Tag: firmware

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The Ultimate Guide to DMA Cheats: Essential Knowledge and Setup

Welcome to an updated, comprehensive guide on using Direct Memory Access (DMA) cheats in gaming. Drawing from extensive experience as a staff member on a cheat Discord and a seasoned user of DMA cheats across various games, I’ve compiled a wealth of information to help you navigate this intriguing yet complex landscape.

Understanding DMA Requirements

DMA (Direct Memory Access) cards are small boards primarily used for game cheating or forensic analysis. They hold minimal value outside these realms, leading to limited support. The community largely relies on ulfrisk, the developer behind pcileech, for guidance and tools. Here are the essential requirements for owning and using a DMA card:

  1. Mental Acumen: You’ll need a sharp mind and multiple brain cells to grasp the complexities of DMA cheating.
  2. Two Computers: While using one PC is possible, it defeats the purpose unless you’re developing DMA cheats.
  3. Quality Firmware: Be cautious when selecting vendors to ensure you get reliable firmware.
  4. Kmbox: The kmbox b+ pro is recommended; the kmbox net is considered unreliable.
  5. Desktop PC: The DMA card plugs into a PCIe slot. Avoid ASUS or Gigabyte motherboards due to known issues.
  6. Fuser: For a smooth ESP (Extra Sensory Perception) experience, use a fuser. There are several methods available, but they come with a risk of detection.
DMA Packages
Full DMA Card Setup inc card, fuser and KMBox.

Choosing the Right DMA Card

DMA cards vary in speed, with different models suited for different needs. The speed is crucial for features that require heavy Write Process Memory (WPM) and Read Process Memory (RPM) operations, such as silent aim or omni sprint. Here’s a breakdown of the available DMA cards:

  1. 35T Cards:
    • Recommended: 35T DMA Card (PCIe)
    • Average Speed: 150-200 MBPS
    • Pros: Reliable with excellent support.
  2. 75T Cards:
  3. 100T Cards:
    • Recommended: ZDMA
    • Average Speed: 800-1050 MBPS
    • Pros: Currently the only source for high-speed boards.

Avoid cheap Chinese DMA cards due to their lack of support and reliability issues compared to Western boards.

Setting Up Your DMA Card

Setting up your DMA card involves several steps to ensure it functions correctly. Here’s a detailed guide (credit to root / James for the original instructions):

  1. Turn Off Your Main PC: Unplug it to avoid any potential damage.
  2. Insert the Board: Plug your DMA board into the PCIe slot of your main PC.
  3. Connect USB Cable: Connect the USB cable from the data port on the DMA to your second PC.
  4. Boot into BIOS: Start your main PC and boot into BIOS.
  5. Adjust BIOS Settings: Disable or adjust the following settings:
    • Virtualization (Intel)
    • VT-d
    • Virtualization (AMD)
    • IQMMU (AMD CBS > NBIO Common Options > NB Configuration > IOMMU)
    • NX-Bit (if available, CPU Settings Secure Virtual Machine)
    • Secure Boot (if the option is greyed out, clear all keys)
    • Set PCI slot of DMA from Auto to Gen1 (Advanced > PCI Settings)
  6. Save and Exit BIOS: Boot your main PC into Windows.
  7. Boot Second PC: Start your second PC and boot into Windows.
  8. Device Recognition: You should see “FTDI FT601 USB 3.0 Bridge Device” in Device Manager -> Universal Serial Bus controllers on the second PC.

Flashing Firmware to Your DMA Card

Flashing your firmware requires caution and reliable guidance from your firmware provider. Many providers can be unreliable, so ensure they offer thorough support throughout the process.

Download DMA Tools mentioned in below video: https://mega.nz/folder/HwZCxDrD#2C2edLbOT3c_ia5-7KBKbg

Developing for DMA

For those looking to develop DMA cheats, Metick’s DMA wrapper is highly recommended. It includes all the necessary components to create a competent external cheat, including shellcode injection.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Using a DMA card can come with various challenges. Here are some troubleshooting steps to help you navigate potential problems:

  • BSOD (Blue Screen of Death): Often caused by firmware conflicts. Flashing different firmware can resolve these issues.
  • Bans: Consult your firmware provider and check for ban waves; it’s typically a firmware issue.
  • Bad TLP Requests in Console: This indicates a firmware problem. Contact your provider for a fix.

