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Hacking of consumer electronics

December 28, 2022

The hacking of consumer electronics is an increasingly common practice which users perform in order to customize and modify their devices beyond what is typically possible. This activity has a long history, dating from the days of early computer, programming, and electronics hobbyists.

Hardware hacking has allowed this smartphone to run with a desktop interface on an alternative operating system.

A notable case of the hacking of consumer electronics is jailbreaking of Apple iOS devices or the rooting of Android phones, although many other electronics such as video game consoles are regularly hacked. While these methods allow unrestricted modification of an existing operating system installation, some third-party operating systems have been developed as a replacement to a device's default OS, such as Replicant and postmarketOS on cellphones, or DD-WRT and tomato on routers.

The process of consumer electronics hacking is usually accomplished through modification of the system software, either an operating system or firmware, but hardware modifications are not uncommon.

The legality of hacking consumer electronics has been challenged over the years, with an example of this being the cracking of encryption keys used in High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection, where detractors have been threatened under the basis of legal action. However, some companies have encouraged hardware hacking, such as Google's Nexus and Pixel series of smartphones.

Overview

Many modern consumer electronics run either an operating system or firmware. When this is stored in a mutable storage device, these files can be modified to add functionality to the operating system, or to replace it entirely.

Method

Multiple methods are used in order to successfully hack the target device, such as gaining shell access, gathering information about the device hardware and software, before using the obtained information to manipulate the operating system.[1]

Shell access

Getting access to a shell allows the user to run commands to interact with the operating system. Typically, a root shell is aimed for, which grants administrative privileges, to let the user modify operating system files.

Root access can be obtained through the use of software exploits (i.e. bugs), through the bootloader console, or over a serial port embedded in the device, such as a JTAG or UART interface.[1]

In the case of gaining root privileges on an Android device, the process is known as rooting.

Unlocking the bootloader

 
A smartphone showing a bootloader screen
Main article: Bootloader unlocking

On some Android devices, the bootloader is locked for security to prevent installation of other operating systems.[2] Unlocking it is required before another OS can be installed.

On Android devices, Fastboot (Odin mode on Samsung devices) allows flashing of operating systems onto storage.[3]

Das U-Boot is a bootloader commonly used in embedded devices such as routers and Chromebooks.

Getting information

Getting information on the device's hardware and software is vital because exploits can be identified, which is subsequently used to either gain shell access, port an operating system to the device, etc.

Manufacturer use of open source software

A lot of device manufacturers include open source software in their products.[4] When the software used is licensed under a copyleft license, a manufacturer is obliged to provide the source code of the open source components. An instance of this was when Naomi Wu requested the GPLv2 licensed source code of the Linux Kernel branch of a smartphone vendor.[5]

A good share of consumer devices run on a modified Linux kernel,[4] which is forked before applying device-specific changes.[6] Android is an example of OS which makes use of the Linux kernel.

Countermeasures

Device manufacturers often include countermeasures to hinder hardware hacking, one of which is the use of cryptography to prevent unauthorized code from being executed. For example, Nvidia graphics cards have signed firmware to prevent tampering or hacking.

Devices

Smartphones

Hardware device removal

Whistleblower Edward Snowden showed Wired correspondent Shane Smith how to remove the cameras and microphones from a smartphone.[7]

Modifying default operating systems

One of the reasons hacking is done is to add or unlock features in an operating system.

Examples include:

Installing a third-party operating system

Another reason hacking is done is to allow unsupported operating systems to be installed.

General purpose computers

A general purpose computer has historically been open by design.

However, Apple's Apple silicon based Mac hardware is based on the ARM architecture, making it difficult to install a third-party operating system.

  • Asahi Linux allows a Linux-based operating system to be installed on M1-based Macs.

Multimedia devices and video game systems

There are many reasons video game consoles may be hacked.

Game consoles are often restricted in a way that may disallow unofficial games to be run on it (see Video game console#Licensing), and hacking is undertaken to allow unlicensed games to run on it, including pirated games.

Another reason is to allow features to be added, such as using the console as a multimedia player. An example of this is Xbox Media Player, which was made to allow pictures and movies to be shown on an Xbox.

Other devices

Devices allowing for hacking

 
Phones like the Galaxy Nexus, part of the Google Nexus series, are designed to allow root access and easy modification of the system[13]

Some devices—most commonly open source—are built for homebrew purposes, and encourage hacking as an integral part of their existence.

