How can the security and transparency of networked embedded systems be guaranteed if their internal protection mechanisms often remain hidden like a "black box"? In the ARTEWS project, a research project of the National Research Center for Applied Cybersecurity (ATHENE), experts from TU Darmstadt and Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences are developing innovative methods for the automated security analysis of embedded systems and wireless communication.

Modern urban infrastructures and intelligent transport systems are increasingly relying on highly complex, networked devices such as smart home components and connected vehicles. As manufacturers often use proprietary protocols, encrypted firmware or hardware locks to protect intellectual property, independent security audits and compliance testing are extremely difficult. Traditional, manual methods of analysis are no longer sufficient to keep pace with the technological complexity of modern chipsets and wireless protocols, making it difficult to identify design weaknesses and vulnerabilities.

The goal of ARTEWS is to develop a framework that automates the reconstruction of system functions by correlating different data sources, e.g., radio signals, hardware interfaces, and bus communication. One focus is on AI-supported analysis to understand obfuscated firmware and reconstruct the functioning of proprietary cryptographic protocols. In addition to pure analysis, the team develops future-proof protective measures: Weak or outdated security mechanisms are replaced with agile cryptography and software-based countermeasures. These solutions are then integrated and evaluated in realistic demonstrators, such as modern vehicles or smart home environments.