Ethical Hacking News
The Raspberry Pi team has released an update to their RP2350 microcontroller with bug fixes, hardening measures, and a GPIO tweak designed to delight retro computing enthusiasts. The new A4 stepping offers improved security features and increased voltage tolerance, making it more accessible for users in various domains.
The RP2350 microcontroller has undergone significant upgrades with the A4 stepping, introducing bug fixes, hardening measures, and changes to GPIO configuration. The removal of additional circuitry required for mitigating a documented issue with GPIO pull-ups renders it a "drop-in replacement" for those upgrading from the original A2 stepping. Improved AES decryption code has been hardened against side-channel attacks, bolstering security aspects of the microcontroller. A new hacking challenge has been launched to test the capabilities of the RP2350 and identify potential weaknesses. Self-decrypting binaries have been added, solidifying the RP2350's position as a platform for secure and efficient code. The GPIO configuration now supports 5 V-tolerant, simplifying the process of connecting five-volt TTL logic to the device.
The Raspberry Pi team has made significant strides in upgrading their RP2350 microcontroller, introducing a plethora of improvements that cater to both retro computing enthusiasts and security aficionados. The latest update, dubbed the A4 stepping, brings about several key enhancements, including bug fixes, hardening measures, and a notable tweak to the GPIO configuration.
The most noticeable change is the removal of additional circuitry required for mitigating the documented issue with GPIO pull-ups, which necessitated the use of specialized components in affected devices. This improvement renders the previously necessary circuitry obsolete, making it a "drop-in replacement" for those upgrading from the original A2 stepping. However, users employing older versions of the SDK may need to recompile their applications due to compatibility issues.
Beyond this, the Raspberry Pi team has bolstered the security aspects of their microcontroller with improved AES decryption code, now hardened against side-channel attacks. This upgrade is particularly noteworthy, as it underscores the company's commitment to securing their products and preventing potential vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malicious actors.
Furthermore, a new hacking challenge has been launched, inviting enthusiasts to probe the capabilities of the RP2350 microcontroller and identify any weaknesses or areas ripe for improvement. This initiative serves as an opportunity for security researchers to test the limits of the device, pushing its boundaries in a controlled environment and providing valuable insights into its design and functionality.
In addition to these advancements, the A4 stepping also introduces support for self-decrypting binaries, further solidifying the RP2350's position as a formidable platform for various applications. The inclusion of this feature is likely to appeal to developers seeking to create more secure and efficient code.
Lastly, the increased voltage tolerance of the GPIO configuration, now rated at 5 V-tolerant, offers significant implications for retro computing enthusiasts and those interested in interfacing the RP2350 with five-volt TTL logic. This change simplifies the process of connecting hardware from the five-volt ecosystem, making it more accessible to users looking to tap into this domain.
Overall, the Raspberry Pi RP2350 microcontroller update represents a substantial leap forward for both retro computing and security. The A4 stepping boasts a range of improvements that cater to diverse user needs, ensuring the device remains a compelling option for those seeking versatile and secure hardware solutions.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/The-Raspberry-Pi-RP2350-Microcontroller-Update-A-Step-Forward-for-Retro-Computing-and-Security-ehn.shtml
https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2025/07/29/raspberry_pi_rp2350_update/
Published: Tue Jul 29 10:25:17 2025 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
