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Hardware hacking can be expensive, but Davide Toldo demonstrates how to perform Electromagnetic Fault Injection (EMFI) attacks on a budget using open-source tools. Surprisingly, an EMFI pulser can be acquired for around 50 euros, making it accessible for cybersecurity researchers and enthusiasts.
You Should Know:
Lab Setup for EMFI Attacks
To replicate EMFI experiments, you’ll need:
- EMFI Pulser – A low-cost alternative to commercial tools.
2. Oscilloscope – For monitoring voltage glitches.
- Target IoT Device – A test board with a vulnerable microcontroller.
4. Python Scripts – For automating fault injection.
Basic EMFI Commands & Code
1. Triggering the EMFI Pulse:
Use a Raspberry Pi or Arduino to control the pulse python3 pulse_trigger.py --voltage 3.3 --duration 100ns
2. Monitoring with an Oscilloscope:
Use Sigrok for signal analysis sigrok-cli -d fx2lafw --channels D0,D1 -o capture.sr
3. Firmware Dumping (Post-Glitch):
Extract firmware from a compromised chip avrdude -c usbasp -p atmega328p -U flash:r:firmware.hex:i
Exploiting the Fault Injection
Once a glitch is successful, extract cryptographic keys or bypass authentication:
import chipwhisperer as cw scope = cw.scope() target = cw.target(scope) cw.glitch(scope, width=100, offset=50) Adjust parameters for optimal fault
Defensive Measures
To protect IoT devices from EMFI:
- Shielding – Use conductive enclosures.
- Voltage Monitors – Detect unexpected power fluctuations.
- Firmware Integrity Checks – Prevent unauthorized code execution.
What Undercode Say
EMFI attacks are a growing threat to IoT security, and low-cost tools make them accessible to both researchers and malicious actors. Understanding these vulnerabilities helps in designing resilient hardware.
Expected Output:
- Successful voltage glitch triggering.
- Dumped firmware from the target device.
- Extracted cryptographic material or bypassed security checks.
Prediction
As IoT devices proliferate, EMFI attacks will become more prevalent, pushing manufacturers to adopt stronger hardware-based security measures like tamper-resistant chips and real-time anomaly detection.
Reference:
Affordable EMFI Attacks Against Modern IoT Chips (PDF)
References:
Reported By: Alexrweyemamu Diy – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅
