Emulation, PowerPC, and Transition

Presented at BSidesLV 2023, Aug. 8, 2023, 3 p.m. (45 minutes)

One part self discovery, one part technological innovation, this talk follows one hacker's journey to create a new framework for baremetal emulation while simultaneously realizing and learning to accept fundamental truths about the very core of who she is. The talk will delve into the details of what an emulator is and why both DARPA and industry giants needed one so badly for the PowerPC architecture. There will be educational background provided into how emulation works and how it can be used to enhance efforts at reverse engineering and security. There will be a discussion of both the technical and logistical development of the framework and how it can be used to test or reverse engineer industrial systems. This will also includes the technical nuances and challenges of working with PowerPC while making it accessible and user-friendly. The tool will be demonstrated by emulating an engine controller that is actively transmitting messages. Interspersed throughout the discussion of the projects technical timeline will be photos, stories and anecdotes from both Erin's transition towards womanhood, as well as insights into the lives and humanity of her and her team.

Presenters:

  • Erin Cornelius
    Erin (aka ac0rn) is a Senior Staff Security Researcher at GRIMM who spends her days figuring out how things work, bending systems to her will, mentoring junior researchers, and being smoking hot. In her past life she did development, design, integration, and testing of safety critical systems in telcom, aerospace, medical, and industrial applications. At GRIMM she has used her knowledge of how systems are designed to find bugs, make tools, and help teach others how to do the same. If you haven't met Erin yet she's trans and proud of it.

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