IC unlock, also known as IC decrypt, IC attack, or IC crack, is a process of decrypting integrated circuits (ICs) through semiconductor reverse engineering. Typically, an IC is encrypted during the manufacturing process, and an IC unlock service decrypts it so that the programmer can read its programming.
There are several ways to achieve IC unlock or decrypt, and attackers can extract critical information from the IC or MCU through chip design flaws or software defects. Here are eight effective ways to achieve IC unlock:
- Software attack: This technique involves exploiting protocols, encryption algorithms, or security holes in processor communication interfaces to perform attacks. For instance, attackers can take advantage of the loopholes in the design of the erasing operation sequence of single-chip microcomputers, such as the early ATMEL AT89C series microcontrollers, to stop the next operation of erasing the data in the on-chip program memory after erasing the encryption lock bit. As a result, the encrypted single-chip microcomputer becomes an unencrypted single-chip microcomputer that can be read using a programmer.
- Hardware attack: This technique involves probing the ICs and exploiting their vulnerabilities to extract the encrypted content. For instance, attackers can use microprobes or other probing devices to extract the encrypted content from the ICs.
- Side-channel attack: This technique involves exploiting the unintended information leaked by the IC during its normal operation to infer its secrets. For instance, attackers can use power analysis, electromagnetic analysis, or acoustic analysis to extract the secret key from the IC.
- Fault injection attack: This technique involves injecting faults into the IC to cause it to malfunction and reveal its secrets. For instance, attackers can use laser pulses, voltage spikes, or clock glitches to induce errors in the IC and obtain the secret key.
- Reverse engineering: This technique involves analyzing the IC’s physical structure and electrical characteristics to derive its secrets. For instance, attackers can use scanning electron microscopy (SEM), focused ion beam (FIB), or X-ray microscopy to analyze the IC’s physical structure and circuitry.
- Code analysis: This technique involves analyzing the IC’s programming code to find vulnerabilities or weaknesses that can be exploited to obtain its secrets. For instance, attackers can use disassemblers, decompilers, or debuggers to analyze the IC’s code and find security flaws.
- Memory analysis: This technique involves analyzing the IC’s memory to extract its secrets. For instance, attackers can use memory dumpers or memory analyzers to extract the IC’s contents and find the secret key.
- Social engineering: This technique involves tricking or persuading someone who has access to the IC’s secrets to reveal them. For instance, attackers can use phishing, pretexting, or other social engineering techniques to obtain the IC’s secrets from the personnel who have access to them.
IC Unlock Service:
Our IC unlock service specializes in decrypting and extracting program codes from embedded chips like DSP, ARM, and MCU. We also extract the circuit diagram and PCB file by mapping the PCB circuit board. With the extracted chip program and PCB circuit diagram, we can carry out analysis and research for secondary development. Our professional team has extensive experience in semiconductor reverse engineering and is equipped with advanced equipment to ensure accurate and efficient IC unlock services. Trust us to provide you with reliable and high-quality IC unlock services for your specific needs.