Conclusion

Navigating the world of DMA cheats involves a combination of technical knowledge, reliable hardware, and quality support. By following this guide, you’ll be better equipped to set up and use your DMA card effectively, maximizing your gaming experience while minimizing risks. Remember, the DMA Custom Firmware you decide to use is critical to successfully staying undetected.

For more detailed discussions and community support, refer to the original guide on Unknown Cheats. Happy cheating!

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FPGA and Its Role in DMA Cards: A Beginner’s Guide

FPGA & DMA Cards

What is an FPGA?

An FPGA, or Field Programmable Gate Array, is a type of integrated circuit (IC) that can be programmed by the user after manufacturing. Unlike traditional chips that come with predefined functions, FPGAs can be customized to perform a wide range of tasks. Imagine it like a blank slate that can be turned into a calculator, a signal processor, or even a tiny computer, depending on how you configure it.

Breaking Down the Terminology

  • Field Programmable: This means you can program the chip in the “field” (after it’s been deployed in the real world).
  • Gate Array: Refers to the basic building blocks of the FPGA. These are logic gates that can be connected in various ways to perform complex operations.

How Does an FPGA Work?

Think of an FPGA as a giant box of Lego bricks. Each brick can be a part of a larger creation, and you can rearrange the bricks to build whatever you need. In an FPGA, these “bricks” are logic blocks and interconnects that you can program to execute specific tasks.

Why Use an FPGA?

  • Flexibility: You can reprogram FPGAs to fix bugs or add new features without needing to replace the hardware.
  • Performance: They can perform tasks faster than a CPU because they can execute multiple operations in parallel.
  • Customization: FPGAs can be tailored to specific applications, making them highly efficient for particular tasks.

What is a DMA Card?

DMA stands for Direct Memory Access. A DMA card is a piece of hardware that allows certain subsystems within a computer to access the system memory independently, without involving the central processing unit (CPU). This speeds up data transfer rates and frees up the CPU to perform other tasks.

Why Use DMA?

  • Efficiency: Offloading data transfer tasks from the CPU to the DMA card allows the CPU to handle more complex processing.
  • Speed: DMA can move data faster than the CPU can, especially for large blocks of data.

Combining FPGA with DMA: The Power Duo

When you combine an FPGA with a DMA card, you get a powerful tool that can handle customized, high-speed data transfers with great efficiency. Here’s how it works:

  1. Customization: The FPGA can be programmed to handle specific data processing tasks tailored to your needs. For instance, in a video streaming application, the FPGA can be programmed to compress or decompress video data on-the-fly.
  2. High-Speed Data Transfer: The DMA component allows the FPGA to move data directly to and from the system memory, bypassing the CPU and significantly speeding up the process.

Real-World Applications

Video Processing

In video processing, real-time data transfer and processing are crucial. An FPGA can be programmed to handle video encoding or decoding while the DMA transfers the video data to and from memory. This ensures smooth, high-quality video playback or streaming.

Network Security

In network security, FPGAs can be used to implement firewalls or encryption algorithms. The DMA card allows quick access to network data, enabling real-time inspection and processing to detect and prevent threats.

Scientific Research

In scientific experiments that require high-speed data acquisition and processing, FPGAs combined with DMA can capture data from sensors, process it, and store it efficiently. This is essential in fields like particle physics or genomics, where large volumes of data are generated.

Getting Started with FPGA and DMA

  1. Learn the Basics: Familiarize yourself with basic digital logic concepts and FPGA architecture. There are many online resources, courses, and books available.
  2. Choose the Right FPGA: Based on your application, select an FPGA that meets your needs in terms of size, speed, and features.
  3. Get the Tools: You’ll need software tools to design and program your FPGA. Vendors like Xilinx and Intel (Altera) provide comprehensive development environments.
  4. Experiment and Iterate: Start with simple projects to get a feel for FPGA programming. Gradually move on to more complex tasks involving DMA for data transfer.

Conclusion

FPGAs are incredibly versatile and powerful tools that, when combined with DMA cards, can revolutionize data processing tasks. Whether you’re working on video processing, network security, or scientific research, understanding how to leverage these technologies can open up new possibilities and significantly enhance performance. So, dive in, experiment, and discover the power of FPGAs in your next project!

