From 4c3d46238022f0c9955ae7e8b10c9f1716dd871a Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Francis Rowe Date: Wed, 04 Feb 2015 04:14:49 -0500 Subject: Documentation: implement theme, drastically improve readability --- (limited to 'docs/security/t60_security.html') diff --git a/docs/security/t60_security.html b/docs/security/t60_security.html index 279d301..ad07878 100644 --- a/docs/security/t60_security.html +++ b/docs/security/t60_security.html @@ -13,283 +13,288 @@ -
+

Security on the ThinkPad T60

- -
- -

Or go back to main index

- -

Table of Contents

- - -

Hardware requirements

- - -

Software requirements

- - -

- Rationale -

-

- Most people think of security on the software side: the hardware is important aswell. - work. -

-

- This tutorial deals with reducing the number of devices that have direct memory access that - could communicate with inputs/outputs that could be used to remotely - command the machine (or leak data). All of this is purely theoretical for the time being. -

+

Hardware modifications to enhance security on the ThinkPad T60. This tutorial is incomplete at the time of writing.

+

Back to previous index

+ -

Disassembly

+
+

Table of Contents

+ +

Hardware requirements

+ +

Software requirements

+ +
-

- Remove those screws and remove the HDD:
- -

+
+

+ Rationale +

+

+ Most people think of security on the software side: the hardware is important aswell. +

+

+ This tutorial deals with reducing the number of devices that have direct memory access that + could communicate with inputs/outputs that could be used to remotely + command the machine (or leak data). All of this is purely theoretical for the time being. +

+
-

- Lift off the palm rest:
- -

+
-

- Lift up the keyboard, pull it back a bit, flip it over like that and then disconnect it from the board:
- -

+

Disassembly

-

- Gently wedge both sides loose:
- -

+

+ Remove those screws and remove the HDD:
+ +

-

- Remove that cable from the position:
- -

+

+ Lift off the palm rest:
+ +

-

- Now remove that bezel. Remove wifi, nvram battery and speaker connector (also remove 56k modem, on the left of wifi):
-
- Reason: has direct (and very fast) memory access, and could (theoretically) leak data over a side-channel.
- Wifi: The ath5k/ath9k cards might not have firmware at all. They might safe but could have - access to the computer's RAM trough DMA. If people have an intel - card(most T60 laptops come with Intel wifi by default, until you change it),then that card runs - a non-free firwamre and has access to the computer's RAM trough DMA! So - the risk-level is very high. -

+

+ Lift up the keyboard, pull it back a bit, flip it over like that and then disconnect it from the board:
+ +

-

- Remove those screws:
- -

+

+ Gently wedge both sides loose:
+ +

-

- Disconnect the power jack:
- -

+

+ Remove that cable from the position:
+ +

-

- Remove nvram battery (we will put it back later):
- -

+

+ Now remove that bezel. Remove wifi, nvram battery and speaker connector (also remove 56k modem, on the left of wifi):
+
+ Reason: has direct (and very fast) memory access, and could (theoretically) leak data over a side-channel.
+ Wifi: The ath5k/ath9k cards might not have firmware at all. They might safe but could have + access to the computer's RAM trough DMA. If people have an intel + card(most T60 laptops come with Intel wifi by default, until you change it),then that card runs + a non-free firwamre and has access to the computer's RAM trough DMA! So + the risk-level is very high. +

