Embedded Systems Security and Reverse Engineering

Embedded Systems Security and Reverse Engineering is a specialized area of cybersecurity focused on securing the dedicated computers found in devices like IoT gadgets, automotive systems, and medical implants. This field involves applying reverse engineering techniques to deconstruct and analyze a device's firmware and hardware, a critical process for discovering hidden vulnerabilities, understanding proprietary communication protocols, and ensuring the system is free from malicious code or backdoors. By combining low-level hardware and software knowledge from computer science with security principles, this discipline aims to protect the often-critical physical functions that these ubiquitous systems control.

1. Introduction to Embedded Systems Security
   1. Defining Embedded Systems
      1. Characteristics and Constraints
         1. Real-time Operation Requirements
            1. Hard Real-time Systems
            2. Soft Real-time Systems
            3. Deterministic Behavior
         2. Resource Limitations
            1. CPU Processing Constraints
            2. Memory Constraints
            3. Power Consumption Limits
            4. Storage Limitations
         3. Long Lifecycles and Maintenance
            1. Extended Deployment Periods
            2. Maintenance Challenges
            3. Update and Patch Limitations
            4. Legacy System Support
      2. Common Embedded Architectures
         1. ARM Architecture Family
            1. ARM Cortex-M Series
            2. ARM Cortex-A Series
            3. ARM Cortex-R Series
            4. Thumb Instruction Set
         2. MIPS Architecture
            1. MIPS32 Architecture
            2. MIPS64 Architecture
            3. MicroMIPS
         3. RISC-V Architecture
            1. Base Integer Instruction Set
            2. Standard Extensions
            3. Custom Extensions
         4. x86 in Embedded Contexts
            1. Intel Atom Processors
            2. Embedded x86 Variants
      3. System-on-Chip Concepts
         1. SoC Integration Principles
         2. Peripheral Integration
         3. Memory Subsystems
         4. Interconnect Architectures
      4. Embedded Operating Systems
         1. Real-Time Operating Systems
         2. Linux-based Embedded Systems
         3. Bare-metal Programming
   2. The Embedded Security Landscape
      1. Threat Modeling for Embedded Devices
         1. STRIDE Methodology
            1. Spoofing Identity
            2. Tampering with Data
            3. Repudiation
            4. Information Disclosure
            5. Denial of Service
            6. Elevation of Privilege
         2. DREAD Risk Assessment
            1. Damage Potential
            2. Reproducibility
            3. Exploitability
            4. Affected Users
            5. Discoverability
         3. Attack Trees and Scenarios
      2. Attack Surfaces in Embedded Systems
         1. Physical Access Vectors
            1. Direct Hardware Access
            2. Side-channel Attack Opportunities
            3. Tamper Resistance Evaluation
         2. Network Interface Vulnerabilities
            1. Wired Network Interfaces
            2. Wireless Communication Interfaces
            3. Protocol Stack Vulnerabilities
         3. Removable Media Interfaces
            1. USB Interface Security
            2. SD Card Interface Security
            3. Other Removable Storage
         4. Over-the-Air Update Mechanisms
            1. Update Delivery Channels
            2. Update Authentication Methods
            3. Update Integrity Verification
         5. Supply Chain Attack Vectors
            1. Firmware Supply Chain Risks
            2. Hardware Supply Chain Risks
            3. Third-party Component Risks
      3. Core Security Principles
         1. Confidentiality Requirements
         2. Integrity Assurance
         3. Availability Guarantees
         4. Authentication Mechanisms
         5. Authorization Controls
         6. Non-repudiation
         7. Principle of Least Privilege
         8. Defense in Depth Strategy
         9. Secure by Design Philosophy