Hardware Hacking

A practical and innovative approach to securing UART-based communication in OT networks—without replacing existing infrastructure. I outline the critical vulnerabilities found in legacy UART protocols, including sniffing, injection, replay, and man-in-the-middle attacks, and explain why traditional IT security solutions don’t work in these environments. Instead, I introduce a new method that leverages the UART parity bit as a lightweight mechanism for authentication, synchronization, and encryption. Through three techniques—ParityLock, BaudMorph, and CipherBit—I demonstrate how we can significantly enhance UART security using existing protocol features, with minimal performance impact and no need for hardware changes.

When I speak about Hardware Hacking and its crucial role in the safety of our future, I always get asked a version of: “Why can’t I just use tools like Flipper Zero and do what hackers do, without going through the effort and dedication you are talking about?” It’s a fair question for someone new to Hardware Hacking, but it also points out a major misconception about what it means to truly be a hacker. I call these people Mimickers—those who rely on pre-made devices to mimic what they think hacking is.

A practical guide to building your first hardware hacking toolkit. From screwdrivers and wire cutters to logic analyzers and oscilloscopes, it outlines essential tools for beginners—focusing on quality, usefulness, and avoiding overkill. A must-read for anyone starting in hardware hacking.