Best Practices for Embedded System Security
author: Krzysztof Kaczor, COO, A4BEE
Embedded systems are a part of numerous technological devices we use in our daily lives. From our vehicles to mobile phones to specific industrial machines, all include embedded systems. Above all, the rising cyber crimes pose various challenges to their security. Hence, developing a secure embedded system is of utmost importance.
What is an Embedded System?
Let’s get our basics cleared before discussing security measures. An Embedded system is a microprocessor-based system designed as a combination of hardware and software to perform a specified function. It is sufficient to work as an independent system. But it is also used in larger systems. Embedded systems are programmable systems found in numerous devices such as cameras, consumer electronics, airplanes, toys, manufacturing robots, etc. Their complexities vary, and they can have either no UI or complicated GUIs, depending upon their functions.
How Does it Work?
These are low-cost, low-power-consuming supercomputers that work by becoming a part of a mechanical or electric system. Embedded systems include power supply, processor, memory, and communication ports.
Their processor can be a microprocessor or a microcontroller, which interprets the data with the help of their highly specified software. In addition, they use a real-time operating system to communicate with the hardware.
Future Trends
The digital transformation that we are going through requires the utilization of secure Embedded systems. Tech giants like Apple, IBM, and Intel manufacture chips needed for these systems.
Continuation of heavy investment in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Internet of Things, etc., will also result in the growth of the embedded systems industry. According to MarketsandMarkets, the embedded security market size is valued at USD 6.8 billion in 2022 and is anticipated to be USD 9.0 billion by 2027; growing at a CAGR of 5.9% from 2022 to 2027.
Vulnerability of Embedded Systems to Cyber Threats
One of the major issues hampering the growth of the embedded security market is the security of embedded devices. The armed forces, banks, data centers, and healthcare institutions may use information stored in embedded devices such as memory. Hence, protecting such devices from cyber-attacks and data breaches is crucial. Due to irregular security updates, long device life cycle, remote operation, difficult access — embedded systems are vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Market growth is restrained by security considerations.
What is Embedded System Security?
Embedded systems are a big part of our technological devices. And their use will grow over time. Hence, taking steps to prevent malicious intruders from damaging our devices is necessary.
Definition
Embedded system security includes the tools, processes, and best practices used to secure the components of embedded devices. The significant rise in cybercrimes requires us to implement security measures while designing embedded systems. It means implementing security practices while writing code and choosing the hardware. But incorporating security practices while designing the systems is a big challenge because of various limitations of their memory and storage.
- Embedded systems are susceptible to a hack. This is because they power a lot of devices connected to the internet. Hackers can destroy the entire system connected to the embedded devices.
- Moreover, hackers can take undue advantage of our crucial information. This risks both our personal and professional life. Thus, security is a need of the hour despite being a challenge.
Embedded Security Industry Faces Big Challenges
Securing an embedded system is challenging because most securities focus on protecting the device physically. As a result, it makes the software more susceptible to damage. These issues arise because of the various challenges like:
- Embedded systems are more complicated than traditional software. Adequate training is not given to the developers to write secure codes, and hence, they remain unaware of the best security practices.
- Using third-party components to design embedded systems without testing makes them vulnerable to bugs.
- Internet connection is available on most embedded devices. Hence, the firewalls are unable to protect them.
- The lack of unionized cybersecurity standards poses the risk of manufacturing below-par systems.
Characteristics of Most Common Attacks on Embedded Systems
“The only truly secure system is one that is powered off, cast in a block of concrete, and sealed in a lead-lined room with armed guards.” — Gene Spafford
We cannot do as told by the great computer science researcher above. But we can identify the types of most common attacks on Embedded systems and mitigate their risks.
Software-based Attacks
Hackers can easily attack software because they don’t require specific knowledge. Instead, they can attack the software remotely by deploying malware, brute-forcing, or exploiting web application security vulnerabilities. Moreover, there is more focus on securing the system’s physical components. Hackers can easily access sensitive data or gain control over the embedded system through this method.
Network-based Attacks
This attack can also be performed remotely. The hackers exploit network infrastructure vulnerabilities and can obtain and modify the traffic transmitted by the embedded system. Most common attacks include signal jamming, session hijacking, domain name system (DNS) poisoning, and man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks.
Side-channel Attacks
A side-channel attack is the most expensive attack because it requires the hacker to have expert-level knowledge of the hardware component. But if the hacker is successful in doing so, he can obtain information regarding the power consumption, electromagnetic leakage, operation timing, etc. Hence, they can figure out the inner workings of the system and connected devices and gain control over the whole system.
How to Secure Embedded Systems?
Securing an embedded system involves securing both hardware and software components.
Best Practices for Securing Hardware Components:
- Making certain memory regions non-executable so nobody can run any code there, barring a few exceptions.
- Different hardware components must be procured from reliable sources and tested before combining them.
- Moreover, hardware components must provide their functions independently to avoid damaging the whole system.
Best Practices for Securing Software Components:
- Sensitive information should be protected using encryption. You must store the encrypted private keys in robust and secured hardware.
- Any data received from an unreliable external source must be verified and checked before transferring to the critical components.
- If a received data results in changed settings, one must change the settings after appropriate verification.
- One application’s dependency on any third party must not be forced upon the entire operating system.
- The boot image should be verified using cryptographic algorithms every time the embedded system boots. It ensures the safety of the software.
- Use a microkernel OS that is smaller than a traditional OS and requires less code. This reduces the attack surface by segregating the userspace and kernel space.
Other Best Practices to Secure Embedded Systems:
- Keep strong passwords and change them regularly. Also, limit the number of login attempts on your embedded system.
- Minimize the attack surfaces, i.e., any point where the embedded system is exposed. This will limit the opportunity for hackers to invade your system.
- Using a well-engineered boot sequence will help avoid the risk of malicious intruders gaining access to your system.
- Secure the data stored on the embedded system by putting it at rest through encryption.
- Continually detect problems that indicate that your system will be or already has been hacked. You must fix the issues once you identify them.
- Communicate only with authenticated external sources and validate data received from every external source.
Conclusion
As discussed above, developing a secured embedded system is a challenge. But that should not stop us from implementing robust security measures to safeguard our devices. As the innovation in the industry speeds up, the security measures will become more fine-tuned with the requirements. But till then, you must identify and mitigate the risks using the available tools.
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