topic Re: How to use elftosb to generate image with plain CRC on bootup enabled? in i.MX RT Crossover MCUs

How to use elftosb to generate image with plain CRC on bootup enabled?

pcpro1789 — Mon, 09 Dec 2024 20:12:45 GMT

The title says it all. How can elftousb be used to generate an image with the plain CRC check enabled? We're using load to RAM, not run in place.

Re: How to use elftosb to generate image with plain CRC on bootup enabled?

diego_charles — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 21:12:36 GMT

Hi @pcpro1789

Please note that the elftosb tool was replaced by the nxpimage tool. The nxpimage is part of the NXP secure Provisioning SDK, or SPSDK.

From SPSDK documentation https://spsdk.readthedocs.io/en/latest/apps/nxpimage.html#nxpimage

The MCUXpresso Secure Provisioning Tool GUI does call the SPSDK APIS and tools to create bootable images.

To create with ease this kind of image using elftosb, you can use older versions of the MCUXpresso Secure Provisioning Tool, for example version 7.0. You can see in the log, calls to the elftosb GUI

However, it is always better if you use latest versions. For example MCUXPresso Secure Provisioning Tool v10, which does use nxpimage instead.

I hope this could help you.

Diego

Re: How to use elftosb to generate image with plain CRC on bootup enabled?

pcpro1789 — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 15:11:05 GMT

@diego_charles Thanks for the response. All I need is to be able to generate the plain CRC value for a load to RAM application on the MIMXRT685SFAWB, but I've been unable to find straightforward documentation that describes how to do this. It all seems to be focused on using the more secure options. Where may I find step-by-step instructions for generating the plain CRC value for a load to RAM application on the MIMXRT685SFAWB?

Re: How to use elftosb to generate image with plain CRC on bootup enabled?

diego_charles — Fri, 27 Dec 2024 17:47:26 GMT

Hi @pcpro1789

My apologies for the delayed response.

I want to understand better your goal, could you help me?

The RT600 supports booting plain images with CRC

Those images can be non-XIP or XIP

Do you need booting this kind of images with CRC or only the computed CRC value?

Happy holidays,

Diego

Re: How to use elftosb to generate image with plain CRC on bootup enabled?

pcpro1789 — Fri, 27 Dec 2024 19:10:36 GMT

Thanks, @diego_charles. To my knowledge, I need help calculating the CRC value that needs to be populated at offset 0x28, as well as ensuring that CRC validation is actually happening. The image length is populated at offset 0x20, and the value 0x2 (plain image with CRC - load to RAM) is populated at offset 0x24.

I've been working from the assumption that the internally calculated CRC at bootup uses the built-in CRC Engine module. From that, I've developed an algorithm to calculate the CRC based on the flowchart in the attached PDF.

Unfortunately, it does not appear that CRC validation is being performed at bootup. That is, even if I deliberately invalidate the CRC, the firmware application still runs. My expectation was that the device would get stuck in the bootloader.

Re: How to use elftosb to generate image with plain CRC on bootup enabled?

diego_charles — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 23:32:16 GMT

Hi @pcpro1789

Thank you for your patience and additional details!

How are you invalidating the CRC? Are you modiying this parameter in the image binary and then programming the image?

Btw, I am sorry, I can not see the the attached PDF, is this a document from us? Would you please let me know where to find the document or attach it again?

Diego

Re: How to use elftosb to generate image with plain CRC on bootup enabled?

pcpro1789 — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 14:21:14 GMT

@diego_charles I am trying to calculate the CRC to insert into a production binary image at offset 0x28. The flowchart mentioned in my earlier response is attached here.

Re: How to use elftosb to generate image with plain CRC on bootup enabled?

diego_charles — Fri, 24 Jan 2025 00:47:13 GMT

Hi @pcpro1789

Thank you for your reply and patience.

I just want to maintain you updated, and apologize for the delayed response. With regards to this: To my knowledge, I need help calculating the CRC value that needs to be populated at offset 0x28, as well as ensuring that CRC validation is actually happening. I am testing on my end using the MCUXpresso Secure Provisioning Tool.

Diego

Re: How to use elftosb to generate image with plain CRC on bootup enabled?

diego_charles — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 23:59:42 GMT

Hi @pcpro1789

I send you an email on your ticket 00654062 Implementing CRC32 Image Check in Bootloader, please check your email inbox and let me know, any comments

Diego