-

- Disconnect cable (for 56k modem) and disconnect the other cable:
- -

+

+ Remove those screws:
+ +

-

- Disconnect speaker cable:
- -

+

+ Disconnect the power jack:
+ +

-

- Disconnect the other end of the 56k modem cable:
- -

+

+ Remove nvram battery (we will put it back later):
+ +

-

- Make sure you removed it:
- -

+

+ Disconnect cable (for 56k modem) and disconnect the other cable:
+ +

-

- Unscrew those:
- -

+

+ Disconnect speaker cable:
+ +

-

- Make sure you removed those:
- -

+

+ Disconnect the other end of the 56k modem cable:
+ +

-

- Disconnect LCD cable from board:
- -

+

+ Make sure you removed it:
+ +

-

- Remove those screws then remove the LCD assembly:
- -

+

+ Unscrew those:
+ +

-

- Once again, make sure you removed those:
- -

+

+ Make sure you removed those:
+ +

-

- Remove the shielding containing the motherboard, then flip it over. Remove these screws, placing them on a steady - surface in the same layout as they were in before you removed them. Also, you should mark each screw hole after removing the - screw (a permanent marker pen will do), this is so that you have a point of reference when re-assembling the machine:
- - -

+

+ Disconnect LCD cable from board:
+ +

-

- Remove microphone (soldering iron not needed. Just wedge it out gently):
-
- Rationale:
- Another reason to remove the microphone: If your computer gets[1] compromised, it can - record what you say, and use it to receive data from nearby devices if - they're compromised too. Also, we do not know what the built-in microcode (in the CPU) is doing; it could theoretically - be programmed to accept remote commands from some speaker somewhere (remote security hole). In other words, - the machine could already be compromised from the factory. -

+

+ Remove those screws then remove the LCD assembly:
+ +

-

- Remove infrared:
- -

+

+ Once again, make sure you removed those:
+ +

-

- Remove cardbus (it's in a socket, no need to disable. Just remove the port itself):
-
- Rationale:
- It has direct memory access and can be used to extract sensitive details (such as LUKS keys). See - 'GoodBIOS' video linked at the end (speaker is Peter Stuge, a coreboot hacker). The video covers X60 - but the same topics apply to T60. -

+

+ Remove the shielding containing the motherboard, then flip it over. Remove these screws, placing them on a steady + surface in the same layout as they were in before you removed them. Also, you should mark each screw hole after removing the + screw (a permanent marker pen will do), this is so that you have a point of reference when re-assembling the machine:
+ + +

-

- Before re-installing the upper chassis, remove the speaker:
-
- Reason: combined with the microphone issue, this could be used to leak data.
- If your computer gets[1] compromised, it can be used to - transmit data to nearby compromised devices. It's unknown if it can be - turned into a microphone[2].
- Replacement: headphones/speakers (line-out) or external DAC (USB). -

+

+ Remove microphone (soldering iron not needed. Just wedge it out gently):
+
+ Rationale:
+ Another reason to remove the microphone: If your computer gets[1] compromised, it can + record what you say, and use it to receive data from nearby devices if + they're compromised too. Also, we do not know what the built-in microcode (in the CPU) is doing; it could theoretically + be programmed to accept remote commands from some speaker somewhere (remote security hole). In other words, + the machine could already be compromised from the factory. +

-

- Remove the wwan:
-
- Wwan (3d modem): They run proprietary software and have access to the - computer's RAM! So it's like AMT but over the GSM network which is - probably even worse.
- Replacement: external USB wifi dongle. (or USB wwan/3g dongle; note, this has all the same privacy issues as mobile phones. wwan not recommended). -

+

+ Remove infrared:
+ +

-

- This is where the simcard connector is soldered. See notes above about wwan. Remove simcard by removing battery - and then it's accessible (so, remember to do this when you re-assemble. or you could do it now?)
- -

+

+ Remove cardbus (it's in a socket, no need to disable. Just remove the port itself):
+
+ Rationale:
+ It has direct memory access and can be used to extract sensitive details (such as LUKS keys). See + 'GoodBIOS' video linked at the end (speaker is Peter Stuge, a coreboot hacker). The video covers X60 + but the same topics apply to T60. +

-

- Put those screws back:
- -

+

+ Before re-installing the upper chassis, remove the speaker:
+
+ Reason: combined with the microphone issue, this could be used to leak data.
+ If your computer gets[1] compromised, it can be used to + transmit data to nearby compromised devices. It's unknown if it can be + turned into a microphone[2].
+ Replacement: headphones/speakers (line-out) or external DAC (USB). +

