Low-Level Hardware Reversing

Objective

This training is oriented for those who have from little to no knowledge on how a system can be reversed on a hardware level. You want to hack an embedded device? Not too fast! To fully understand an embedded system, you must first know how it works on a physical level. The objective of this training is to provide the attendees a starting point on pure and low- level hardware hacking. There will be zero to little IDA, but an in-depth explanation of digital signals, protocols, and some hex file dumping, which are the core of every embedded system. Additionally, there will be exercises to practice the acquired skills, by attacking a custom victim board. On the second day, trainees will also work on real-world devices guided by our experienced instructors. This includes an introduction to common software tools that hardware hackers use. After successfully completing this training, the attendees will be able to find basic attack vectors on the physical layer of an embedded system.

Additionally, there will be exercises to practice the acquired skills, by attacking a custom victim board. On the second day, trainees will also work on real-world devices guided by our experienced instructors. This includes an introduction to common software tools that hardware hackers use. After successfully completing this training, the attendees will be able to find basic attack vectors on the physical layer of an embedded system.

topics

• Serial communication
• SPI
• I2C
• JTAG
• SWD
• EEPROMs

• Common design-patterns in embedded systems
• PCB Reverse Engineering
• IC removal without breaking everything
• Common protection measures in embedded systems
• Common backdoors in embedded systems
• Common software tools used for hardware hacking
• Basic fault injections (glitching)

Course Outline

• day 1
• day 2

PREREQUISITES

• Knowledge of basic digital electronics is an advantage.
• Basic soldering skills are an advantage.
• Basic experience with embedded systems (as gained from designing embedded
• System(s) is an advantage

What to Bring?

• Laptop
• Win7 OS as host or VM.
• Winhex (licensed or demo).
• Termite terminal installed
• Saleae Logic Analizer (any model)
• Latest Saleae Beta software installed
• Termite terminal installed
http://support.saleae.com/hc/en-us/articles/201589175

• 5 GB of free space mimimum
• 4 GB RAM minimum
• Mouse is highly recommended
• Any device that the attendees would like to test the newly acquired skills on (routers, IP cams, etc)

What to expect?

• Learning how do components work and communicate on low level
• Understand how an embedded system works
• Perform basic reversing exercises which will be useful in the real world
• Learning how to spot common mistakes of manufacturers

What not to expect?

• Becoming a hardware hacker in two days
• Decaff coffee
• Disappointment

About the Trainers

Javier Vazquez Vidal
Javier is passionate about technology and specializes in hardware and embedded systems security. He studied Electromechanics and Telecommunications, developing a passion for electronics and technology since his youth. He has been part of several projects that involved well-known hardware, but his first public work was released at Black Hat Arsenal USA 2013, the ECU tool. He also presented the CHT at Black Hat Asia 2014, a tool to take over the CAN network, and shown how a smart meter can be fully compromised at BlackHat Europe 2014. He is currently working as a IT Engineer, and has worked for companies such as Airbus Military and Visteon.

Henrik Ferdinand Nolscher
Ferdinand has been very passionate about information security ever since he was young, and hardware security is a big field of interest for him. In the past, he has been working with Javier in numerous embedded security projects and together, they presented the CANBadger, a novel automotive hacking tool, at Blackhat and DefCon 2016.