summaryrefslogtreecommitdiff
path: root/2016/cellular_modems_33c3/33c3-modems.adoc
diff options
context:
space:
mode:
Diffstat (limited to '2016/cellular_modems_33c3/33c3-modems.adoc')
-rw-r--r--2016/cellular_modems_33c3/33c3-modems.adoc528
1 files changed, 528 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/2016/cellular_modems_33c3/33c3-modems.adoc b/2016/cellular_modems_33c3/33c3-modems.adoc
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e00627f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/2016/cellular_modems_33c3/33c3-modems.adoc
@@ -0,0 +1,528 @@
+
+Dissecting modern (3G/4G) cellular modems
+=========================================
+:author: Harald Welte, Holger Hans Peter Freyther
+:copyright: Harald Welte, Holger Hans Peter Freyther (License: CC-BY-SA)
+:backend: slidy
+:max-width: 45em
+
+//include::33c3-modems.css[]
+
+== This talk
+
+* Our motivation
+* A bit of History
+* Selecting a device
+* An unexpected surprise
+* Firmware upgrade
+* Outlook/Recommendations/Wishes
+
+== Motivation
+
+// 9 years of Osmocom?
+// 3G and 4G development
+// Hardware for decoding
+* Implementing GSM specifications for the last decade (OpenMoko, Osmocom)
+* 8 years since _Anatomy of Smartphone Hardware_ at 25C3
+* 7 years since OsmocomBB for GSM
+* Used and built M2M devices using 2G modems at work
+* so we're looking for a modem that can be used for
+** our next-generation M2M/embedded devices
+** testing/logging/tracing Osmocom 3G/4G network-side software
+** building more tools to help understanding cellular technology
+
+== Cellular Modems in M2M
+
+image:images/sl6087_hw.png[height=300,role="gimmick_right"]
+
+* Assume you want to build a M2M device
+* Classic approach to M2M/Embedded cellular:
+** Cellular modem with AT commands over Serial/USB
+** Main Processor runs M2M application
+* if you run Application in Modem, you can save PCB space, power and BOM cost
+** OpenAT by Sierra Wireless
+*** Write C code using OpenAT APIs
+*** Dynamically loaded into the RTOS
+*** Runs without privilege separation, MMU
+*** Protocol to multiplex AT, log, debug
+*** Discontinued HW platform => Locked in
+*** Various other limitations
+
+== Device requirements
+
+Our requirements for a good modem
+
+** Ability to run application code inside modem
+** Avoid modem supplier vendor lock-in (EOL, ...)
+** Get textual logging when handling messages
+** Get a copy of the radio network messages and export to GSMTAP
+*** Like Tobias Engels https://github.com/2b-as/xgoldmon[x-goldmon]
+*** But for all GPRS, EGPRS, UMTS and LTE messages
+
+== Qualcomm DIAG protocol
+
+* Qualcomm DIAG in many products (DVB-H, GSM, ...)
+* https://events.ccc.de/congress/2011/Fahrplan/attachments/2022_11-ccc-qcombbdbg.pdf[Presented] by Guillaume Delugre at 28C3
+* Simple HDLC frame (0x7e), cmd, data, CRC16
+
+* Events, Logging, Command/Response
+* Thousands of different message structures
+* ModemManager, gsm-parser consume only a small fraction
+
+image:images/diag_frame.svg[width="90%"]
+
+== Selecting a device
+
+image:images/28c3_option_stick.png[width="30%",role="gimmick_right"]
+
+* Old Option Icon 225 stick exposes DIAG out of the box
+* Quectel UC20 (2G+3G) expose DIAG by default
+** but no LTE support
+* Quectel EC20 (2G+3G+4G) expose DIAG by default
+** 2G, 3G and 4G sounds quite nice
+** EC20 not only a LGA solder module but also as mini-PCIe
+*** convenient for early testing / prototyping without custom board
+
+image:images/ec20.png[height=300,role="gimmick_right"]
+
+* EC20 using a Qualcomm MDM9615 chipset
+** Also used in the iPhone5
+** Almost no documentation on MDM9615 available
+** Still, a good candidate for starting our research...
+
+// Erst ein mal EC20 und sagen wieso es interessant ist
+// und dann, dass es Linux hat.. um dann ein Block diagram
+// zu haben?
+
+[role="change_topic"]
+== An unexpected surprise
+
+== Firmware update, hints of Linux
+
+* Got a firmware upgrade to fix stability / bugs
+* Looks like it contains traces of Linux?
