Breaking Secure Boot on Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) to run Ubuntu

Posted on Wed 15 June 2022 in Article • Tagged with arm, amlogic, bootloader, exploit, nest, secureboot, uboot, ubuntu, usb

In this post, we attack the Nest Hub (2nd Gen), an always-connected smart home display from Google, in order to boot a custom OS.

First, we explore both hardware and software attack surface in search of security vulnerabilities that could permit arbitrary code execution on the device.

Then, using a …


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Booting Ubuntu on Google Chromecast With Google TV

Posted on Mon 29 November 2021 in Article • Tagged with arm, amlogic, bootloader, bootrom, chromecast, uboot, ubuntu, usb

In a previous post, we detailed a vulnerability in the Amlogic System-On-Chip bootROM that allows arbitrary code execution at EL3. Since the Chromecast with Google TV (CCwGTV) is one of the devices affected by this issue, it opens the possibility to run a custom OS like Ubuntu.

This post describes …


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