effort in unlocking CSM via brute force method

Sandeep Sirpatil

I am evaluating the security features and want to find how hard is it to unlock CSM via a brute force method. Assuming a good random key was programmed into the CSM and have a dedicated hardware setup to run JTAG and try brute forcing all combinations.

I believe there nothing in the CS that prevent brute force approach ( like time out after few tries etc.). In this case, programming with all zeros and permanently locking CSM should prevent brute force method.

Thanks,

Sandeep

over 13 years ago

0 Vivek Singh over 13 years ago

TI__Guru** 115281 points

Sandeep,

Which device you are evaluating? Please note that programming the passwords with all zero will permanently lock the device and will make device non-usable.

Regards,

Vivek Singh

0 Sandeep Sirpatil over 13 years ago in reply to Vivek Singh

Prodigy 210 points

Vivek,

I am looking at multiple devices in C2000 family, primarily F28x, F2803x.

I understand passwords with all zero will lock the device. I am relying on the custom bootloader to be able to erase the keys from the flash sector and unlock the device should it be needed. As per this post http://e2e.ti.com/support/microcontrollers/tms320c2000_32-bit_real-time_mcus/f/171/t/208010.aspx

Sandeep

0 Sandeep Sirpatil over 13 years ago in reply to Sandeep Sirpatil

Prodigy 210 points

I think I found a satisfactory answer.

If we assume JTAG clock at 10MHz and try and estimate the time it takes to just load the 128 bit of trial key and multiply by 2^128 for all the combinations . The time taken is 10.1 quadrillion times the age of Universe.

http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=%28%282^128%29+*+128%2F+%2810MHz%29+%29%2F%28age+of+the+universe+%29

I can rest my worries.

Thanks.

C2000™︎ microcontrollers

C2000 microcontrollers forum

effort in unlocking CSM via brute force method