+* Looks like it uses fastboot for the update
+* Other people have already found Linux in MDM9615 based products (e.g https://media.defcon.org/DEF%20CON%2023/DEF%20CON%2023%20presentations/DEFCON-23-Mickey-Shkatov-Jesse-Michael-Scared-poopless-LTE-and-your-laptop-UPDATED.pdf[Mickey Shkatov] at DEFCON 23)
+* But why would there be Linux inside a Modem?
+** Qualcomm is known for their REX/AMSS on Hexagon baseband ?!?
+* And if it contains Linux, GPL requires them to mention that, include
+ License text and provide source code ?!?
+
+== GPL compliance
+
+* No written offer, let's see if it runs Linux
+* Armijn Hemels `gpltool.git` has `unyaffs` to unpack yaffs
+* `strings`, etc. clearly reveal Linux, glibc, busybox
+** other interesting strings like `AT+QLINUXCMD=?` show up
+* The fun and exploration begins...
+** technical analysis (serial console, firmware reversing, ...)
+** legal enforcement to get source code of GPL/LGPL components (Harald is founder of http://gpl-violations.org[gpl-violations.org])
+
+== Hardware based analysis
+
+* mPCIe modules often expose additional signals like PCM audio on
+ non-standard pins
+* existing PC/embedded mainboards don't use those signals
+* create Osmocom mPCIe-breakout board to access those signals
+* https://osmocom.org/projects/mpcie-breakout/wiki
+
+image:images/mpcie_breakout.jpg[width="70%"]
+
+== Serial Console
+
+* EC20 solder module documents DBG_UART pinout, but not all modules
+ have it enabled?
+* serial console is at 1.8V, but the 1.8V supply is not accessible (so
+ not easy to add external level shifter / Vref)
+* create Osmocom multi-voltage USB-UART with selectable 1.8,
+ 2.3, 2.5, 2.8, 3.0 and 3.3V logic level
+
+image:images/mv_uart.jpg[width="40%",role="gimmick_right"]
+
+* https://osmocom.org/projects/mv-uart/wiki
+* root password (DES hash): `oelinux123`
+
+== Retro-fitting Serial Console to mPCIe module
+
+* unfortunately the DBG_UART on the LGA module solder pads is not
+ exposed to mPCIE
+* some soldering required to retro-fit a 2.54mm header:
+
+image:images/ec20_uart.jpg[width="70%"]
+
+== GPL compliance
+
+* Linux basis created by Qualcomm and used by Quectel
+** https://wiki.codeaurora.org/xwiki/bin/QLBEP/
+** Many branches, releases, which to use?
+
+[quote, Tonino Perazzi]
+I tried instruction above to build yaffs2 for MDM9615, so I downloaded source `M9615AAAARNLZA1611161.xml` but during compilation I faced some libs that are missing such as libQMI and acdb-loader..
+
+image:images/qualcom_many_releases.png[width="80%"]
+
+== GPL compliance
+
+[qanda]
+Asking for the complete and corresponding source::
+[quote,Quectel]
+** The source code of Qflash tool in Linux is attached, [...]
+[qanda]
+Asking again for the complete and corresponding source::
+[quote,Quectel]
+We never been in legal dispute and we always make sure to understand IPR ahead of using technology belonging to third party.
+
+image:images/quectel_ipr.jpg[width="100%"]
+
+== GPL compliance
+
+[qanda]
+Asking for the complete and corresponding source::
+[quote,Quectel]
+ We appreciate the efforts that your client had put into the open source
+project netfilter/_iptable_. However, [...] *your client does not have the right to
+empower the copyright*. We think software netfilter/iptable is built on
+the code operating system _GUN_/Linux, thus subject to GPL terms, where FSF
+requires that each author of code incorporated in FSF projects either
+provide copyright assignment to FSF or disclaim copyright. Therefore,
+It seems that *your client does not have the copyright on netfilter/iptable.* +
+ +
+As one of the leading providers of wireless solution, *Quectel is always
+respectful IPR*. We would like to compliant with GPL and do some necessary
+statements,including a disclaimer or appropriate notices. Under the terms
+of GPL, we would like to dedicate Kernel code of EC25x to free software
+community.
+
+== GPL compliance
+
+[qanda]
+Asking for the complete and corresponding source::
+[quote,Quectel]
+ Many thanks for your detailed explanations GPL/LGPL license terms and the practical methods. I will carefully study your suggestions again and find a proper way to open GLP/LGPL licensed software. Basically, we will simply provide a tarball of open source for download at this time. And release the git repositories in next step.
