---
type: "term"
title: "Physical Attack (#8)"
description: "A threat cluster where an attacker gains unauthorized physical interaction with or causes physical interference to hardware, devices, facilities, or data transmission media (including wireless signals)."
resource: "tlctc:term:physical-attack-8"
tags:
  - "glossary"
---
# Physical Attack (#8)

A threat cluster where an attacker gains unauthorized physical interaction with or causes physical interference to hardware, devices, facilities, or data transmission media (including wireless signals). The generic vulnerability is the physical accessibility of hardware, facilities, and communication media, and the exploitability of Layer 1 (Physical Layer) communications and hardware interfaces. Encompasses two main types:

- **Direct Physical Access Attacks (#8.1):** Require physical touch or direct interaction (tampering, theft, physical intrusion, unauthorized device connection)
- **Indirect Physical Access Attacks (#8.2):** Exploit physical properties without direct contact (TEMPEST, signal jamming, acoustic attacks, environmental disruption)

**Related reading:** [CWE-514 (covert channel) → TLCTC #8](https://www.tlctc.net/blog-cwe-514-covert-channel-mapping.html), [Topology of cyber attacks — Bridge vs Internal](https://www.tlctc.net/tlctc-topology-of-cyber-attacks.html)