98
submitted 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) by Tea@programming.dev to c/technology@lemmy.world

Source Link Privacy.Privacy test result

https://themarkup.org/blacklight?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tarlogic.com%2Fnews%2Fbackdoor-esp32-chip-infect-ot-devices%2F&device=mobile&location=us-ca&force=false

Tarlogic Security has detected a backdoor in the ESP32, a microcontroller that enables WiFi and Bluetooth connection and is present in millions of mass-market IoT devices. Exploitation of this backdoor would allow hostile actors to conduct impersonation attacks and permanently infect sensitive devices such as mobile phones, computers, smart locks or medical equipment by bypassing code audit controls.

Update: The ESP32 "backdoor" that wasn't.

(page 2) 50 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[-] mechoman444@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago

The Chinese adding back doors into their software/hardware.

Say it ain't so!

[-] NaibofTabr@infosec.pub 1 points 1 week ago

Say it ain't so
Your bug is a heartbleeder
Say it ain't so
My NIC is a bytetaker

[-] Dekkia@this.doesnotcut.it 1 points 1 week ago

It ain't so.

To use the "backdoor" an attacker needs to have full access to the esp32 powered device already.

It's like claiming that being able to leave your desk without locking your PC is a backdoor in your OS.

[-] ChaoticNeutralCzech@feddit.org 1 points 1 week ago

Yes, this is about undocumented instructions found in the silicon but they are not executable unless the ESP32's firmware uses them. Firmware cannot be edited to use them unless you have an existing vulnerability such as physical access or insecure OTA in existing firmware (as far as researchers know).

It is good to question the "backdoor" allegations - maybe the instructions' microcode was buggy and they didn't want to release it.

[-] turnip@sh.itjust.works 0 points 1 week ago

Like a PRISM for China, is every powerful country just backdooring each other?

[-] Fart@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago
[-] match@pawb.social -1 points 1 week ago

tech backdoors are only okay when us good guys require em

[-] A_Random_Idiot@lemmy.world 0 points 1 week ago

Where did anyone say anything remotely like that?

[-] ChairmanMeow@programming.dev 0 points 1 week ago

I think it's sarcasm mate.

[-] A_Random_Idiot@lemmy.world 0 points 1 week ago

I wouldnt be so sure about that. I've heard people say stuff that was mindbogglingly dumber than that, completely seriously.

[-] match@pawb.social 0 points 1 week ago
[-] A_Random_Idiot@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago

thats what /s is for.

[-] NightCrawlerProMax@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago

The other day someone posted in Canada community that Canada should stop using Tesla cars and import Chinese cars. I replied saying, “That’s like replacing one evil with another.” I was downvoted by a lot of people. I should’ve expected it cuz a lot of people have short term memory.

[-] Montreal_Metro@lemmy.ca 0 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

A lot of people are dumb. Or maybe because they feel offended because they are Chinese, but the reality is that every Chinese company is ultimately controlled by the CCP. If I was fighting a cold war, I would do the same. Sell compromised devices to my trade partners (AKA enemies) so I have leverage when I need it.

Or maybe because they feel offended because they are Chinese

I'm Chinese-American and I'm not offended. The tankies from .ml are

[-] digdilem@lemmy.ml -1 points 1 week ago

the reality is that every Chinese company is ultimately controlled by the CCP.

Yes.

But in the same way that every US company is ultimately controlled by the US Government. And every EU company by them. And every other country by their own government.

[-] Subdivide6857@midwest.social -1 points 1 week ago

“China bad” because western media says so. Please disregard the billions of dollars spent by western governments to ensure you keep thinking that way.

It’s just another capitalistic country no better or worse than Canada or the USA. Though, the Chinese government has said their intention is to move towards socialism, so good for them. I’m stuck over here witnessing fascist billionaires loot the government/working class.

[-] thann@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 1 week ago

Thats super interesting! Write a poem about three gorges dam please

[-] NoSpotOfGround@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago

Well, no, China is bad because freedom is very restricted there and because they have ambitions to dominate the world.

Yes, every other world power in the world is more or less the same. People cannot, in general, be trusted to be "good" when given the opportunity to abuse. A world power can be held in check by the presence and efforts of other world powers, though.

[-] pulsewidth@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

No, 'China bad' because many many examples of China bad. Such as the topic of this post.

The whole "you can't criticize China because you're from a country that also does bad things" is logically worthless. It's the appeal to hypocrisy fallacy.