-

- Put it back into lower chassis:
- -

+

+ Remove the wwan:
+
+ Wwan (3d modem): They run proprietary software and have access to the + computer's RAM! So it's like AMT but over the GSM network which is + probably even worse.
+ Replacement: external USB wifi dongle. (or USB wwan/3g dongle; note, this has all the same privacy issues as mobile phones. wwan not recommended). +

-

- Attach LCD and insert screws (also, attach the lcd cable to the board):
- -

+

+ This is where the simcard connector is soldered. See notes above about wwan. Remove simcard by removing battery + and then it's accessible (so, remember to do this when you re-assemble. or you could do it now?)
+ +

-

- Insert those screws:
- -

+

+ Put those screws back:
+ +

-

- On the CPU (and there is another chip south-east to it, sorry forgot to take pic) - clean off the old thermal paste (with the alcohol) and apply new (Artic Silver 5 is good, others are good too) - you should also clean the heatsink the same way
- -

+

+ Put it back into lower chassis:
+ +

-

- Attach the heatsink and install the screws (also, make sure to install the AC jack as highlighted):
- -

+

+ Attach LCD and insert screws (also, attach the lcd cable to the board):
+ +

-

- Reinstall that upper bezel:
- -

+

+ Insert those screws:
+ +

-

- Do that:
- -

+

+ On the CPU (and there is another chip south-east to it, sorry forgot to take pic) + clean off the old thermal paste (with the alcohol) and apply new (Artic Silver 5 is good, others are good too) + you should also clean the heatsink the same way
+ +

-

- Attach keyboard and install nvram battery:
- -

+

+ Attach the heatsink and install the screws (also, make sure to install the AC jack as highlighted):
+ +

-

- Place keyboard and (sorry, forgot to take pics) reinstall the palmrest and insert screws on the underside:
- -

+

+ Reinstall that upper bezel:
+ +

-

- Remove those covers and unscrew:
- -

+

+ Do that:
+ +

-

- Gently pry off the front bezel (sorry, forgot to take pics). -

+

+ Attach keyboard and install nvram battery:
+ +

-

- Remove bluetooth module:
- -

+

+ Place keyboard and (sorry, forgot to take pics) reinstall the palmrest and insert screws on the underside:
+ +

-

- Re-attach the front bezel and re-insert the screws (sorry, forgot to take pics). -

+

+ Remove those covers and unscrew:
+ +

-

- It lives!
- -

+

+ Gently pry off the front bezel (sorry, forgot to take pics). +

-

- Always stress test ('stress -c 2' and xsensors. below 90C is ok) when replacing cpu paste/heatsink:
- -

+

+ Remove bluetooth module:
+ +

+ +

+ Re-attach the front bezel and re-insert the screws (sorry, forgot to take pics). +

+ +

+ It lives!
+ +

+ +

+ Always stress test ('stress -c 2' and xsensors. below 90C is ok) when replacing cpu paste/heatsink:
+ +

+ +
+

Not covered yet:

@@ -306,7 +311,9 @@

A lot of this tutorial is based on that video. Look towards the second half of the video to see how to do the above.

+
+

Also not covered yet:

@@ -339,91 +346,108 @@ https://gitorious.org/gnutoo-for-coreboot/grub-assemble/source/a61f636797777a742f65f4c9c58032aa6a9b23c3: +
-

- Extra notes -

-

- EC: Cannot be removed but can be mitigated: it contains non-free - non-loadable code, but it has no access to the computer's RAM. - It has access to the on-switch of the wifi, bluetooth, modem and some - other power management features. The issue is that it has access to the - keyboard, however if the software security howto (not yet written) is followed correctly, - it won't be able to leak data to a local attacker. It has no network - access but it may still be able to leak data remotely, but that - requires someone to be nearby to recover the data with the help of an - SDR and some directional antennas[3]. -

-

- Intel 82573 Ethernet controller - on the X60 seems safe, according to Denis. -

+
+

+ Extra notes +

+

+ EC: Cannot be removed but can be mitigated: it contains non-free + non-loadable code, but it has no access to the computer's RAM. + It has access to the on-switch of the wifi, bluetooth, modem and some + other power management features. The issue is that it has access to the + keyboard, however if the software security howto (not yet written) is followed correctly, + it won't be able to leak data to a local attacker. It has no network + access but it may still be able to leak data remotely, but that + requires someone to be nearby to recover the data with the help of an + SDR and some directional antennas[3]. +

+

+ Intel 82573 Ethernet controller + on the X60 seems safe, according to Denis. +

-

- Risk level -

+
+

+ Risk level +

+
    +
  • Modem (3g/wwan): highest
    • +
  • Intel wifi: Near highest
    • +
  • Atheros PCI wifi: unknown, but lower than intel wifi.
    • +
  • Microphone: only problematic if the computer gets compromised.
    • +
  • Speakers: only problematic if the computer gets compromised.
    • +
  • EC: can be mitigated if following the guide on software security.
    • +
+
+
+ +
+

+ Further reading material (software security) +

- -

- Further reading material (software security) -

- - -

- References -

-

[1] physical access

-

- Explain that black hats, TAO, and so on might use a 0day to get in, - and explain that in this case it mitigates what the attacker can do. - Also the TAO do some evaluation before launching an attack: they take - the probability of beeing caught into account, along with the kind of - target. A 0day costs a lot of money, I heard that it was from 100000$ - to 400000$, some other websites had prices 10 times lower but that - but it was probably a typo. So if people increase their security it - makes it more risky and more costly to attack people. -

-

[2] microphone

-

- It's possible to turn headphones into a microphone, you could try - yourself, however they don't record loud at all. Also intel cards have - the capability to change a connector's function, for instance the - microphone jack can now become a headphone plug, that's called - retasking. There is some support for it in GNU/Linux but it's not very - well known. -

-

[3] Video (CCC)

-

- 30c3-5356-en-Firmware_Fat_Camp_webm.webm from the 30th CCC. While - their demo is experimental(their hardware also got damaged during the - transport), the spies probably already have that since a long time. - http://berlin.ftp.media.ccc.de/congress/2013/webm/30c3-5356-en-Firmware_Fat_Camp_webm.webm -

- -
- -

- Copyright © 2014 Francis Rowe <info@gluglug.org.uk>
- This document is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International Public License and all future versions. - A copy of the license can be found at ../license.txt. -

- -

- This document is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, - but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of - MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See ../license.txt for more information. -

+
+ +
+

+ References +

+
+

[1] physical access

+

+ Explain that black hats, TAO, and so on might use a 0day to get in, + and explain that in this case it mitigates what the attacker can do. + Also the TAO do some evaluation before launching an attack: they take + the probability of beeing caught into account, along with the kind of + target. A 0day costs a lot of money, I heard that it was from 100000$ + to 400000$, some other websites had prices 10 times lower but that + but it was probably a typo. So if people increase their security it + makes it more risky and more costly to attack people. +

+
+
+

[2] microphone

+

+ It's possible to turn headphones into a microphone, you could try + yourself, however they don't record loud at all. Also intel cards have + the capability to change a connector's function, for instance the + microphone jack can now become a headphone plug, that's called + retasking. There is some support for it in GNU/Linux but it's not very + well known. +

+
+
+

[3] Video (CCC)

+

+ 30c3-5356-en-Firmware_Fat_Camp_webm.webm from the 30th CCC. While + their demo is experimental(their hardware also got damaged during the + transport), the spies probably already have that since a long time. + http://berlin.ftp.media.ccc.de/congress/2013/webm/30c3-5356-en-Firmware_Fat_Camp_webm.webm +

+
+
+ +
+ +

+ Copyright © 2014, 2015 Francis Rowe <info@gluglug.org.uk>
+ This document is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International Public License and all future versions. + A copy of the license can be found at ../license.txt. +

+ +

+ This document is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, + but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of + MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See ../license.txt for more information. +

+ +
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