Vulnerability Assessment & Penetration Testing

Hardware/Firmware Security Testing

  • May 10, 2025
  • 0

🔧 Sherlocked Security – Hardware/Firmware Security Testing

Deep-Dive Security Testing of Hardware Platforms, Firmware Images, and Embedded Code Execution Layers

📄 1. Statement of Work (SOW)

Service Name: Hardware & Firmware Security Testing
Target Components: Microcontrollers, SoCs, IoT Boards, FPGAs, Embedded Firmware (RTOS/Linux), Secure Boot Chains
Client Type: Semiconductor Vendors, Device OEMs, Defense, Healthcare, Automotive, IIoT Manufacturers
Service Model: On-site + Lab Testing
Compliance Coverage: NIST SP 800-193, OWASP Firmware Security, ISO/SAE 21434 (Automotive), NIST 8259A

Scope Includes:

  • PCB and Chipset Analysis
  • Debug Port Enumeration (UART, JTAG, SWD, SPI)
  • Firmware Extraction (NAND, NOR, SPI flash)
  • Firmware Decompilation & Vulnerability Analysis
  • Secure Boot Verification
  • Cryptographic Key Storage & Protection Check
  • Side-Channel and Fault Injection (optional)
  • Firmware Update/OTA Security

🧠 2. Our Approach

🔹 Device-level teardown → binary-level reverse engineering
🔹 Full firmware lifecycle audit – from boot ROM to application layer
🔹 Secure boot chain testing + cryptographic secrets audit

[PCB Analysis] → [Interface Mapping] → [Firmware Dumping] → [Static + Dynamic Binary Analysis] → [Crypto/Key Storage Testing] → [Exploit Simulation] → [Reporting & Hardening]

🧪 3. Methodology

[Schematic + PCB Review] → [JTAG/UART/SWD Interface Testing] → [Flash Dumping (NAND/NOR)] → [Binary Reverse Engineering] → [Attack Vector Identification] → [Secure Boot Chain Verification] → [Update Mechanism Assessment] → [Crypto Key Testing] → [Reporting & Patch Advisory]

📦 4. Deliverables to the Client

  1. 🧠 Chip-Level & Interface Enumeration Map
  2. 🔐 Firmware Vulnerability Report:
    • Firmware Reverse Engineering Notes
    • Hardcoded Keys, Backdoors, Telnet, Debug Shells
    • Secure Boot Status & Chain of Trust
    • Firmware Obfuscation Bypass (if applicable)
    • Unencrypted or Signed Update Channels
    • CVE/CVSS Mapping for Identified Issues
  3. 💣 Exploit PoCs (Optional)
  4. 🔧 Binary Patching Recommendations
  5. 🛡️ Secure Firmware Lifecycle SOP
  6. 📃 Post-Patch Verification Certificate

🤝 5. What We Need from You (Client Requirements)

  • ✅ Physical access or shipped hardware
  • ✅ Firmware image(s) or OTA packages
  • ✅ Documentation on boot process and update flow
  • ✅ Chip datasheets, if available
  • ✅ Test jigs or debugging access (JTAG/UART/SWD)
  • ✅ Access to companion apps/cloud backend (if integrated)

🧰 6. Tools & Technology Stack

  • 🔬 Hardware Analysis: Multimeter, Oscilloscope, Logic Analyzer
  • 🔌 Interface Testing: Bus Pirate, JTAGulator, Saleae Logic
  • 🧠 Firmware Tools: Binwalk, Ghidra, IDA Pro, QEMU, radare2
  • 🔓 Dumping Tools: Flashrom, OpenOCD, NAND Reader
  • 🧪 Crypto Testing: Key extraction, entropy analysis, side-channel analysis (optional)
  • 📡 Communication Tools: UART consoles, SPI sniffers, BLE sniffers
  • 🧰 Firmware Fuzzers & Custom Exploit Scripts

🚀 7. Engagement Lifecycle (Lead → Closure)

1. Hardware Intake → 2. NDA + Info Sharing → 3. Interface Analysis → 4. Flash Dumping → 5. Binary Reversal & Debugging → 6. Exploit Path Analysis → 7. Report & Fix Recommendations → 8. Retest & Patch Verification → 9. Certificate of Secure Firmware Delivery

🌟 8. Why Sherlocked Security? (Our USP)

Feature Sherlocked Advantage
🔧 Full Chipset Teardown JTAG/UART/SWD mapping and hardening
🧠 Reverse Engineering Firmware C-based RTOS and ELF reverse support
🔒 Secure Boot Chain Audit ROM → Bootloader → OS signed verification
🔑 Crypto Key Testing Key reuse, weak storage, insecure generation
💥 OTA Exploit Simulation Tampering, rollback & bypass testing
🎓 Post-Hardening Certificate Verify your firmware is attack-resilient

📚 9. Real-World Case Studies

🔐 Weak AES Key in Medical Device Firmware

Client: Healthcare OEM
Issue: AES key hardcoded in firmware for BLE pairing
Impact: Patient data exposure risk
Fix: Secure key provisioning using HSM + TLS encryption

🧠 UART Shell in Smart Display Bootloader

Client: Automotive Supplier
Issue: UART debug shell with root access enabled
Impact: Boot process hijack
Fix: UART disabled in production & secure boot enforced

🛡️ 10. SOP – Standard Operating Procedure

  1. Device Analysis & PCB Scanning
  2. JTAG/UART/SWD Interface Testing
  3. Flash Dumping (SPI/NAND/NOR)
  4. Static Firmware Analysis (Strings, ELF, Binaries)
  5. Reverse Engineering (Ghidra/IDA)
  6. Secure Boot & Crypto Key Checks
  7. Update Flow Testing (OTA/USB)
  8. Vulnerability Reporting (CVE/CVSS)
  9. Patch Testing + Retesting
  10. Secure Firmware Certification

📋 11. Hardware/Firmware Security Checklist (Preview)

  1. Identify hardware debug interfaces (UART, JTAG).
  2. Dump and analyze firmware.
  3. Review firmware for hardcoded credentials.
  4. Reverse engineer firmware binaries.
  5. Assess hardware tamper resistance.
  6. Examine chipsets and memory for data exposure.
  7. Test for insecure firmware update mechanisms.
  8. Analyze power and clock for side-channel attacks.
  9. Evaluate cryptographic implementations.
  10. Test exposed ports for unintended access.

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