Not sure if you realize this but China is also ruled by a kleptocratic billionaire class that loots the working class even moreso than the US, so i'm not sure why you look up to them - China has more billionaires and a much larger wealth divide than the US. Actions speak louder than words and while Xi and the CCP often talk about cracking down on thier ultra-wealthy, they don't really do much - couple billionaires might disappear occasionally though if they don't praise the party line publically. One thing is for sure - I don't see any elite CCP party members that are not also very wealthy. And it's everyone else that's propagandized 🤔

[-] ubergeek@lemmy.today 0 points 1 week ago

China is bad, because they too are a colonialism and imperialistic nation.

Just like the US and Russia.

[-] Subdivide6857@midwest.social -1 points 1 week ago

Living conditions there continue to improve, while ours decline. A whole lot of boogie man bullshit. This article is intentionally fear mongering.

The CCP isn’t putting in a back door requiring on-site access in your litter box.

load more comments (3 replies)
[-] Jhuskindle@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago

At this point I welcome them to come through.

load more comments (1 replies)
[-] mystik@lemmy.world 0 points 1 week ago

I have a bunch of ESP32's that ... I can update and replace the firmware on, if i reset it the right way with a usb cable. the web site doesn't explain it any way how this is any worse than that...?

[-] embed_me@programming.dev 0 points 1 week ago

The website is also the guy trying to sell the solution so I'm just sceptical for now

[-] CosmoNova@lemmy.world 0 points 1 week ago

Not the first time a backdoor was found on Chinese made hardware and it won‘t be the last time. Decoupling can‘t happen quickly enough.

[-] Thrawne@lemmy.world 0 points 1 week ago

Fukin dmnit! I just spent the last several months fine tuning a PCB design supporting this platform. I have , what i believe to be my last iteration, being sent to fab now. I have to look i to this. My solution isnt using bluetooth, so i dont know if im vulnerable.

load more comments (3 replies)
[-] fuamerikkka@lemm.ee 0 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

This turned racist / xenophobic real quickly.

There have been several other posts about this without mentioning China at all, especially in the post itself.

No where in the article does it say "chinese", literally anywhere.

Check your racism.

Edited to remove where I stated it was manufactured. I did a quick search and found a couple mentions, but did not thoroughly check sourced. Apologies.

[-] ManixT@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

I agree we shouldn't be racist against Chinese people, but you're ignorant. From wikipedia: ESP32 is created and developed by Espressif Systems, a Chinese company based in Shanghai, and is manufactured by TSMC using their 40 nm process.It is a successor to the ESP8266 microcontroller.

So it's designed/developed in China and manufactured in Taiwan; not China.

[-] fuamerikkka@lemm.ee -2 points 1 week ago

Dog whistling.

This has nothing to do with the chip or who makes it.

It's the way it's written.

You missed the point.

[-] TJDetweiler@lemmy.ca 0 points 1 week ago

Gold medal for your performance in mental gymnastics.

[-] fuamerikkka@lemm.ee -1 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Like how I clearly said the article had been posted before without mentioning China, especially in the article itsef, never mind in the post? Which obviously shows it was more about the title of the post?

I bow to YOUR mental gymnastics and ignorance combined with brute confidence.

Tell me you don't know anything about anti racism without telling me you don't know anything about anti racism.

Read a book.

You'll sound less stupid (maybe).

But you don't think buying a Tesla, Tesla stock, makes you a Nazi or a Nazi sympathizer so...

This is why we're in the state are in.

Poison thrown at the wrong people.

I'm not stealing your money, firing you, taking away your rights as a human being. I don't think you're a 'parasite'.

I'm not the 1%, neither are you.

Focus on the real enemy. Then things will get done.

[-] SynopsisTantilize@lemm.ee 0 points 1 week ago

No. Fuck the Chinese. All 17billion of them.

/s

17billion of them.

Xi had a clone army?

🤔

load more comments (5 replies)
[-] SoftestSapphic@lemmy.world 0 points 1 week ago

Hey look china got caught putting backdoors in hardware AGAIN

load more comments
view more: ‹ prev next ›
this post was submitted on 08 Mar 2025
98 points (85.5% liked)

Technology

66999 readers
4303 users here now

This is a most excellent place for technology news and articles.


Our Rules


  1. Follow the lemmy.world rules.
  2. Only tech related content.
  3. Be excellent to each other!
  4. Mod approved content bots can post up to 10 articles per day.
  5. Threads asking for personal tech support may be deleted.
  6. Politics threads may be removed.
  7. No memes allowed as posts, OK to post as comments.
  8. Only approved bots from the list below, this includes using AI responses and summaries. To ask if your bot can be added please contact a mod.
  9. Check for duplicates before posting, duplicates may be removed
  10. Accounts 7 days and younger will have their posts automatically removed.

Approved Bots


founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS