Little Gadgets’ Hacknect is an ESP32-S3-powered wireless USB Type-A hacking cable with Wi-Fi control, HID automation for keyboard/mouse events, payload deployment, and a microSD card slot hidden in one of the Type-A connectors.
The USB cable is designed for makers, developers, automation enthusiasts, and cybersecurity researchers and can be wirelessly controlled from your smartphone or computer. It just looks like a normal cable, so any free USB cable that comes your way may look suspicious in the future.
Hacknect specifications:
- Wireless SoC – ESP32‑S3 with WiFi 4 and Bluetooth 5.x
- Storage – MicroSD card slot (inside one of the USB Type-A ports)
- USB – 2x USB Type-A male ports (Full-speed, 12 Mbps)
- Features:
- Keystroke injection – Automated keyboard payloads using HID emulation.
- Mouse injection – Simulated mouse movements and automated actions.
- Payload slots – Store and manage multiple payloads directly on the device.
- Wi‑Fi Triggers – Trigger actions wirelessly from smartphones or computers.
- Self‑Destruct Mode – Quickly erase stored payloads and sensitive data.
- Dimensions – TBC (mostly looks like a standard USB-A to USB-A cable)
The AHacknect cable can be controlled through mobile devices or desktop computers and laptops through a web‑based control panel accessible from a compatible web browser. You can just click on one of the topions to launch payloads instantly. Here are the options:
- Self destruct
- Keystroke injection
- USB keylogger
- Payload drop
- Send file
- Lock system
- Network disconnect
- Packet viewer
- System analyzer
- System reboot
- Remote console
- USB device monitor
- WiFi triggers
Technical details are fairly light for an “open-source” project, but we’re told that the firmware source code, example payloads, documentation, demo projects, getting started guides, and example automation scripts will be released once the cables start shipping.
It’s not the first such USB hacking cable around, as we previously covered the Hackstar cable with RP2040 or ESP32-S3 MCU offering similar features minus the microSD card slot.
The Hacknect has recently launched on Kickstarter and raised close to $14,000 so far. Like other security-related/hacking devices, there’s a high premium compared to the actual BoM cost of the device, and rewards start at 65 Euros (about $75 US) for a white or red cable for the “Early Bird” pledge. This doesn’t include shipping, which adds about $19 US, and deliveries are expected to start by August 2026.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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possible illegal hardware in some european regions
Which regulations? They are based in Berlin, Germany, according to the KS page.
Where did you ever need a USB-A USB-A cable? A cable with that connector combination was always suspicious.
Note that a number of tiny USB flash devices are exactly like this: a micro-SD and its controller both fit inside the connector.
designed for makers, developers, automation enthusiasts, and cybersecurity researchers.
And hackers!
Morality is sadly not on display here.