topic Re: Is it able to read NVPWD register with application code only in user mode? in MPC5xxx

Is it able to read NVPWD register with application code only in user mode?

Feiyang_Sun — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 02:48:15 GMT

Right now I'm using MPC56xx(SPC560P40) for a project that requires a password on OCDs which in my case is the JTAG interface. Also it requires the password "NOT READABLE OR WRITEABLE" with user codes.

Except hash the password(which I don't think make any difference since the hash operation can't be occurred after JTAG connection but before password inquire), how can I make sure that user code can't read or change the password?

Re: Is it able to read NVPWD register with application code only in user mode?

petervlna — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 08:09:25 GMT

Hello,

I am not sure if I understood you correctly, but I will try to answer:

Except hash the password(which I don't think make any difference since the hash operation can't be occurred after JTAG connection but before password inquire), how can I make sure that user code can't read or change the password?

First of all SPC560P40 is device produced by STMicro and not NXP.

Second, this very old device apply only 1 protection to user code and that is censorship.

You can protect memory to be read out by setting JTAG/serial access password.

But if the application which is already in device has backdoors, it can remove/disable the censorship protection.

Have in mind that this is 20 years old design, where no security was required by customers...

In new devices, there is complex security scheme applied.

Best regards,

Peter

Re: Is it able to read NVPWD register with application code only in user mode?

Feiyang_Sun — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 09:38:55 GMT

Thanks for your reply Peter.

I get what you said.

So even if I brick the ECU, which is, I'm thinking of write NVSCI0 != NVSCI1, as long as I implement the software that leaves reflash function through serial interface like LIN interface, I can still reflash that code and rewrite NVSCI0 = NVSCI1 to enable JTAG interface, is that correct?

Re: Is it able to read NVPWD register with application code only in user mode?

petervlna — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 11:18:09 GMT

Hello,

Yes, that is the case. But if you leave serial communication unprotected, what benefit will bring you locked locked JTAG?

best regards,

Peter

Re: Is it able to read NVPWD register with application code only in user mode?

Feiyang_Sun — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 01:38:27 GMT

Yeah I guess that's something we need to discuss with our customers...

Anyway, thank you for your support.