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The World of DMA Cards: Uses, Misuses, and the Battle with Anti-Cheat Systems

dma card dual pc setup

Introduction

Direct Memory Access (DMA) cards have been around for decades, initially designed to enhance computing performance by allowing peripheral devices to access the system memory independently of the central processing unit (CPU). This capability significantly reduces the CPU’s workload, enabling faster data processing and efficient multitasking. Over time, the applications of DMA cards have expanded, reaching into various fields, including video game cheating. As a result, anti-cheat systems like Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC), BattleEye, and Ricochet are constantly evolving to combat these sophisticated methods of unfair play. This blog post delves into the multifaceted uses of DMA cards, their role in video game cheating, the challenges faced by anti-cheat mechanisms, and the critical role of custom firmware in evading detection.

The Many Uses of DMA Cards

DMA cards are versatile tools with applications that extend beyond gaming. Here are some of the primary uses:

  1. High-Speed Data Transfer: DMA cards are crucial in environments where high-speed data transfer is necessary. They are commonly used in servers and data centers to offload tasks from the CPU, enhancing performance and efficiency.
  2. Embedded Systems: In embedded systems, DMA cards facilitate real-time data processing, crucial for applications in automotive electronics, industrial automation, and medical devices.
  3. Audio and Video Processing: Multimedia applications benefit from DMA cards by offloading intensive audio and video processing tasks, ensuring smooth playback and recording without taxing the CPU.
  4. Networking: In networking, DMA cards enable high-throughput data transfers, essential for network interface cards (NICs) in high-performance computing and data-intensive environments.

DMA Cards in Video Game Cheating

The competitive nature of video games has led some players to seek unfair advantages, giving rise to a market for cheats and hacks. DMA cards have become a powerful tool in this domain due to their ability to access system memory directly and undetectably. Here’s how they are used in video game cheating:

  1. Memory Scanning and Manipulation: Cheaters use DMA cards to scan the game’s memory for valuable information such as player coordinates, health status, and other critical game variables. By manipulating this data, they can create a variety of cheats, from wallhacks and aimbots to resource hacks.
  2. Bypassing Software Restrictions: Since DMA cards operate independently of the CPU, they can bypass many software-based anti-cheat measures. This makes it difficult for game developers to detect and block these cheats.

The Struggle of Anti-Cheat Systems

Anti-cheat systems like Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC), BattleEye, and Ricochet have been developed to maintain fair play in online gaming. However, the sophisticated use of DMA cards poses significant challenges for these systems.

Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC)

Developed by Kamu, EAC is widely used in popular games such as Fortnite and Apex Legends. EAC employs a combination of client-side and server-side detection techniques to identify cheats. However, its primary struggle with DMA cards is their ability to operate outside the monitored memory space, making detection difficult.

BattleEye

BattleEye is another prominent anti-cheat system used in games like PUBG and ARMA. It focuses on detecting unauthorized software and hardware interactions. Despite its robust detection methods, BattleEye finds it challenging to identify DMA card-based cheats due to their stealthy nature and ability to avoid triggering traditional anti-cheat alarms.

Ricochet

Ricochet, developed by Activision for Call of Duty titles, represents a newer approach to anti-cheat technology. It uses kernel-level drivers to monitor system processes and interactions. While effective against many types of cheats, Ricochet also faces difficulties in detecting DMA-based exploits due to their lower-level access and the use of custom firmware.

The Role of Custom Firmware in Evading Detection

Custom firmware plays a crucial role in the effectiveness of DMA cards for cheating. Here’s how:

  1. Stealth Operations: Custom firmware can be designed to operate in a way that mimics legitimate system processes, making it hard for anti-cheat software to distinguish between normal and malicious activity.
  2. Dynamic Memory Manipulation: Firmware can be programmed to manipulate memory dynamically, altering data in real-time without leaving traces that traditional detection methods would recognize.
  3. Evasion Techniques: Advanced firmware can employ evasion techniques such as memory cloaking, which hides the presence of the DMA card and its operations from the operating system and anti-cheat software.

