System Architecture

Your team’s design will consist of a Host Computer and a Medical Device (MISC) comprised of an Application Processor, and two Components. The MISC software you design will protect the Medical Device from supply chain attacks. The image below shows a high-level overview of the system architecture.

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Host Computer

The Host Computer is a general-purpose computer (i.e., your laptop or desktop) used to communicate with the Medical Device (MISC) over a serial interface through a number of Host Tools. These tools will be used to initiate the various functionals of the medical device (see Functional Requirements) and to read back status messages and data. To simplify the sytem, all Host Tools will be written by the organizers. In addition, Nix will be used to create reproducible build environments across platforms.

Medical Device (MISC)

The main focus of your team’s work is on the Medical Device or MISC. A Medical Device is comprised of an Application Processor (AP) and two Components connected by a shared I2C bus. Each will be implemented as an Analog Device MAX78000FTHR development board connected by the custom PCB. MISC will be used to protect multiple types of medical devices (e.g., infusion pumps), so your design shouldn’t care about what the final device will be used for.

Application Processor

The Application Processor (AP) is the “brains” of the medical device. It handles all of the communications with the Host Computer, orchestrates the MISC funtionality that you must implement (see Functional Requirements), and conducts all of the processing necessary to operate the device during its normal operation after boot that other teams at your company will implement. As part of the MISC protocol, the AP is responsible for ensuring the integrity of the device (see Security Requirements).

Components

The Components represent the many additional chips that may be found on a medical device including sensors that take measurements and actuators that interact with the patient. The components rely on the AP to ensure the integrity of the device.

Development Resources

Teams will be provided the following resources:

  • 3 un-keyed MAX78000FTHR boards (see Design Board)

    • These boards will be used for the development of your design. Instructions will be provided to run the host tools on a local computer to test the entire system using the physical hardware. These devices will not be able to run Attack Phase designs provisioned by the eCTF organizers. However, the development microcontrollers can be used to practice attacks against designs in the Attack Phase that are compiled locally by the team from source.

  • 3 keyed MAX78000FTHR boards (see Attack Board)

    • These boards will be used for the Attack Phase to securely load other teams’ designs that will be provided by the eCTF organizers. These devices are configured for use in the Attack Phase and therefore will be unusable during the Design Phase. These boards will be distributed to teams as Handoff nears.

  • eCTF Breakout Board

    • Breakout board that connects the I2C bus between the MAX780000 boards.

  • USB Hub

    • The USB Hub is used for connecting all 3 MAX78000FTHR boards to your host computer.