Hardware Podcasts

018 - Ghidra

Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast · 15 Mar 2019 · 21m

What this episode covers

Thomas Daede, a reverse engineering hobbyist, discusses his experience using Ghidra, the NSA's newly released reverse engineering tool, to analyze firmware from a Sharp X68000 computer. He explains how Ghidra handles custom Application Binary Interfaces (ABIs) and decompiles handwritten assembly into C-like code, noting its user-friendly interface and undo functionality compared to IDA. The conversation covers Ghidra's extensive processor support, its P-code intermediate representation, and its utility for hobbyists modifying old software without source code.

Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
NSA, CrowdSupply
Products
Sharp X68000
Tools
Ghidra, IDA, radare, objdump, Virt-manager
Also
BlackHoodie

Related episodes from other shows

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Embedded.fm · 1h 09m

    334: Bag of Heuristics

    Matt Godbolt, creator of Compiler Explorer (godbolt.org) and the jsbeeb BBC Micro emulator, discusses the evolution of his open-source tools, the technical details of compiler internals, and the nostalgia of 6502 computing. He explains how Compiler Explorer helps developers understand assembly output, manage ABI constraints, and debug compiler bugs, while also detailing the security and privacy challenges of running arbitrary code on a public web service. Godbolt also shares insights into the BBC Micro's hardware quirks, the impact of Hyrum's Law on legacy systems, and the shift from transparent hardware to opaque modern processors.

    EDA & CAD toolsEmbedded firmware
    7 chapters

  • Embedded.fm · 1h 00m

    352: Baby's First Hydrofluoric Acid

    John McMaster, president of McMaster Consulting, explains the process of decapping computer chips to extract firmware and analyze their internal structure. He details the use of hydrofluoric acid, lapping machines, and focused ion beam (FIB) tools to delayer chips, allowing for the imaging of ROM and other circuitry. McMaster also discusses software tools like Rompar and bitract for converting microscope images into binary code, and shares insights on the legal and technical aspects of reverse engineering older hardware like the SNES S-PPU1.

    PCB design & layoutDebugging & failure analysis
    12 chapters

  • The Spark Gap · 42m

    The Spark Gap - Episode 24

    Hosts Carl and Corey discuss their 2015 resolutions, including revisiting basic electronics design and exploring open-source EDA tools like KiCad and Altium CircuitMaker. They announce a shift to a bi-weekly release schedule to allow for more guest interviews and higher-quality content. The episode then explores the topic of reverse engineering old hardware, citing examples like the original Xbox, cable modems, and Kinect sensors to demonstrate how discarded electronics can be repurposed or studied.

    EDA & CAD toolsDebugging & failure analysis
    5 chapters

  • The Pragmatic Embedded Podcast · 48m

    Offensive Cybersecurity with Ryan Torvik

    Ryan Torvik, founder and CEO of Tulip Tree Technology, explains the offensive cybersecurity mindset and how it applies to securing embedded systems. He details techniques for extracting and analyzing firmware using tools like IDA Pro and Ghidra, and discusses the importance of designing security from the start, including using standard libraries and secure languages like Rust. Torvik also describes Tulip Tree's emulation technology, which models hardware behavior to allow developers to test firmware and detect vulnerabilities without physical hardware.

    Security & privacyEmbedded firmware
    10 chapters

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 08m

    An interview with Alvaro and Jen from the URE Podcast

    Alvaro Prieto and Jen, hosts of the Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast, discuss their backgrounds in firmware engineering at companies like Apple, Amazon, and Planet. They contrast the high-volume, rapid-cycle nature of consumer electronics with the flexible timelines of industrial hardware, highlighting challenges like silicon errata, OTA update strategies, and the difficulty of finding competent firmware engineers. The conversation covers reverse engineering techniques, including protocol analysis and firmware dumping, inspired by creators like Micah Elizabeth Scott and Dimitri Greenberg.

    Embedded firmwareManufacturing partners & offshoring
    9 chapters

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.