[Defcon 16] Welcome to the DEFCON Badge Hacking Contest

[Grendel]

Re: Welcome to the DEFCON Badge Hacking Contest

So, based on that clue, I am guessing the chip has a game on it... Interested in getting my hands on it now to see what is going on inside.

[TheCotMan]

Re: Welcome to the DEFCON Badge Hacking Contest

1) Visit a library
2) Be friendly to a librarian
3) Explain what you are trying to decode
4) Ask if you can use their PS/2 or USB keyboard wedge barcode scanner.
5) Hook it up to your computer
6) Launch a text editor and make edit space the foreground field/selected
7) scan the barcode
8) save the content of your editor to disk for later review

Though there are many bar code standards, many libraries use keyboard wedge barcode readers that can read a huge number of different barcode formats. Keyboard wedges are exactly as their name implies -- they usually sit between your keyboard and the computer.
Attempts to scan a barcode result in the decoded data from the barcode getting passed to the computer as though a user typed it (really fast.)

Another option is shipping departments in medium to large organizations.

HTH (Hope this Helps)

[Voltage Spike]

Re: Welcome to the DEFCON Badge Hacking Contest

Any suggestions for barcode readers for the PC?

Generic, all-purpose barcode readers? I haven't found any free applications.

1-D barcode readers? I spent forever and a day attempting to decode the Toorcon badge and I still don't know what the code said (if anything). The problem here is that all the barcodes look similar but actually encode differently.

2-D barcode readers, as in this case? I assumed it was the freely available Datamatrix barcode by its shape/look and then used the simple (and open source) libdmtx.

I haven't seen zxing before, but I'll give it a try.

[Demo]

Re: Welcome to the DEFCON Badge Hacking Contest

Oh good, phew. ;)

Any suggestions for barcode readers for the PC? My crummy old phone doesn't seem to support any. I'm trying to compile google's zxing and running into some problems as well, and I don't even know if that app will do it for me anyway.

[Voltage Spike]

Re: Welcome to the DEFCON Badge Hacking Contest

By mysterious message, do you mean the barcode or something else?

I meant the barcode. Unless I'm missing another, even deeper message obscured by the first hidden message...

[Demo]

Re: Welcome to the DEFCON Badge Hacking Contest

By mysterious message, do you mean the barcode or something else?

[brianw21]

Re: Welcome to the DEFCON Badge Hacking Contest

OO0

You'll know if you figured it out. Thanks for that little treat, it got me in the mood for Defcon.

-b

[[Syntax]]

Re: Welcome to the DEFCON Badge Hacking Contest

Ok this is just a guess from looking at the badge, components and design.
I have nothing to back this up. You load files onto the sd card using a laptop ect,
adding a usb port would allow using the badge as a card reader without needing
one on your laptop. The badge can then beam files to other peoples badges,
maybe the card will have a incoming and outgoing folder. Modes on the badge
could be, "require confirmation before accepting files" so that you have to stand
in front of someone and press a button. Or maybe "accept all incoming connections"
where the badge tries to negotiate with anyone in proximity and exchange files/photos
ect.. Led's on the front could indicate sending and receiving of files, or possibly IR
connection strength. Something similar to the beam business card function on a PDA.

[Demo]

Re: Welcome to the DEFCON Badge Hacking Contest

Whoops, my bad! I read in one of the original posts in this thread that it would be included and just assumed it would be on already, sorry.

[Voltage Spike]

Re: Welcome to the DEFCON Badge Hacking Contest

I'm pretty sure the USB connector comes soldered on already.

I was basing that on the article:

Keep in mind that the badge in the photo is a prototype, the actual badges will be a different color, won't have the USB and debug ports soldered on nor include an SD card (so bring one, seriously).

[Demo]

Re: Welcome to the DEFCON Badge Hacking Contest

Oh, and I'm really hoping the SD card is there so that we can easily load our own software onto the badge (without soldering on the USB connector).

I'm pretty sure the USB connector comes soldered on already.

[Voltage Spike]

Re: Welcome to the DEFCON Badge Hacking Contest

This is why I hate, and love, Defcon. Everything is a puzzle. The mysterious message in the article, when decoded, appears to give a valid message but the results aren't too useful (I don't want to give away too many details). I'm wondering if it is a part of a contest that hasn't gone live yet...

Interesting. Definitely seems to be a simpler circuit this year. This is listed as a prototype, 'eh? Any bets on whether the circuit has changed?

Assuming the circuit hasn't changed, I'm wracking my brains trying to figure out what the different modes might be. So far, my prep work doesn't look like it will work out because the output appears so limited, but then why include the infrared components?

Oh, and I'm really hoping the SD card is there so that we can easily load our own software onto the badge (without soldering on the USB connector). The on-chip flash is in-application programmable. Any bets on whether the SD card will be writable?

[SmittyHalibut]

Re: Welcome to the DEFCON Badge Hacking Contest

Interesting. Definitely seems to be a simpler circuit this year. This is listed as a prototype, 'eh? Any bets on whether the circuit has changed?

[Voltage Spike]

Re: Welcome to the DEFCON Badge Hacking Contest

Spoiler alert!!!

For this wishing to get a pretty in-depth peek at the badge:

http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/200...ive-defco.html

And, yes, it includes the battery type.

[afterburn188]

Re: Welcome to the DEFCON Badge Hacking Contest

That or places sell adjustable wall worts for universal adapters. I know radio shack has one that does a nice decent range one for like $20.

Or bring regulators like suggested. If you really want to "hack your own"...bring some diodes and reverse bias a few ;)

Why don't you just bring a few, and/or appropriate Vregs? I mean there can't be *that* many options, right?

Bring a 7805, 7803, etc... and hack your own (true hacker spirit!)

LosT