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Explore Intel firmware security through this comprehensive 8.5-hour course covering attack vectors and defense mechanisms in x86 system firmware. Begin with fundamental concepts including processor reset states, real mode operations, and the reset vector walkthrough, then progress through chipset architecture evolution and device identification techniques. Master input/output operations including memory-mapped I/O (MMIO) and port I/O access methods, followed by detailed PCIe configuration space manipulation and Option ROM (OROM) attack methodologies. Dive deep into SPI flash memory architecture, examining the programming interface, flash descriptor regions, and protection mechanisms including Protected Range Registers (PRRs) and FLOCKDN controls. Learn about System Management Mode (SMM) operations, SMRAM memory regions including CSEG and TSEG protection, and various SMM-based attack techniques such as caching attacks, remapping vulnerabilities, call-out exploits, confused deputy attacks, and Time-of-Check-Time-of-Use (TOCTOU) conditions. Investigate power transition vulnerabilities during ACPI sleep states and the circumvention of security locks including BLE, FLOCKDN, and D_LCK protections. Conclude with boot process security considerations and practical defense strategies, supported by optional hands-on laboratories for BIOS decoding, BAR manipulation, and flash descriptor analysis using real hardware examples.
