Hacking the Cable Modem: What Cable Companies Don't Want You to Know [Paperback]

DerEngel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 10, 2006 | ISBN-10: 1593271018 | ISBN-13: 978-1593271015 | Edition: 1

In the beginning there was dial-up, and it was slow; then came broadband in the form of cable, which redefined how we access the internet, share information, and communicate with each other online. Hacking the Cable Modem goes inside the device that makes Internet via cable possible and, along the way, reveals secrets of many popular cable modems, including products from Motorola, RCA, WebSTAR, D-Link and more.

Inside Hacking The Cable Modem, you'll learn:

the history of cable modem hacking how a cable modem works the importance of firmware (including multiple ways to install new firmware) how to unblock network ports and unlock hidden features how to hack and modify your cable modem what uncapping is and how it makes cable modems upload and download faster

Written for people at all skill levels, the book features step-by-step tutorials with easy to follow diagrams, source code examples, hardware schematics, links to software (exclusive to this book!), and previously unreleased cable modem hacks.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

What people are saying about Hacking the Cable Modem

"No Starch Press is a publisher with a penchant for finding geeky niches that other publishers won't touch, and DerEngel's Hacking the Cable Modem is a fine case in point." --Linux Journal, October 2006

In the beginning there was dial-up, and it was slow; then ame broadband in the form of cable, which redefined how we access the internet, share information, and communicate with each other online. Hacking the Cable Modem goes inside the device that makes Internet via cable possible and, along the way, reveals secrets of many popular cable modems, including products from Motorola, RCA, WebSTAR, D-Link and more.

Inside Hacking The Cable Modem, you'll learn:
* the history of cable modem hacking
* how a cable modem works
* the importance of firmware (including multiple ways to install new firmware)
* how to unblock network ports and unlock hidden features
* how to hack and modify your cable modem
* what uncapping is and how it makes cable modems upload and download faster

Written for people at all skill levels, the book features step-by-step tutorials with easy to follow diagrams, source code examples, hardware schematics, links to software (exclusive to this book!), and previously unreleased cable modem hacks.

About the Author

Profiled by Security Focus, TechTV, and the Register, DerEngel has been hailed as "the underground Prometheus of super-broadband." He has written several programs to simplify and streamline the uncapping process since he started hacking into cable modems five years ago. He currently heads TCNiSO, a group of hackers who have revolutionized reverse engineering techniques and produce free hackware.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: No Starch Press; 1 edition (September 10, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1593271018
• ISBN-13: 978-1593271015
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 0.8 x 9.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #116,082 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #25 in Books > Computers & Technology > Hardware > Peripherals
  • #73 in Books > Computers & Technology > Internet & Web Culture > Hacking
  • #88 in Books > Computers & Technology > Networking > Networks, Protocols & APIs > Networks

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 35 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, informative, and more than just schematic after schematic October 5, 2006

By brian d foy VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

I expected this book to be much more technical than it was. Rather than a collection of schematics and wiring diagrams, DerEngel combines many personal stories with the results of his work. It's quite an interesting read, although I don't know if the book will make hardware hackers out of anyone. Some people may be able to hack their modems with the ready-to-use tools the author discusses, but most people probably aren't going to want to potentially destroy their modems by cracking open the case and messing with the circuit board components. Most of the discussion takes it for granted that the reader is already be familiar with basic electrical engineering and Radio Shack. The tools he uses are Windows programs, so unix users may need to find similar tools to follow along with the hacks.

I wish the book had talked more about the cable companies motivations for various limitations. At one point, DerEngel does admit that some limitations protect the equipment and service for everyone's use, but overall I think he ignores that without commenting on the rather selfish notion that anyone should be able to get better internet service than others on their block. What would happen if everyone uncapped their modems and started uploading lots of data?

Despite my complete disinterest in hacking my modem, I found the book an interesting read and informative.

19 of 25 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Smart reverse engineering methods to enhance ANY embedded device !! September 29, 2006

By Nils Valentin

Format:Paperback

.
--- DISCLAIMER: This is a requested review by No Starch Press, however any opinions expressed within the review are my personal ones. ---

[Review: long - 5-10 minutes]

The book basically covers reverse engineering methods spiced with the authors smart and original ideas - and the rich
experience in a niche marcet of his speciality - namely cable modems.

The same technics described might be used for reverse engineering other embedded devices or software issues
(f.e. mobile phones, Bluetooth devices etc. )

The book has a unique combination of a certain "geek" factor combined with high grade engineering skills.
The geeky part of the book is showing many original and cool hacks that enable even non technical users to use them.
The engineering part of the book is deploying several reverse engineering technics which can also be applied to other
devices and technologies.