Legality

iOS jailbreaking was often considered illegal in the United States until a recent[when?] ruling by the U.S. Copyright Office declaring that jailbreaking an iPhone or other mobile device would no longer violate copyright law.[15] However, simultaneously, there is ongoing prosecution against hackers of videogame consoles under anti-circumvention violations of the DMCA. A main complication, in many cases, is the profiting from selling jailbroken or rooted equipment as a value-added service. At least some accused deny these charges and claim only to be making back-ups of legally purchased games.[16][17]

In around 2010, the High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection encryption system, which encrypts data running between cable boxes, Blu-ray players, and other similar devices and displays was cracked, and a copy of the master key needed to decrypt HDCP protected streams was posted on the internet. Intel, which created and now licenses HDCP technology, has stated that HDCP is sufficient to keep most users from circumventing it, but indicated that it may threaten legal action against more determined users under the DMCA.[18]

Also in around 2010, on the issue of the hacking of its then new interactive game controller the Kinect, Microsoft initially condemned and threatened legal action against those who hacked it, but soon after, it reversed this position and instead stated that it had intentionally left the device open, and would in fact not prosecute those who modified it.[19]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Hardware Hacking First Steps".
  2. ^ "Locking/Unlocking the Bootloader".
  3. ^ "Easily Unlock Your Android Bootloader With Fastboot". Lifewire.
  4. ^ a b "Consumer Electronics: Closing In on Open Source". LinuxInsider.
  5. ^ Karen Sandler (24 August 2021). ""Anyone???"". Software Freedom Conservancy.
  6. ^ "Mainlining".
  7. ^ Watercutter, Angela (26 May 2016). "Watch Edward Snowden Teach Vice How to Make a Phone 'Go Black'". Wired.
  8. ^ "Tweaker Turns GeForce GTX 690 Into a Quadro K5000". 23 March 2013.
  9. ^ "Hacking the Rigol DS1052E Oscilloscope with Linux".
  10. ^ "Manufacturer-Crippled Flir E4 Thermal Camera Hacked to Perform as High-End Model".
  11. ^ "Hacking Your GPS Firmware - ExtremeTech". 29 March 2005.
  12. ^ "Nikon Hacker • Portal".
  13. ^ Kralevich, Nick (2010-12-20). "Android Developers Blog: It's not "rooting", it's openness". Android-developers.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2011-11-27.
  14. ^ . source.android.com. Archived from the original on 2011-05-21.
  15. ^ German, Kent. "On Call: Go ahead and jailbreak, it's legal now | Dialed In — CNET Blogs". Cnet.com. Retrieved 2010-12-11.
  16. ^ . Geek.com. Archived from the original on 2012-10-09. Retrieved 2010-12-11.
  17. ^ Previous post Next post (2009-08-04). "Student Arrested for Jailbreaking Game Consoles — Update | Threat Level". Wired.com. Retrieved 2010-12-11.
  18. ^ Bright, Peter (2010-09-17). "Intel confirms HDCP key is real, can now be broken at will". Arstechnica.com. Retrieved 2010-12-11.
  19. ^ Murphy, David (2010-11-20). "Microsoft: We Left Kinect's USB Port Unprotected on Purpose". PCMag.com. Retrieved 2010-12-11.

External links

  • Hardware Hacking, No Starch Press
  • Hardware Hacking First Steps, OpenWRT Wiki

