B5: Mobile, Wireless & Hardware
Hardware Hacking Fundamentals
UART, JTAG/SWD, firmware extraction, boot chains, debug ports, and safe device assessment.
- Recon the board: chips, markings, test pads, connectors, voltage levels, and datasheets.
- Identify interfaces: UART for console, JTAG/SWD for debug, SPI/I2C for chips and sensors.
- Extract firmware safely: vendor updates first, then chip reads only in a controlled lab.
- Analyze firmware: filesystem, secrets, services, update signatures, and hardcoded credentials.
- Report physical assumptions: required access, tools, time, tamper evidence, and business impact.