This class will teach you the basics of reverse engineering firmware (the software that controls hardware) with a focus on finding security weaknesses. You’ll learn how to extract and analyze firmware using tools like binwalk and Ghidra. We’ll focus on identifying issues like buffer overflows, hardcoded passwords, and insecure settings.

This is mainly a software-based class and it is an intro to a very complicated topic—some basic programming knowledge is helpful. Through hands-on activities, you’ll work with real firmware examples and develop a process for discovering vulnerabilities. By the end, you’ll have the skills to start exploring firmware for security flaws and help improve software safety by finding potential threats.

What to bring: You will need a computer with a Linux virtual machine (Ubuntu preferred) installed. Feel free to prepare this on your own laptop before class or borrow one of our laptops with a Linux VM pre-installed. There will not be time to set this up on your own laptop during class.

Pre-requisites: Basic programming knowledge. Please email the instructor, Dillon R at eater1234@gmail.com, if you have questions about qualifications.

Minimum Age: 18 years old and up. Ages 13-17 welcome with pre-approval from instructor and a guardian present.