Source URL: https://www.theregister.com/2025/01/16/raspberry_pi_awards_prizes_for/
Source: The Register
Title: Raspberry Pi hands out prizes to all in the RP2350 Hacking Challenge
Feedly Summary: Power-induced glitches, lasers, and electromagnetic fields are all tools of the trade
Raspberry Pi has given out prizes for extracting a secret value from the one-time-programmable (OTP) memory of the Raspberry Pi RP2350 microcontroller – awarding a pile of cash to all four entrants.…
AI Summary and Description: Yes
Summary: This text discusses a competition held by Raspberry Pi to uncover security flaws in their RP2350 microcontroller by offering cash prizes for successful hacks. The initiative aimed to enhance security before the microcontroller’s deployment in sensitive applications and contrasts the “security through transparency” approach with “security through obscurity.”
Detailed Description: The article highlights several key points regarding the Raspberry Pi RP2350 microcontroller and its security evaluation through hacker competitions.
– **Contest Overview:**
– Raspberry Pi launched a contest to enhance the security of the RP2350 microcontroller by offering rewards for correctly extracting a secret value from its one-time-programmable (OTP) memory.
– Initially, a $10,000 prize was offered, which was later doubled to $20,000 due to lack of participation, and ultimately, four valid submissions were received.
– **Security Focus:**
– The RP2350 targeted previous security weaknesses noted in its predecessor, the RP2040, which deterred some customers.
– By promoting an open challenge, Raspberry Pi aimed to identify and address vulnerabilities early in the development cycle.
– **Hacking Techniques:**
– Successful hacks required physical access to the microcontroller, utilizing various advanced techniques to induce faults or manipulate chip components.
– Noteworthy methodologies included:
– Inducing power faults.
– Utilizing a laser to disrupt chip integrity.
– Employing a focused ion beam to extract data.
– Conducting electromagnetic fault injections to evade detection.
– **Evaluation and Findings:**
– Raspberry Pi commissioned cybersecurity firm Hextree to rigorously evaluate the chip, leading to significant findings concerning its secure boot process.
– The transparency approach—sharing exploits publicly before deploying mitigations—raises security contrasts with traditional practices that focus on obscurity.
– **Philosophical Implications:**
– Upton emphasized that, while risky, the transparent strategy serves to confront known vulnerabilities rather than ignore them, altering how security is perceived and prioritized.
– There is consideration of shifting strategies over time based on the evolving landscape of device vulnerabilities.
– **Future Challenges:**
– Raspberry Pi plans to continue assessing security, indicating that the quest for robust cybersecurity measures is ongoing.
In summary, Raspberry Pi’s approach presents an intriguing case study for security and compliance professionals focused on hardware security, particularly in sensitive applications where robust defenses are paramount. Their experiences and findings could inform strategies across the industry regarding transparency, vulnerability handling, and proactive engagement with the security community.