To make the most usage of the book you would ideally have some knowledge of the following:

- general electrical engineering skills
- programming / debugging skills
- a good understanding of firmware related issues
- some basic Assembler knowledge

Obviously the readers mileage may vary, depending on the readers skillset and amount of time invested.
You shouldnt expect to become a hacker over night, however this could be your entry ticket to see, touch and "feel"
the many facets of reverse engineering.

What is it about the book that makes it stand out ?
(This books features)

- The book itself is a nice wholesighted introduction in reverse engineering
- Each chapter is like an overview style tutorial on how to deploy your hardware/software
- Instructions / methods learned are transferable to other embedded devices
- Description of many original (unique) approaches including for

- How to change/tweak/ennhance firmware (general)
- How to create and use a Blackcat cable to programm your new firmware
- How to create a console cable
- Firmware versions and their features and memory addresses
- Firmware backdoors
- Hidden functions and Menus and how to activate them
- How to use a cable modems bootloader

- Extracting symbol tables for debugging
- Cross compiling
- Buffer overflows,
- ARP poisening
- SNMP in General
- List of most useful MIBs
- Evaluations of modem hardware in regard to their enhancebility ;-)
- Securing your network and modems
- WEB GUI's

and finally

- 5 pages of firmware commands and their descriptions !!

This book might be interesting for:
(Target readers)

- Geeks
- Geeks friends (to get his/her attention ;-)
- IT newcomers
- IT managers
- IT Security specialists / penetrations testers
- Developers
- Network admins
- Cable providers
- ISP
- Companies selling and/or maintaining embedded devices

Summary:

The book is written in a very motivating - as good as it gets - style so that once you start reading, chances are that you
dont put it down before you read it cover to cover. The many insider information was until now - if at all - only
available in small, well organized social groups or perhaps you had a chance to listen to a special session on conferences
like Blackhat, What-the-hack, CCC, Underground IT, Shmoo etc. If you are still wondering what separates good IT
engineers from the best than get this book - It really is THAT good!!

This is the best IT related book I read within 2006 !!

14 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book on cable modem details December 10, 2006

By calvinnme HALL OF FAMETOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

Usually the modems used for high speed connections to the internet will remain the black boxes sitting on the shelf between your cable and PC or home network. Those wanting to do or know more should take a look at this book. This is a "how" as well as a "how to" book. However, for the most part, his hacks are beyond the capabilities of the average cable modem subscriber. It examines the technology employed by the cable industry as well as details for specific products. The list of cable modems presented is extensive but, because this is a static book, obviously not exhaustive as this is a list in constant flux. Still, the collection is impressive, as is the detail allotted to each.

Cable modems sometimes provide a web server interface for configuration purposes. This book looks under the hood even if there is no user-configurable interface. It presents the procedures for doing this as well as tweaks and tricks that can be used to change a modem's configuration and capabilities. The book is concise and detailed. There are sections on the physical components and how to get at them without destroying the case or the components. There is probably the most lucid and short description I have read of how buffer overflows work, and there are explicit instructions on how to change speed settings and port controls. Your mileage will vary and it is possible to turn your modem into something that has the equivalent usefulness of a brick. Still, it makes the job much easier if you plan on trying to "adjust" your modem.

The book is also useful as a practical example of reverse engineering. Few books attempt to do this. This book does so by example and a rather practical one at that. Developers needing to interface to other black boxes in their design may be able to take some of the tips and tricks and apply them in other circumstances.

The author explicitly states that he does not condone stealing bandwidth from cable providers. He argues that system administrators need to know how to configure cable modems to effectively manage their Internet connectivity. However, possibly the most valuable contribution the author has made to the world of security is to create a manual that the cable operators and cable modem manufacturers can use to harden their devices against malicious attacks. For people interested in either application, this is a worthwhile book. The following is the table of contents:

Chapter 1: A History of Cable Modem Hacking

Chapter 2: The Cable Modem Showcase

Chapter 3: A Faster Internet

Chapter 4: The DOCSIS Standard

Chapter 5: What's Inside?

Chapter 6: Firmware

Chapter 7: Our Limitations

Chapter 8: Reverse Engineering

Chapter 9: Cable Modem Security

Chapter 10: Buffer Overflows

Chapter 11: SIGMA Firmware

Chapter 12: Hacking Frequencies

Chapter 13: Useful Software

Chapter 14: Gathering Information

Chapter 15: The Blackcat Programmer

Chapter 16: Traditional Uncapping

Chapter 17: Building a Console Cable

Chapter 18: Changing Firmware

Chapter 19: Hacking the RCA

Chapter 20: Hacking the WebSTAR

Chapter 21: The SURFboard Factory Mode

Chapter 22: Hacking the D-Link Modem

Chapter 23: Securing the Future

Appendix A: Frequently Asked Questions

Appendix B: Disassembling

Appendix C: Cross-Compiling

Appendix D: Acronyms