Penetration Testing in Embedded Systems: A Critical Cybersecurity Component
Penetration Testing in Embedded Systems: A Critical Cybersecurity Component
In today’s digital landscape, penetration testing has become a crucial necessity for organizations. However, hardware penetration testing, specifically in embedded systems, is an often overlooked yet vital aspect of cybersecurity. It is essential to recognize that penetration testing in embedded systems is as critical as testing software applications.
The Importance of Hardware Penetration Testing
Hardware penetration testing aims to identify security vulnerabilities in embedded devices, ensuring that your hardware’s security levels remain high. While it may be challenging for cyber attackers to gain physical access to a device from outside an organization, obtaining access to these devices can lead to significant damage. It is crucial to remember that exploits in hardware can affect entire systems.
Embedded Systems Penetration Testing
To maximize the benefits of hardware in assessing your cybersecurity, it is necessary to conduct tests on embedded systems to detect potential backdoors. Many devices, such as building access controls, smart devices, printers, security cameras, and similar hardware, unfortunately, expand the attack surface and are often overlooked in cybersecurity.
Our hardware penetration testing services offer customized solutions for organizations using various applications and tools. We perform specialized tests on physical devices like smart devices, gaming consoles, security cameras, IoT devices, and industrial control systems to identify potential backdoors. Using these tools and applications, we can manipulate devices through reverse engineering and other techniques, reporting the entry points of embedded systems.
Hardware Piracy and Competencies
Hackers aim to detect vulnerabilities and exploit them to gain unauthorized access to a system. To achieve this, they need specific competencies:
- Knowledge and experience with microcontrollers
- Ability to develop or modify software for specific purposes
- Experience with radio signals such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- Ability to obtain video or audio recordings through access to hardware
- Capability to copy passwords, user information, keys, or encryption applications from devices
- Ability to integrate devices into a botnet or use them as BTC miners
- Capacity to include devices or embedded systems in DDOS networks
To perform these tests, physical access to the devices or infiltration into the organizational network is required. Unfortunately, if hardware is not updated or overlooked, it can become a significant opportunity for cyber attackers.
The Risks of Outdated Hardware
Hardware and embedded systems that are not updated remain vulnerable to serious exploits over the years. Historical DDOS attacks have shown that millions of devices can be affected by botnet attacks using such devices. An exploit discovered years ago can still be present in a device within an organizational network and used by cyber attackers.
We are aware of many vulnerabilities in Wi-Fi networks. However, many manufacturers unfortunately do not update these devices or have discontinued the update process for older devices.
Remote code execution (RCE) attacks are also used in hardware vulnerabilities. Many devices operate with scripts called bash. Root access obtained on unupdated devices becomes an open door for such attacks.
Embedded systems are also affected by remote code execution attacks. It is important to remember that many internet-exposed devices can be detected using tools like Shodan.
Devices that do not support secure boot, hardware causing information disclosure, and CSRF vulnerabilities are among the many points where our hardware is affected.
For customized cybersecurity services for your organization, please contact us for a price quote.
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