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Security48k · #3010

firmware-analyst

Lets your agent analyze firmware for embedded systems and IoT devices. It specializes in hardware security and reverse engineering.

What it does

This tool helps analyze firmware files from electronic devices. It can extract the contents of these files, search for important information like passwords, and analyze the code to find potential security flaws.

When to use it

  • ✓When you need to extract files from firmware.
  • ✓When searching for passwords or secrets within firmware.
  • ✓To identify vulnerabilities in firmware.

Example of what to ask your AI

“Analyze this firmware file and tell me if there are any passwords or sensitive information in it.”

Want more? Open the sections below.

How to use

The easiest way: copy the message below and paste it into Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor or any AI. It reads the skill and follows the instructions.

Skill link

https://github.com/sickn33/agentic-awesome-skills/blob/main/plugins/agentic-awesome-skills-claude/skills/firmware-analyst/SKILL.md

Ready-to-paste message

Use this skill to help me: https://github.com/sickn33/agentic-awesome-skills/blob/main/plugins/agentic-awesome-skills-claude/skills/firmware-analyst/SKILL.md Read the SKILL.md file at that link and follow its instructions for my task.
How it works

The tool uses programs like 'binwalk' to open the firmware file and extract everything inside. Then, it searches for text patterns that look like passwords or keys.

Installation

Easiest way: copy the skill link and paste it into Claude, ChatGPT or Cursor asking it to follow the instructions.

In the terminal (Claude Code, Codex, Cursor), in your project folder:

npx skills add sickn33/agentic-awesome-skills --skill firmware-analyst

Or download just the file:

curl -L https://raw.githubusercontent.com/sickn33/agentic-awesome-skills/main/plugins/agentic-awesome-skills-claude/skills/firmware-analyst/SKILL.md -o SKILL.md
Technical content (original SKILL.md)

Original text by the author, straight from GitHub.

Supporting material availability

This catalog copy contains the inline guidance below, but does not include the following supporting paths. They are external prerequisites, not bundled files:

  • ./scripts/getArch.sh
  • ./scripts/makeImage.sh
  • ./scripts/inferNetwork.sh

Ask for the original supporting material or an existing installation before using a step that depends on these paths; this catalog does not identify a verified download source for them. Resolve each path relative to that installation, inspect its contents, and verify any applicable license and execution prerequisites. Do not run a command or claim a referenced procedure was followed until its required file exists. Do not fabricate the missing scripts or treat an unrelated file with the same name as equivalent. Independent steps fully documented here can proceed within the user’s authorized scope; report any dependent step as unavailable.

⚠️ AUTHORIZED USE ONLY This skill is for educational purposes or authorized security assessments only. You must have explicit, written permission from the system owner before using this tool. Misuse of this tool is illegal and strictly prohibited.

Mandatory confirmation gate Before running any command that probes, exploits, changes, persists on, extracts data from, or attempts credential access against a target:

  1. Ask the user to state the exact target URL, IP, account, or resource.
  2. Ask the user to confirm written authorization and the permitted scope.
  3. Show the exact command(s) and explain their expected effect.
  4. Wait for explicit confirmation in the current conversation.

Without that confirmation, remain read-only and provide defensive guidance only. Prefer a sandbox, disposable VM, or controlled lab.

Download from vendor

wget http://vendor.com/firmware/update.bin

Extract from device via debug interface

UART console access

screen /dev/ttyUSB0 115200

Copy firmware partition

dd if=/dev/mtd0 of=/tmp/firmware.bin

Extract via network protocols

TFTP during boot

HTTP/FTP from device web interface


### Hardware Methods

UART access - Serial console connection JTAG/SWD - Debug interface for memory access SPI flash dump - Direct chip reading NAND/NOR dump - Flash memory extraction Chip-off - Physical chip removal and reading Logic analyzer - Protocol capture and analysis


## Use this skill when

- Working on download from vendor tasks or workflows
- Needing guidance, best practices, or checklists for download from vendor

## Do not use this skill when

- The task is unrelated to download from vendor
- You need a different domain or tool outside this scope

## Instructions

- Clarify goals, constraints, and required inputs.
- Apply relevant best practices and validate outcomes.
- Provide actionable steps and verification.

## Firmware Analysis Workflow

### Phase 1: Identification
```bash
# Basic file identification
file firmware.bin
binwalk firmware.bin

# Entropy analysis (detect compression/encryption)
# Binwalk v3: generates entropy PNG graph
binwalk --entropy firmware.bin
binwalk -E firmware.bin  # Short form

# Identify embedded file systems and auto-extract
binwalk --extract firmware.bin
binwalk -e firmware.bin  # Short form

# String analysis
strings -a firmware.bin | grep -i "password\|key\|secret"

Phase 2: Extraction

# Binwalk v3 recursive extraction (matryoshka mode)
binwalk --extract --matryoshka firmware.bin
binwalk -eM firmware.bin  # Short form

# Extract to custom directory
binwalk -e -C ./extracted firmware.bin

# Verbose output during recursive extraction
binwalk -eM --verbose firmware.bin

# Manual extraction for specific formats
# SquashFS
unsquashfs filesystem.squashfs

# JFFS2
jefferson filesystem.jffs2 -d output/

# UBIFS
ubireader_extract_images firmware.ubi

# YAFFS
unyaffs filesystem.yaffs

# Cramfs
cramfsck -x output/ filesystem.cramfs

Phase 3: File System Analysis

# Explore extracted filesystem
find . -name "*.conf" -o -name "*.cfg"
find . -name "passwd" -o -name "shadow"
find . -type f -executable

# Find hardcoded credentials
grep -r "password" .
grep -r "api_key" .
grep -rn "BEGIN RSA PRIVATE KEY" .

# Analyze web interface
find . -name "*.cgi" -o -name "*.php" -o -name "*.lua"

# Check for vulnerable binaries
checksec --dir=./bin/

Phase 4: Binary Analysis

# Identify architecture
file bin/httpd
readelf -h bin/httpd


…
FAQ

What is firmware?

Firmware is a type of software that is 'built into' an electronic device, like routers or cameras, and controls its basic functions.

Why analyze firmware?

Analyzing firmware helps understand how a device works, find security flaws that hackers could exploit, and ensure the device is secure.

Do I need permission to use this tool?

Yes, this tool is for educational purposes or authorized security assessments only. You need explicit permission from the system owner before using it.

Details

Original description by the author

Expert firmware analyst specializing in embedded systems, IoT security, and hardware reverse engineering.

repo: sickn33/agentic-awesome-skills

Popularity

GitHub stars
48k
Ranking position
#3010
License
MIT
Updated
10/15/2026

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