Copy and clone MIFARE smart card.
In this short article, I will show how to copy and clone RFID access cards so that it is not necessary to teach the UID to the existing access system.
What is a UID?
The UID was originally used as an authentication option on end devices. In concrete terms, this means that a reading unit such as an external antenna picks up the UID / serial number of the respective transponder and forwards it. Subsequently, a controller checks whether the serial number is granted access or rejected if, for example, the UID is not known to the system. This procedure takes place very often in everyday life and has the benefit of checking quickly and efficiently whether the cardholder is authorized or not. This test method can be found e.g. for electronic access control in gyms, front doors, office buildings or as access control for electronic time stamps, PC units, public transport monthly cards and many more. However, the principle behind this technique always remains the same.
The shortened way
Since it was not possible to exchange or edit Sector 0 before the X3 Elite NFC implant, the additional UID had to be taught or exchanged into the system that decides on access or entry, since the implant had to retain its fixed UID. With other implants, you are forced to learn a new “access card”, which is usually very time-consuming, since there is often no access to the system that manages the transponders. Ex. at offices or gyms, there were often communication difficulties. The X3 Elite implant, on the other hand, has the unique feature of incorporating the serial number of the existing transponder, so that, for example, the transponder can be used to identify the patient. the turnstile in the gym or the access control system in the office starts from the original transponder and access is granted. The cloned UID can then, of course, also be taught to other systems. Multiple UIDs on one transponder are generally not possible.
To read and copy the transponder, a smartcard reader is required. We recommend the ACS U122. First check if the transponder card or chip you want to clone is a MIFARE Classic chipset. You can do this most easily with the app NFC Tools. After the X3 Elite order, download the program X3_Elite_Clone.rar using the link sent to you and unpack it with e.g. WinRar. Now plug in the ACS U122 and wait until the red lamp lights up. Now start the .exe “Step1_Image_create”. Select the smartcard reader in the dropdown menu if not already done and place the transponder to be copied to the chip implant on the device so that the green lamp lights up continuously. Then click on the button on the right and wait until you see the UID under the key matrix. You have created a “dumpfile”, i.e. an image of the transponder. Now open the .exe “Step2_Image_copy” and proceed as follows:
Initialize the smartcard reader and place your hand on the reader so that the green dot is lit continuously. It may help if you make a fist to avoid disconnections from the implant. When you are ready, click Connect. The X3 Elite implant is now read in and can be labeled. Now select the backup file you created earlier. Hold your hand on the smart card reader again and click on “Copy Card”. You have now cloned your transponder to the X3 Elite NFC implant. Whether everything has worked is confirmed with “Write 63 Block Success”. Alternatively, you can also use NFC tools to check whether the UID of the host and the implant match.
