Embedded Systems Security

Implement secure boot processes. Thus, during the startup sequence, only authorized software is loaded.

Utilize data encryption. This will help you avoid unauthorized access to private information.

Ensure regular updates and patching. This minimizes vulnerabilities, as some autonomous systems may not receive regular updates.

Implement strict access controls. You'll prevent unauthorized users from interacting with the system by limiting user permissions based on roles.

Conduct regular security audits. You'll be one step ahead by identifying potential vulnerabilities before they can be exploited, allowing for proactive measures to be taken.

When developing embedded software and systems, specialists take into consideration the main risks to ensure security through a combination of hardware and software protection. Embedded systems security needs are different depending on the industry. This emphasizes more the need for resilience reliability, and efficiency in their applications. Here are the main areas considered when developing a secure embedded system:

Hardware-Based Security Features. Trusted Platform Modules (TPMs) or Hardware Security Modules (HSMs) are used to store cryptographic keys and support secure boot.

Network Security Protocols. Using elements like VPNs and tailored firewalls, particularly for devices connected to the Internet or other networks.

Physical Security Measures. Implementing measures like tamper-proof enclosures or physical locks based on the physical placement of some embedded devices.

Data Protection Techniques. Ensuring data anonymization, hashing, and secure deletion methods to protect sensitive information from breaches.

Limited Resources

Sometimes, it's challenging to implement robust embedded systems security measures. This is because they often have limited CPU, memory and power, which may lead to vulnerability in case of attacks.

Weak Authentication

Devices can lack strong authentication mechanisms or use default passwords, facilitating unauthorized access to sensitive functions, especially in remote IoT deployments.

Inadequate Firmware Security

Firmware vulnerabilities and absent secure boot let attackers modify the firmware. They compromise functionality and create backdoors for replicated access.

Physical Accessibility

Embedded devices placed in unrestricted locations are prone to interferences. Thus, attackers can extract data or conduct side-channel attacks to deduce cryptographic keys.

Lack of Updates

Older devices which are no longer supported don't receive regular security updates. This exposes them to new vulnerabilities as attackers exploit known gaps, compromising the embedded systems security.

Supply Chain Vulnerabilities

Attackers can introduce vulnerabilities or backdoors during manufacturing or supply chain processes. Devices are compromised before deployment.

Insecure Communication Protocols

Outdated or insecure communication protocols expose devices to interception and tampering, enabling man-in-the-middle attacks.

Many studies have shown that embedded systems can be hacked through a variety of attacks such as physical, software, network, firmware, sensor, and supply chain attacks. Within each industry, vulnerabilities are related to risks that can turn into a successful attack if not addressed.

Physical Attacks

Side-Channel Attacks: The attackers can measure power consumption or electromagnetic emissions in order to extract sensitive data, such as cryptographic keys, from the embedded system. ^[3]

Fault Injection: This method includes the induction of errors in the device's environment through laser interference or voltage manipulation to gain unauthorized access. ^[2]

Reverse Engineering: Attackers disassemble devices, which enable them to understand their work and target particular vulnerabilities. ^[3]

Software-Based Attacks

Buffer Overflow: This is an attack method where extra inputs are sent to overwrite memory, thereby allowing arbitrary code execution by leveraging the overflow. ^[6]

Code Injection: Code injection and execution may occur through vulnerable software interfaces or unprotected memory fragments. ^[4]

Privilege Escalation: When embedded systems security lacks, software bugs may grant higher privilege levels for sensitive operations. ^[1]

Network Attacks

Denial-of-Service (DoS): Sending massive volumes of traffic that can slow the device or render it non-operational. ^[3]

Man-in-the-Middle (MitM): This involves intercepting and manipulating communications from the embedded device to other systems. ^[3]

Remote Code Execution: Exploiting network vulnerabilities can enable remote control of devices ^[3]

Firmware Attacks

Firmware Overwrite: Malicious code can replace legitimate firmware, altering device behavior. ^[3]

Firmware Downgrade: Forcing devices to revert to vulnerable firmware versions can exploit known. ^[3]

Sensor and Actuator Attacks

Sensor Spoofing: The device misinterprets the environment due to the input of false data. ^[5]

Actuator Hijacking: Manipulating outputs can lead to physical harm or malfunctions. ^[5]

Supply Chain Attacks

Malicious Firmware: Vulnerable firmware can be injected during manufacturing. ^[3]

Hardware Trojans: Malicious components can provide hidden access to device functionality. ^[3]

References

[1] Atheer, Abu, Zaid, “Detection of Privilege Escalation in IoT System”, 2023, https://www.doi.org/10.32920/24043218.v1

[2] A. Cannon, T. Farheen, S. Roy, S. Tajik and D. Forte, "Protection Against Physical Attacks Through Self-Destructive Polymorphic Latch," 2023 IEEE/ACM International Conference on Computer Aided Design (ICCAD), San Francisco, CA, USA, 2023, pp. 1-9, https://doi.org/10.1109/ICCAD57390.2023.10323716

[3] E. Praveen Kumar, S. Priyanka, "A comprehensive survey on hardware-assisted malware analysis and primitive techniques", Computer Networks, Volume 235, 2023, available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comnet.2023.109967

[4] Noman, H.A.; Abu-Sharkh, “Code Injection Attacks in Wireless-Based Internet of Things (IoT): A Comprehensive Review and Practical Implementations, Sensors 2023, 23, 6067, https://doi.org/10.3390/s23136067

[5] S. Padhan and A. K. Turuk, "Design of false data injection attacks and their detection and mitigation in cyber-physical systems," 27th International Conference on Advanced Computing and Communications (ADCOM 2022), Bangalore, India, 2023, pp. 41-45, https://doi.org/10.1049/icp.2023.1454

[6] W. Wang, P. Zhwng, G. Wei, Z. Ge, Z. Qin and X. Sun, "Buffer Overflow Vulnerability Detection Based on Static Analysis-assisted Symbolic Execution," 2023 4th International Symposium on Computer Engineering and Intelligent Communications (ISCEIC), Nanjing, China, 2023, pp. 546-550, https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10271194