December 28, 2022
hacking, consumer, electronics, hacking, consumer, electronics, increasingly, common, practice, which, users, perform, order, customize, modify, their, devices, beyond, what, typically, possible, this, activity, long, history, dating, from, days, early, comput. The hacking of consumer electronics is an increasingly common practice which users perform in order to customize and modify their devices beyond what is typically possible This activity has a long history dating from the days of early computer programming and electronics hobbyists Hardware hacking has allowed this smartphone to run with a desktop interface on an alternative operating system A notable case of the hacking of consumer electronics is jailbreaking of Apple iOS devices or the rooting of Android phones although many other electronics such as video game consoles are regularly hacked While these methods allow unrestricted modification of an existing operating system installation some third party operating systems have been developed as a replacement to a device s default OS such as Replicant and postmarketOS on cellphones or DD WRT and tomato on routers The process of consumer electronics hacking is usually accomplished through modification of the system software either an operating system or firmware but hardware modifications are not uncommon The legality of hacking consumer electronics has been challenged over the years with an example of this being the cracking of encryption keys used in High bandwidth Digital Content Protection where detractors have been threatened under the basis of legal action However some companies have encouraged hardware hacking such as Google s Nexus and Pixel series of smartphones Contents 1 Overview 2 Method 2 1 Shell access 2 2 Unlocking the bootloader 2 3 Getting information 3 Manufacturer use of open source software 4 Countermeasures 5 Devices 5 1 Smartphones 5 1 1 Hardware device removal 5 1 2 Modifying default operating systems 5 1 3 Installing a third party operating system 5 2 General purpose computers 5 3 Multimedia devices and video game systems 5 4 Other devices 6 Devices allowing for hacking 7 Legality 8 See also 9 References 10 External linksOverview EditMany modern consumer electronics run either an operating system or firmware When this is stored in a mutable storage device these files can be modified to add functionality to the operating system or to replace it entirely Method EditMultiple methods are used in order to successfully hack the target device such as gaining shell access gathering information about the device hardware and software before using the obtained information to manipulate the operating system 1 Shell access Edit Getting access to a shell allows the user to run commands to interact with the operating system Typically a root shell is aimed for which grants administrative privileges to let the user modify operating system files Root access can be obtained through the use of software exploits i e bugs through the bootloader console or over a serial port embedded in the device such as a JTAG or UART interface 1 In the case of gaining root privileges on an Android device the process is known as rooting Unlocking the bootloader Edit A smartphone showing a bootloader screen Main article Bootloader unlocking On some Android devices the bootloader is locked for security to prevent installation of other operating systems 2 Unlocking it is required before another OS can be installed On Android devices Fastboot Odin mode on Samsung devices allows flashing of operating systems onto storage 3 Das U Boot is a bootloader commonly used in embedded devices such as routers and Chromebooks Getting information Edit Getting information on the device s hardware and software is vital because exploits can be identified which is subsequently used to either gain shell access port an operating system to the device etc Manufacturer use of open source software EditA lot of device manufacturers include open source software in their products 4 When the software used is licensed under a copyleft license a manufacturer is obliged to provide the source code of the open source components An instance of this was when Naomi Wu requested the GPLv2 licensed source code of the Linux Kernel branch of a smartphone vendor 5 A good share of consumer devices run on a modified Linux kernel 4 which is forked before applying device specific changes 6 Android is an example of OS which makes use of the Linux kernel Countermeasures EditDevice manufacturers often include countermeasures to hinder hardware hacking one of which is the use of cryptography to prevent unauthorized code from being executed For example Nvidia graphics cards have signed firmware to prevent tampering or hacking Devices EditSmartphones Edit Hardware device removal Edit Whistleblower Edward Snowden showed Wired correspondent Shane Smith how to remove the cameras and microphones from a smartphone 7 Modifying default operating systems Edit One of the reasons hacking is done is to add or unlock features in an operating system Examples include Windows Phone Apple iOS jailbreaking Google Android rooting Palm webOS developer mode Symbian OS executing unsigned code Jio phone Enabling WhatsApp to be installed Installing a third party operating system Edit Another reason hacking is done is to allow unsupported operating systems to be installed Replicant postmarketOS Firefox OS defunct General purpose computers Edit A general purpose computer has historically been open by design However Apple s Apple silicon based Mac hardware is based on the ARM architecture making it difficult to install a