Open Platform Systems under Scrutiny: A Cybersecurity Analysis of the Device Tree

Dimitrios Tychalas, Michail Maniatakos

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Embedded systems are deployed in systems ranging from personal devices to systems deployed in critical infrastructure. Due to the advent of Industry 4.0 and the rising need for platform transparency and uniformity, developers opt for open-source modular system software that replace the conventional monolithic firmware approach. A common part of the modern embedded system is the Device Tree, a hardware description structure leveraged by the OS kernel. This modular approach and its malleability, however, can be exposed as a vulnerability and enable an array of attacks that would disrupt and destabilize the system. In this paper, we consider the Device Tree from a cybersecurity perspective. We identify scenarios that would enable covert attacks on a target system as well as propose countermeasures from the state-of-the-art.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication2018 25th IEEE International Conference on Electronics Circuits and Systems, ICECS 2018
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages477-480
Number of pages4
ISBN (Electronic)9781538695623
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2 2018
Event25th IEEE International Conference on Electronics Circuits and Systems, ICECS 2018 - Bordeaux, France
Duration: Dec 9 2018Dec 12 2018

Publication series

Name2018 25th IEEE International Conference on Electronics Circuits and Systems, ICECS 2018

Conference

Conference25th IEEE International Conference on Electronics Circuits and Systems, ICECS 2018
Country/TerritoryFrance
CityBordeaux
Period12/9/1812/12/18

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Instrumentation

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