<!-- Copyright (c) 2026 defconxt. All rights reserved. -->
<!-- Licensed under AGPL-3.0 — see LICENSE file for details. -->
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---
name: analyzing-bootloader-security
description: >-
  Analyze bootloader implementations for security vulnerabilities including secure boot bypass and firmware tampering.
domain: cybersecurity
subdomain: reverse-engineering
tags:
  - bootloader
  - secure-boot
  - firmware-tampering
  - uefi
  - trusted-boot
version: "1.0"
author: defconxt
license: AGPL-3.0
metadata:
  mitre-attack: ["T1542"]
  cwe: ["CWE-693"]
  tools: ["uefi-tool", "chipsec", "ghidra", "binwalk"]
---

# Analyzing Bootloader Security

## Overview

Analyze bootloader implementations for security vulnerabilities including secure boot bypass and firmware tampering.

## Prerequisites

| Tool / Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| `uefi-tool` | Security tooling |
| `chipsec` | Security tooling |
| `ghidra` | Security tooling |
| `binwalk` | Security tooling |
| Isolated lab environment for testing | Environment requirement |
| Authorization and signed Rules of Engagement (RoE) | Environment requirement |
| Relevant target samples or systems acquired through authorized channels | Environment requirement |

## Quick Reference

```bash
# Initialize working environment
mkdir -p /tmp/analyzing-bootloader-security/{output,logs,artifacts}

# Execute primary analysis with uefi-tool
echo "[*] Running Analyzing Bootloader Security with uefi-tool..."

# Validate results with chipsec
echo "[*] Cross-validating with chipsec..."

# Generate summary report
cat /tmp/analyzing-bootloader-security/output/report.json
```

## Workflow

### Step 1: Preparation and Reconnaissance

```bash
# Identify target and gather initial intelligence
file ./target_sample
uefi-tool --version 2>/dev/null || echo "Install uefi-tool"

# Set up working directory
mkdir -p /tmp/analyzing-bootloader-security/{output,logs,artifacts}
```

### Step 2: Primary Analysis

```bash
# Execute primary analysis with uefi-tool
# Refer to Quick Reference above for detailed commands
echo "[*] Running Analyzing Bootloader Security with uefi-tool..."

# Log all operations
script -q /tmp/analyzing-bootloader-security/logs/session.log
```

### Step 3: Deep Investigation

```bash
# Apply chipsec for secondary analysis
echo "[*] Deep investigation with chipsec..."

# Cross-reference findings
diff /tmp/analyzing-bootloader-security/output/primary.json /tmp/analyzing-bootloader-security/output/secondary.json
```

### Step 4: Documentation and Reporting

```bash
# Generate structured findings report
cat <<'EOF' > /tmp/analyzing-bootloader-security/output/report.json
{
  "technique": "analyzing-bootloader-security",
  "domain": "reverse-engineering",
  "tools_used": ["uefi-tool", "chipsec"],
  "findings": [],
  "recommendations": []
}
EOF
```

## Detection

```yaml
title: Bootloader Security Detection
id: ab0d1be6-1e38-4687-8f70-2653d55f3823
status: experimental
description: Detects suspicious activity related to analyzing bootloader security techniques in reverse engineering context
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: windows
detection:
  selection:
    CommandLine: "*analyzing*bootloader*"
  condition: selection
level: medium
tags:
  - attack.t1542
  - attack.defense_evasion
falsepositives:
  - Malware analysis sandbox performing automated binary inspection
```


**Detection Opportunities**

| Indicator | Source | Detection Logic |
|---|---|---|
| Bootloader Security Detection | windows/process_creation | Sigma rule (medium) |
| ATT&CK Coverage | MITRE ATT&CK | T1542 |

## Verification

- [ ] Environment and tools verified and operational
- [ ] Target samples acquired through authorized channels
- [ ] Primary analysis completed with findings documented
- [ ] Secondary validation performed with independent tooling
- [ ] All artifacts preserved in structured output directory
- [ ] Detection opportunities documented for blue team

## References

- [MITRE ATT&CK T1542](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1542) — Related technique
- [uefi-tool Documentation](https://uefi-tool.org/) — Primary tooling
- [chipsec Reference](https://chipsec.org/) — Secondary tooling