+
+[qanda]
+Asking for the complete and corresponding source::
+[quote,Quectel]
+ We are always willing to achieve GPL compliance.
+
+[qanda]
+Asking for the complete and corresponding source::
+[quote,Quectel]
+ So we need some time to know of all things and construct the Open Source projects. Within a short time, we cannot construct a perfect web site to present Open Source things now. However, we will continue to do like that.
+
+== GPL compliance
+
+[qanda]
+Your tarball is missing some files::
+[quote,Quectel]
+We have issued all GPL licensed source code.
+*We have no the xt_dscp file in the project, and nor Qulacomm*. It must be
+caused by your compilation environment.
+If you have more question or problem during the development with Quectel
+module, please add my Skype ID (XXXXX), I will continue to support you
+on Skype. +
+*The email will not discuss the compiling issue any more.*
+
+
+
+== GPL compliance
+
+* ... many months later
+** we have received various source tarballs
+** they contain not only GPL/LGPL code but other FOSS code (thanks!)
+** full license compliance still not achieved, but improving...
+* Sierra Wireless Legato is a positive example of a competitor
+** they not only provide the OE/Linux source but extensive
+documentation!
+** but they try to lure customers into a proprietary Legato framework,
+and thus again vendor-lock-in :(
+
+image:images/legato_flash.png[width="80%"]
+
+[role="change_topic"]
+== MDM 9615 HW and SW
+
+
+== Qualcomm Hardware
+
+* Qualcomm MDM9615 chipset
+* Used in the iPhone 5 and automotive
+* Modems like Quectel EC20, Sierra Wireless MC7355
+* No public HW documentation?!
+* Either not many people study it or are not allowed to share?
+
+== MDM 9615 HW Overview
+
+* ????
+// Block diagram?
+// Listing of interfaces.
+// Show it is a highly complex SoC... with even more things
+// that are unknown.. device tree file, peripheral, etc
+
+
+== How to access the system?
+
+* serial console requires soldering re-work and is slow
+* easy mechanism to get shell and transfer files from/to target
+* Android `adbd` present on the modem but not exposed via USB
+* it's possible to re-configure the Linux kernel Android USB Gadget:
+** `AT+QLINUXCMD="/usr/bin/usb_uartdiag"`
+** device re-enumerates with different composite USB interfaces
+* Linux kernel driver on host needs patching (static interface
+ mapping assumption)
+** patches available in `quectel-experiments.git`, documented in wiki
+
+
+== MDM 9615 AP SW Overview
+
+image:images/gandroid_logo.png[height=200,role="gimmick_right"]
+
+The software stack seems to be called *Qualcomm LE*
+
+* Android Bootloader
+* Android Linux kernel
+* Android Debug Bridge (adb)
+* but: GNU libc, busybox userland
+* Using OpenEmbedded to build images
+* Developed and maintained by Qualcomm
+
+
+== Qualcomm Linux kernel overview
+
+* Qualcomm Android Linux kernel
+* Huge changes compared to mainline `git diff -w | wc -l`
+** `v3.0.21` in EC20: 1.5 million lines
+** `v3.18.20` in EC25: 1.9 million lines
+* Expected: CPU + peripheral drivers
+* Less expected:
+** smem_log (shared memory logging)
+** ipc_log (inter-processOR communication)
+** remote spinlocks
+
+== Qualcomm Linux kernel subsystems
+
+Some of the Qualcomm-specific kernel sub-systems
+
+[cols="20%,80%"]
+|===
+|SMD|Shared Memory Device
+|IPC|Inter Processor Communications
+|RMNET|Remote Network
+|BAM|Bus Access Manager
+|IPA|Internet Packet Accelerator
+|DIAGFWD|DIAG Forwarding
+|AF_MSM_IPC|Socket family for Qualcomm IPC
+|===
+
+== Qualcomm LE System Architecture
+
+image:images/qualcomm_le.svg[width="50%",role="gimmick_right"]
+
+* simplified block diagram
+* USB interface fully controlled by Linux AP
+** very complex Qualcomm Android USB Gadget
+** some endpoints mapped to SMD queues
+** other endpoints handled by _regular_ Linux
+** GPS NMEA takes completely different path than AT commands, despite
+both being serial ports?
