Embedded Device Firmware Modification for Attack Inhibition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Embedded devices are vulnerable to attacks due to their proprietary firmware and lack of security measures, making them susceptible to exploitation and malicious code injection, which traditional antivirus software cannot effectively address.
Innovation Solution
Mechanisms are provided to inject and modify firmware on embedded devices using high-level programming languages, creating a fortified execution environment by removing unused code, restructuring program instructions, and inserting defensive payloads and policies, without altering the device's behavior, to enhance security and detect unauthorized modifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional antivirus software is used to protect embedded devices, then security coverage is provided for general computers, but embedded devices remain vulnerable due to proprietary firmware and lack of compatibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a firmware modification system that acts as an intermediary between the original firmware and the embedded device hardware. This system intercepts and modifies the firmware binary to insert security monitoring code, enabling antivirus functionality without requiring direct compatibility between traditional antivirus software and proprietary embedded device firmware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of running traditional antivirus applications on embedded devices with a binary-level firmware modification approach. Instead of using software applications that require OS compatibility, the solution operates at the firmware binary level, substituting the need for mechanical software installation and execution with direct binary manipulation and code insertion.
2Reliability
If firmware is modified to insert security code, then security detection capability is enhanced, but device behavior may be altered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by inserting security monitoring code only in specific locations within the firmware where security-relevant operations occur. The modification is localized to critical sections such as authentication routines, data processing functions, and system call interfaces, leaving the rest of the firmware unchanged to maintain original device behavior.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary analysis of the firmware binary to identify safe insertion points before modifying the code. The system预先 (in advance) determines which firmware sections can accommodate security code without affecting device functionality, and prepares the modification plan before actual firmware deployment to ensure behavior consistency.
3Reliability
If unused code is removed from firmware to create free memory locations, then space for defensive payloads is created, but firmware functionality may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes unused or redundant code sections from the firmware binary to create free memory locations for security code insertion. The system identifies and extracts non-critical code segments, dead code, and unused functions, separating them from the essential device functionality to make space for defensive payloads without affecting core operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates copies of essential firmware functions in optimized or compressed forms to replace original larger code sections. By copying and re-optimizing critical functions, the system reduces the size of essential code while maintaining functionality, thereby creating additional space for security code without removing any actual device capabilities.
4Reliability
If firmware is restructured to insert defensive payloads, then security hardening is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters of the firmware modification process by using automated binary analysis tools and heuristic algorithms to dynamically determine insertion points and code transformations. Instead of requiring manual firmware restructuring for each device, the system adjusts parameters such as code insertion locations, payload sizes, and restructuring strategies automatically based on firmware characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal firmware modification framework that can be applied across multiple embedded device types and firmware versions. The system uses multi-functional analysis tools that can handle different firmware formats, architectures, and structures, enabling security hardening through a single standardized process rather than device-specific manual modification procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and media for inhibiting attacks on embedded devices are provided. In some embodiments, a system for inhibiting on embedded devices is provided, the system comprises a processor that is configured to: identify an embedded device that is configured to provide one or more services to one or more digital processing devices within a communications network; receive a first firmware associated with the embedded device; generate a second firmware that is functionally equivalent to the first firmware by: determining unused code within the first firmware; removing the unused code within the second firmware; and restructuring remaining code portions of the first firmware into memory positions within the second firmware; and inject the second firmware into the embedded device.