Firmware customization is a crucial aspect of hardware hacking and cybersecurity exploration. With the right tools and techniques, you can unlock the full potential of embedded systems and push the boundaries of innovation. In this tutorial, we’ll walk through the step-by-step process of firmware customization using the ESP-01 module and the Ch341A programmer tool. Setting...
JTAG (Joint Test Action Group) pins are essential for debugging and programming microcontrollers, especially in IoT devices. Identifying these pins can be crucial for security researchers, penetration testers, and hardware enthusiasts. In this article, we’ll explore JTAGenum, a powerful tool that helps us discover JTAG pins in unknown chips using an Arduino. Why Choose JTAGenum?...
Electronics can be a challenging world, especially when working with UARTs, which makes understanding its inner workings essential. Unlabelled UART pins can present both beginners and experts with challenges; this user-friendly guide will walk you through identifying Ground (GND), Power (VCC), Data Reception (RX), and Transmission (TX) pins with the aid of multimeter measurements and...
In the early 1980s, Philips Semiconductors (now NXP Semiconductors) introduced the I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) protocol, revolutionizing inter-device communication in electronic devices. With just two wires, SDA and SCL, I2C has become a standard for efficient data exchange and control signal transmission. I2C, or Inter-Integrated Circuit, is a bus interface protocol designed for serial communication. It...
SWD stands as one of the lesser-noticed vulnerabilities of hardware security. Used for debugging and programming embedded systems, SWD allows developers to communicate directly with microcontrollers located on hardware devices – offering convenience during development but providing an attack surface that malicious actors could exploit. We will delve into its depths here in this article...
JTAG headers play an essential role in embedded systems development, allowing developers and engineers to access low-level parts of devices for debugging and testing purposes. Understanding what a JTAG header is and its functions is essential for anyone involved with hardware development. In this article, we’ll dive deeper into its details, exploring its importance while...
With this comprehensive guide, we aim to demonstrate how the Joint Test Action Group (JTAG) interface can provide hardware security. Created during the 1980s by the Joint Test Access Group, JTAG revolutionized PCB testing and debugging processes; using our multi-part series, you’ll learn to harness its power for security research, firmware extraction, and memory manipulation....
IoT (Internet of Things) devices have revolutionized our lives and workplaces in unimaginable ways, from smart homes to industrial automation systems. But as more devices connect online, additional security requirements arise; Bluetooth Low Energy and ZigBee protocols are discussed as key protocols protecting IoT devices in this article. Understanding BLE Protocol and Its Importance for...
As the use of IoT devices increases, ensuring their security becomes crucial. Unauthorized access should never occur due to proper protection measures in place on these devices. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at a specific aspect of IoT security called hardware hacking, understanding its methods, benefits, and components to see how it...
What is IoT? The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of physical devices, vehicles, home appliances, and other objects embedded with sensors, software, and connectivity. It allows them to exchange data and interact over the Internet. Therefore, the basic idea of IoT is to connect all these devices to the Internet, enabling them to...