+** DIAG and QMI handled in more complex ways
+
+== DIAG in Qualcomm LE
+
+* DIAG interface of Modem exposed on SMD
+* diagfwd distributes messages between USB, SMD and `/dev/diagchar`
+* Linux userspace processes don't use syslog, but diag msg for logging via `libdiag.so`
+
+image:images/diag.svg[width="100%"]
+
+== QMI in Qualcomm LE
+
+every `rmnet` data device has associated QMI control
+
+* on your Linux PC: `qmi_wwan` and `/dev/cdc-wdm`
+* on Qualcomm LE modem: `/dev/smdcntlN`, multiplexed by `qmuxd`
+
+image:images/qmi_smd_qmuxd.svg[width="100%"]
+
+== Tools for analysis
+
+We created some tools to help our analysis
+
+* used OE to build matching `opkg` and OE packages for `socat`, `lsof`, `strace`
+* FOSS programs for the Linux AP linked against proprietary `libqmi-framework.so`
+** `qmi_test`: Simple program to read IMEI via QMI
+** `atcop_test`: Test program to implement AT commands in Linux userspace
+* 100% FOSS programs
+** `qmuxd_wrapper`: LD_PRELOAD wrapper for tracing between `qmuxd` and QMI clients
+** `libqmi-glib` transport support for `qmuxd` (work in progress)
+** `osmo-qcdiag`: Host tool for obtaining DIAG based logs from Linux programs + QMI traces, decoded via `libmi-glib`
+
+== Userspace programs
+
+We found a bunch of proprietary Linux userspace programs
+
+[cols="20%,80%"]
+|===
+|`adbd`|Implements Android Debug Bridge
+|`atfwd_daemon`|Implement Quectel-Specific AT Commands
+|`quectel_daemon`|?; various ASoC related bits
+|`qti`|?
+|`mbim`|Mobile Broadband IF Model (translates MBIM to QMI)
+|`QCMAP_ConnectionManager`|runs linux-base WiFi AP/router with LTE backhaul
+|`quec_bridge`|reads GPS NMEA from `/dev/nmea` and writes it to `/dev/ttyGS0`
+|===
+
+[role="change_topic"]
+== Funny bits + pieces
+
+== Funny AT commands
+
+* `AT+QLINUXCMD`, e.g. switch usb config to get adb
+** arbitrary shell commands executed as root on r/w rootfs!
+* `AT+QFASTBOOT`, switch to the bootloader
+* `AT+QPRINT`, print dmesg
+* AT for `system("echo mem > /sys/power/state")`
+
+== How many processes does it take to reboot a system?
+
+* `rebootdiagapp` registers DIAG command (cmd code 0x29)
+** spawns thread that runs `system("qmi_simple_ril_test input=/tmp/reset")`
+** `system("echo 'modem reset' > /tmp/reset")`
+*** makes `qmi_simple_ril_test` send a QMI message to modem
+** `system("rm /tmp/reset")`
+** writes "REBOOT" to `/dev/rebooterdev` this time using `fwrite()`!
+* `reboot_daemon` reads `/dev/rebooterdev`
+
+----
+read_count = read(pipe_fd,buf,MAX_BUF-1);
+/* if read REBOOT_STR, then call reboot */
+if(strncmp(buf,REBOOT_STR,strlen(REBOOT_STR)) == 0) {
+ debug_printf("going for reboot\n");
+ printf("reboot-daemon: initiating reboot\n");
+ system("reboot");
+}
+----
+
+== C programs that look like shell scripts
+
+* strings /usr/bin/quectel_daemon
+
+----
+echo "nau8814-aif1" > /sys/devices/platform/soc-audio.0/tx_dai_name
+cp -f /cache/usb/qcfg_usbcfg /etc/; cp -f /cache/usb/usb /etc/init.d/
+echo 90 >/sys/kernel/debug/pm8xxx-pwm-dbg/0/duty-cycle
+pkill -f "/bin/sh /usr/bin/nmea_demon.sh"
+ps ef | grep "quec_bridge /dev/nmea /dev/ttyGS0" | grep -v grep
+cd /cache/ufs;ls
+----
+
+[role="change_topic"]
+== Firmware upgrade
+
+== recovery and applypatch
+
+* Qualcomm uses https://android.googlesource.com/platform/bootable/recovery.git/+/android-4.0.4_r2.1[recovery.git] from Android ~4.0
+* Updates are zip files with deltas, SHA1+RSA
+* recovery started on boot, drives applypatch
+----
+// Look for an RSA signature embedded in the .ZIP file comment given
+// the path to the zip. Verify it matches one of the given public
+// keys.
