Mount and/or extract files from SWUPDATE.bin?

patrik · 01-28-2019, 10:19 AM

I have extracted the sw-file from the update image, but can't seem to find out how to mount it, or understand the structure in order to extract files.

I have searched here (and on google) without finding anything.

Anyone know the format?

rkomar · 01-28-2019, 10:41 AM

There was a python script called pbfwsplit.pl floating around the net that could be used to extract the pieces inside of the unzipped file. However, last time I tried it a few years ago, it wouldn't work on the latest firmware updates anymore. You can probably still find it to see how the unpacking was done then, just to see how much reverse engineering would be required to update the script.

patrik · 01-28-2019, 10:55 AM

Thank you. Found the script but didn't work as you said. Also found an old description of the format of the image. (Both from 2011.)

Oh well...

What I wanted to try is to see if a binary for the Inkpad 2 would run on Inkpad 3. Do you know if that is probable?

(If anyone has an Inkpad 2 here and would like to help, please send me a mess.)

rkomar · 01-28-2019, 06:58 PM

You can check the SDK available for each to see if the libraries are the same on both devices. If so, I think the binaries would be able to start up on both systems. However, if some feature depends on the exact system configuration, and that has changed between systems, then the binaries may not run properly. I think all you can do is try and see.

kakonema · 08-26-2019, 05:05 PM

Actually, the perl script still works fine, but the new SWUPDATE.BIN is gzipped, so you need to first decompress it for a script to be able to extract firmware.

rkomar · 08-26-2019, 06:46 PM

Yes, it works! Thanks! I wish I had more karma to give you.

brucelee · 08-28-2019, 04:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrik

What I wanted to try is to see if a binary for the Inkpad 2 would run on Inkpad 3. Do you know if that is probable?

Just like rkomar said, it depends on the libs functionality it's implementing. Usually things should work from one device to another but sometimes there are breaking changes introduced in the libs and stuff stops working as expected.

patrik · 08-28-2019, 07:32 AM

Thanks, great news that the script works.

Now, if I just could remember what program it was I wanted to test...

Marco77 · 08-28-2019, 01:21 PM

I use the tools described at https://www.synacktiv.com/posts/hard...-reverser.html

kakonema · 08-31-2019, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rkomar

Yes, it works! Thanks! I wish I had more karma to give you.

Thank you! Glad I could help.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marco77

I use the tools described at https://www.synacktiv.com/posts/hard...-reverser.html

Interesting read, thanks!

daniel.weck · 12-20-2021, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marco77

I use the tools described at https://www.synacktiv.com/posts/hard...-reverser.html

Thanks for the tip. See updated tool on GitHub:
https://github.com/Synacktiv-contrib...ment-997981716

01-28-2019, 10:19 AM	#1
patrik Guru Posts: 658 Karma: 4568205 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Sweden Device: Kobo Forma	Mount and/or extract files from SWUPDATE.bin? I have extracted the sw-file from the update image, but can't seem to find out how to mount it, or understand the structure in order to extract files. I have searched here (and on google) without finding anything. Anyone know the format?

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01-28-2019, 10:41 AM	#2
rkomar Wizard Posts: 2,986 Karma: 18343081 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Sudbury, ON, Canada Device: PRS-505, PB 902, PRS-T1, PB 623, PB 840, PB 633	There was a python script called pbfwsplit.pl floating around the net that could be used to extract the pieces inside of the unzipped file. However, last time I tried it a few years ago, it wouldn't work on the latest firmware updates anymore. You can probably still find it to see how the unpacking was done then, just to see how much reverse engineering would be required to update the script.

01-28-2019, 10:55 AM	#3
patrik Guru Posts: 658 Karma: 4568205 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Sweden Device: Kobo Forma	Thank you. Found the script but didn't work as you said. Also found an old description of the format of the image. (Both from 2011.) Oh well... What I wanted to try is to see if a binary for the Inkpad 2 would run on Inkpad 3. Do you know if that is probable? (If anyone has an Inkpad 2 here and would like to help, please send me a mess.)

01-28-2019, 06:58 PM	#4
rkomar Wizard Posts: 2,986 Karma: 18343081 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Sudbury, ON, Canada Device: PRS-505, PB 902, PRS-T1, PB 623, PB 840, PB 633	You can check the SDK available for each to see if the libraries are the same on both devices. If so, I think the binaries would be able to start up on both systems. However, if some feature depends on the exact system configuration, and that has changed between systems, then the binaries may not run properly. I think all you can do is try and see.

08-26-2019, 05:05 PM	#5
kakonema Member Posts: 14 Karma: 47542 Join Date: Aug 2019 Device: PB632 THD3	Actually, the perl script still works fine, but the new SWUPDATE.BIN is gzipped, so you need to first decompress it for a script to be able to extract firmware.

08-26-2019, 06:46 PM	#6
rkomar Wizard Posts: 2,986 Karma: 18343081 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Sudbury, ON, Canada Device: PRS-505, PB 902, PRS-T1, PB 623, PB 840, PB 633	Yes, it works! Thanks! I wish I had more karma to give you.

08-28-2019, 07:32 AM	#8
patrik Guru Posts: 658 Karma: 4568205 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Sweden Device: Kobo Forma	Thanks, great news that the script works. Now, if I just could remember what program it was I wanted to test...

08-28-2019, 01:21 PM	#9
Marco77 Connoisseur Posts: 55 Karma: 8430 Join Date: Mar 2016 Device: PW3, Clara HD, PB740	I use the tools described at https://www.synacktiv.com/posts/hard...-reverser.html

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