BKHKCBMD.RVW 20061110 "Hacking the Cable Modem", DerEngel, 2006, 1-59327-101-8, U$29.95/C$37.95 %A DerEngel (Ryan Harris) www.tcniso.net/Nav/NoStarch %C 555 De Haro Street, Suite 250, San Francisco, CA 94107 %D 2006 %G 1-59327-101-8 %I No Starch Press %O U$29.95/C$37.95 415-863-9900 fax 415-863-9950 info@nostarch.com %O http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1593271018/robsladesinterne http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1593271018/robsladesinte-21 %O http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASIN/1593271018/robsladesin03-20 %O Audience s- Tech 2 Writing 1 (see revfaq.htm for explanation) %P 290 p. %T "Hacking the Cable Modem" Chapter one outlines the author's experiments with early cable modems, and something of the development of the current cable modem standard (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification/Systems Industrial Standards, or DOCSIS). General cable modem features, and a lineup of common models, are in chapter two. Chapter three reviews and compares the two major high speed Internet services, cable modem and digital subscriber line (DSL). The DOCSIS standard, in chapter four, describes the details of the actual data transfer and communication. Hardware components inside the cable modem unit are illustrated in chapter five. Chapter six provides some addresses in order to start exploration of the SURFboard cable modems. The various limits and restrictions that may be placed on a modem are outlined in chapter seven. Chapter eight describes the concept of and tools for reverse engineering cable modem hardware. A number of security features built into cable modems are listed in chapter nine. Chapter ten relates the story of how the author used a buffer overflow in order to execute code on a cable modem. SIGMA (System Integrated Genuinely Manipulated Assembly), discussed in chapter eleven, is a tool that can be used to provide an interface in order to submit and execute material on some cable modems. Chapter twelve explains three ways to modify configurations (in the examples given, in order to reset the modem frequencies to the European standard). Helpful software tools for experimenting with cable modems are listed in chapter thirteen. Ways to obtain information from the modem itself are examined in chapter fourteen. A hardware device for reprogramming the firmware on a specific modem is detailed in chapter fifteen. Chapter sixteen describes the full process for changing the modem configuration in order to remove throughput limits. Instructions and illustrations for creating a hardware cable that can be used to command the cable modem's console port directly are included in chapter seventeen. Chapter eighteen recounts various methods of changing firmware on the modem. A number of specific models of modems are described in some detail, with pictures of the inner hardware, and instructions on enabling or commanding certain functions. The RCA Broadband Cable Modem is in nineteen, the Webstar model DPC2100 in twenty, the SURFboard models SB3100, 4100, and 4200 in twenty-two, and the D-Link DCM202 in twenty- two. Chapter twenty-three suggests steps cable providers can take in order to secure their networks, and prevent people from hacking cable modems. Certain chapters provide clear and explicit directions that can be used by anyone. Others give tips and hints that can be helpful--but only if you already know certain facts that your cable provider is unlikely to be willing to deliver. Some sections could get the hobbyist cable hacker started, although useful results are unlikely to be achieved without a lot of experimentation and work. The book, while it contains a great deal of fascinating information, can be frustrating at times. Buried in the introduction is the statement that much of the material in this work started out as separate files giving isolated guides to specific activities. This explains a lot about the disorganized state of the volume. The chapters are extremely short, and vary in technical depth and quality. There is no logical thread through the text, and topically related chapters may be separated from each other by completely unrelated subjects. In addition, as you read through the book you will find that a few topics are repeated many times, while others seem to be implied, but never appear. While the author tends to speak as if the book can be used with all cable modems, much of the detailed content is specific not only to one particular brand and model, but to a particular level of firmware that is unlikely to be currently prevalent. For the home hobbyist, wanting to delve into both the hardware and software of the cable modem, this can be a valuable introduction. For others, the book may be a tad disappointing. copyright Robert M. Slade, 2006 BKHKCBMD.RVW 20061110