+----
+
+== Qualcomm EC20 firmware upgrade
+
+image:images/redbend.png[width="30%",role="gimmick_right"]
+
+* Based on the recovery.git code
+* But for some reason using RedBend for the update (legacy?)
+* RSA still linked into the binary but not used
+* RedBend used by many more companies and systems (e.g. Quectel UC20, automotive)
+
+
+== RedBend (delta update) software
+
+* Used in OMA DeviceManagement as well? (e.g. https://www.blackhat.com/docs/us-14/materials/us-14-Solnik-Cellular-Exploitation-On-A-Global-Scale-The-Rise-And-Fall-Of-The-Control-Protocol.pdf[Mathew Solnik])
+* Lots of starring at hexdumps, lots of help from Dieter Spaar
+* Created tools to partially extract and create .diff files
+* Heavy in pointers/offsets, not robust
+* Crashes on crafted files
+* Not cryptographically signed!
+
+image:images/delta_header.png[width="80%"]
+
+
+== Firmware upgrade overview
+
+image:images/upgrade_process.svg[width="55%",role="gimmick_right"]
+//[source]
+----
+$ strings atfwd_daemon | egrep "wget|QCMAP|fota|update.z"
+
+... QCMAP_ConnectionManager /etc/mobileap_cfg.xml n n fotanet
+/usr/bin/wget -T 20 -t 3 %s -O %s
+mv %s %s && mkdir -p /cache/fota && echo %s > %s
+/cache/fota/ipth_config_dfs.txt
+rm -rf /cache/fota /cache/recovery /cache/update.zip
+Start download fota for update.zip
+----
+
+* atfwd_daemon can be asked to start upgrade
+* Configure APN, specify URL, store result to update.zip
+* Add status and reboot to recovery
+* Apply update.zip and reboot
+
+== Recommendation to modem vendors
+
+* It is great to have an open and accessible Qualcomm based modem for
+ further research and developing custom applications/extensions
+* Security issues (particularly unverified FOTA) must be fixed
+* We need security from attackers _without locking out the user/owner_
+** If vendors introduce verified boot and/or FOTA, allow owner specified keys!
+* Please keep it open, good for learning and many applications
+* Allow owners to modify the software of their device
+* Secure the FOTA upgrading with owner specified keys
+
+== Status and Outlook
+
+* Status today
+** Osmocom wiki with all our findings public now!
+** debug tools (`osmo-qcdiag`, LD_PRELOAD wrapper, `qmi_test`, etc.) released
+** mpcie-breakout + mv-uart released + available
+** `libqmi-glib` integration WIP
+* Outlook
+** we hope to grow documentation in wiki
+** please help us out: read code, play with devices + update wiki
+** OE/opkg package feed planned
+** aim is to have 100% FOSS userland on Cortex-A5
+
+== Unrelated Announcement
+
+* Osmocom project has gained support for 3G/3.5G during 2016
+* Osmocom suffers from lack of contributions :(
+* We want to motivate more contributions
+** _Accelerate 3.5G_ programme provides 50 free 3.5 femtocells to contributors
+** tell us how you would use your free femtocell to improve Osmocom
+** Call for Proposals runs until January 31st, 2017.
+** see http://sysmocom.de/downloads/accelerate_3g5_cfp.pdf
+
+== Questions
+
+* Questions?
+
+
+
+== Links
+
+* Our results / hacks
+** https://osmocom.org/projects/quectel-modems
+** git://git.osmocom.org/quectel-experiments.git
+** git://git.osmocom.org/osmo-qcdiag.git
+** ftp://ftp.osmocom.org/quectel (mirrored)
+* Collection of links for further study
+** ftp://ftp2.quectel.com/OpenSrc/
+** https://wiki.codeaurora.org/xwiki/bin/QLBEP/
+** https://events.ccc.de/congress/2011/Fahrplan/attachments/2022_11-ccc-qcombbdbg.pdf
+** https://media.defcon.org/DEF%20CON%2023/DEF%20CON%2023%20presentations/DEFCON-23-Mickey-Shkatov-Jesse-Michael-Scared-poopless-LTE-and-your-laptop-UPDATED.pdf
+** https://github.com/2b-as/xgoldmon
+** https://www.blackhat.com/docs/us-14/materials/us-14-Solnik-Cellular-Exploitation-On-A-Global-Scale-The-Rise-And-Fall-Of-The-Control-Protocol.pdf
personal git repositories of Harald Welte. Your mileage may vary