third party operating system Asahi Linux allows a Linux based operating system to be installed on M1 based Macs Multimedia devices and video game systems Edit There are many reasons video game consoles may be hacked Game consoles are often restricted in a way that may disallow unofficial games to be run on it see Video game console Licensing and hacking is undertaken to allow unlicensed games to run on it including pirated games Another reason is to allow features to be added such as using the console as a multimedia player An example of this is Xbox Media Player which was made to allow pictures and movies to be shown on an Xbox Microsoft Xbox Xbox 360 Xbox One Xbox Series X S Nintendo GameCube Game Boy Advance Nintendo DS Nintendo 3DS Homebrew Wii Wii homebrew Wii U Nintendo Switch Sony PlayStation Portable PlayStation 2 PlayStation 3 PlayStation Vita Others TiVo DVD player to remove regional restrictions user operation prohibition flag fast forward disabled in advertising clip etc and Macrovision video copy is flashing after copying to protect analog hole Blu ray players to remove regional restrictions Any non smart mobile phone To remove operator lock or SIM lock restriction Other devices Edit Graphing calculators Texas Instruments signing key controversy Video cards 8 Routers DD WRT OpenWRT Oscilloscopes 9 Thermographic cameras 10 GPS devices 11 Canon Digital cameras Nikon Digital cameras 12 Devices allowing for hacking Edit Phones like the Galaxy Nexus part of the Google Nexus series are designed to allow root access and easy modification of the system 13 Some devices most commonly open source are built for homebrew purposes and encourage hacking as an integral part of their existence Pandora console Samsung Tekno Chumby Ouya Nokia N900 Android Dev Phone Nexus One Nexus S Galaxy Nexus currently one of the phones recommended by the Android Open Source Project for software development 14 ZTE Open Many wireless routers firmware upgrade functions are not limited to accepting updates that have been signed by the device s manufacturer As a result open source firmware replacements have been created for many devices such as OpenWrt and DD WRT Legality EditiOS jailbreaking was often considered illegal in the United States until a recent when ruling by the U S Copyright Office declaring that jailbreaking an iPhone or other mobile device would no longer violate copyright law 15 However simultaneously there is ongoing prosecution against hackers of videogame consoles under anti circumvention violations of the DMCA A main complication in many cases is the profiting from selling jailbroken or rooted equipment as a value added service At least some accused deny these charges and claim only to be making back ups of legally purchased games 16 17 In around 2010 the High bandwidth Digital Content Protection encryption system which encrypts data running between cable boxes Blu ray players and other similar devices and displays was cracked and a copy of the master key needed to decrypt HDCP protected streams was posted on the internet Intel which created and now licenses HDCP technology has stated that HDCP is sufficient to keep most users from circumventing it but indicated that it may threaten legal action against more determined users under the DMCA 18 Also in around 2010 on the issue of the hacking of its then new interactive game controller the Kinect Microsoft initially condemned and threatened legal action against those who hacked it but soon after it reversed this position and instead stated that it had intentionally left the device open and would in fact not prosecute those who modified it 19 See also EditElectronics right to repair iOS jailbreaking Rooting Android OS Symbian OS Security bypass List of open source hardware projects Privilege escalation Unsigned codeReferences Edit a b Hardware Hacking First Steps Locking Unlocking the Bootloader Easily Unlock Your Android Bootloader With Fastboot Lifewire a b Consumer Electronics Closing In on Open Source LinuxInsider Karen Sandler 24 August 2021 Anyone Software Freedom Conservancy Mainlining Watercutter Angela 26 May 2016 Watch Edward Snowden Teach Vice How to Make a Phone Go Black Wired Tweaker Turns GeForce GTX 690 Into a Quadro K5000 23 March 2013 Hacking the Rigol DS1052E Oscilloscope with Linux Manufacturer Crippled Flir E4 Thermal Camera Hacked to Perform as High End Model Hacking Your GPS Firmware ExtremeTech 29 March 2005 Nikon Hacker Portal Kralevich Nick 2010 12 20 Android Developers Blog It s not rooting it s openness Android developers blogspot com Retrieved 2011 11 27 Building for devices Android Open Source source android com Archived from the original on 2011 05 21 German Kent On Call Go ahead and jailbreak it s legal now Dialed In CNET Blogs Cnet com Retrieved 2010 12 11 Famed Xbox hacker wants to testify in Xbox 360 modder s DMCA trial Video Games Reviews Cheats Geek com Archived from the original on 2012 10 09 Retrieved 2010 12 11 Previous post Next post 2009 08 04 Student Arrested for Jailbreaking Game Consoles Update Threat Level Wired com Retrieved 2010 12 11 Bright Peter 2010 09 17 Intel confirms HDCP key is real can now be broken at will Arstechnica com Retrieved 2010 12 11 Murphy David 2010 11 20 Microsoft We Left Kinect s USB Port Unprotected on Purpose PCMag com Retrieved 2010 12 11 External links EditHardware Hacking No Starch Press Hardware Hacking First Steps OpenWRT Wiki Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Hacking of consumer electronics amp oldid 1128371268, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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