TI CC2538 Wireless MCU Debug Lock Unlock: MCU Decryption
2026-09-26 18:00:00 | pcba-mkr
TI CC2538 wireless MCU uses debug lock. CC2538 decryption unlocks it to recover firmware.
CC2538 Protection:
- CCA debug access can be locked.
- Flash controller blocks readback.
- IEEE 802.15.4 radio firmware is protected.
- Key and CCM secrets are hidden.
CC2538 Decryption Methods:
1. Voltage Glitching: glitch VDD during lock check.
2. Clock Glitching: fault debug controller.
3. Decapsulation: read silicon die directly.
4. Side-Channel: power analysis during access.
CC2538 is used in Zigbee, Thread, and BLE IoT end devices.
