lineup is an exciting new project: RF-Clown, a portable, open-source BLE and Classic Bluetooth jamming tool, introduced by the maker Cifer from the tech YouTube channel CiferTech. RF-Clown, designed as a portable, multi-mode jammer, stands out for its educational and research-oriented focus. Unlike many similar projects that remain closed-source, RF-Clown offers complete transparency by providing all its resources, from code to PCB designs, on GitHub. The project utilises the ESP32 microcontroller as its backbone, paired with two NRF24L01 modules for simultaneous operation on multiple frequencies. With multi-mode support for BLE, Classic Bluetooth, or both, RF-Clown allows users to disrupt communications and study the effects. Its compact design integrates components like the NeoPixel LED for mode indication, the battery charging circuit, and the programming circuitry for the ESP32. It can be built on a breadboard for testing or as a compact PCB for portability.
In a demonstration on the Cifer, RF-Clown successfully disrupted communication between a Bluetooth module and a smartphone, with spikes in channel traffic analyzed using advanced tools. Testing involved advanced tools like the NRF Analyzer to verify functionality and optimise stability. Even though there were some firmware bugs in the firmware Cifer later fixed them on later revisions. For those interested in building RF-Clown, detailed instructions, along with a repository of code and designs, are available on the project's GitHub page. The video guide, accessible on the CiferTech YouTube channel, provides a step-by-step walkthrough of the process of making your own RF-Clown.