Historical Perspective on Anti-Cheat Systems

Early Anti-Cheat Measures

The earliest anti-cheat measures were relatively simple, often involving client-side checks for known cheat signatures and basic server-side validation. As cheating techniques evolved, these measures quickly became inadequate.

Rise of Advanced Anti-Cheat Solutions

With the rise of online multiplayer games, the need for more sophisticated anti-cheat solutions became apparent. EAC and BattleEye emerged as leaders in the field, developing advanced detection techniques that combined heuristic analysis, pattern recognition, and real-time monitoring.

The Advent of Kernel-Level Anti-Cheat

Kernel-level anti-cheat systems like Vanguard represent the latest evolution in the battle against cheating. By operating at the kernel level, these systems gain deeper access to system processes and memory, providing enhanced detection capabilities. However, as demonstrated by the challenges posed by DMA cards, even kernel-level solutions have their limitations.

Conclusion

DMA cards are powerful tools with legitimate applications in various fields, from data centers to embedded systems. However, their misuse in video game cheating presents significant challenges for anti-cheat systems. Despite the advancements in anti-cheat technology, the stealthy and sophisticated nature of DMA card-based cheats, often enhanced by custom firmware, makes detection difficult. The ongoing battle between cheaters and anti-cheat developers underscores the need for continuous innovation and adaptation in both hardware and software security measures. As gaming continues to evolve, so too must the strategies to ensure fair play and a level playing field for all.

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Guide to Creating Custom Firmware for DMA Cards

custom dma firmware guide

Welcome! If you’re looking to create your own custom firmware for DMA cards, you’ve come to the right place. There’s a lot of misinformation and gatekeeping surrounding this topic, often because people sell firmware for hundreds of dollars. This guide aims to demystify the process and provide you with the tools and knowledge needed to create custom firmware and avoid anti-cheat detection.

Prerequisites

Before diving in, ensure you have the following tools and resources:

Initial Customization

Step 1: Setting Up Your Environment

  1. Install Vivado and Visual Studio: Follow the standard installation process for both tools.
  2. Download the Firmware Source: Clone or download the firmware source code from the provided GitHub link.

Step 2: Customizing the Firmware

  1. Open the Firmware Project:
    • Launch Visual Studio and open the PCIeSquirrel folder.
  2. Search and Modify Functions:
    • Press CTRL+F to search for specific lines of code.
    • Locate rw[20] <= 1; in the pcileech_pcie_cfg_a7.sv file.
    • Change lines 208 and 209 to:verilogCopy coderw[20] <= 1; rw[21] <= 1;
    • Modify the Device Serial Number (DSN) on line 215:verilogCopy coderw[127:64] <= 64'h00000000xxxxxxxx; // +008: cfg_dsn Change xxxxxxxx to a unique identifier.

Generating the Project

Step 3: Building the Vivado Project

  1. Open the TCL Shell:
    • Navigate to the project folder using cd.bashCopy codecd C:/Users/XXXX/Desktop/PCIeSquirrel
    • Generate the Vivado project:bashCopy codesource vivado_generate_project.tcl -notrace
  2. Open the Project in Vivado:
    • Double-click the pcileech_squirrel.xpr file to open it in Vivado.

Customizing Within Vivado

Step 4: Modifying PCIe Parameters

  1. Navigate to the IP Core:
    • In the project manager, open the file tree to pcileech_squirrel_top\i_pcileech_pci_a7.
    • Double-click i_pcie_7x_0 to customize the IP.
  2. Update Device IDs:
    • In the IDs tab, modify the following parameters to match your desired device:
      • Vendor ID: 10EB
      • Device ID: 3029
      • Revision ID: 09
      • Subsystem Vendor ID: 10EB
      • Subsystem ID: 0008
    • Adjust class codes if mimicking a different device type.
  3. Lock the IP Core:
    • In the TCL Console, lock the core:tclCopy codeset_property is_managed false [get_files pcie_7x_0.xci]

Advanced Customization

Step 5: Changing BAR Address and MSI/PCI Pointers

  1. Modify BAR Address:
    • Search for bar_0 in Visual Studio:jsonCopy code"bar_0": [ { "value": "FFFFF000", "resolve_type": "generated", "usage": "all" } ],
    • Change the address to mimic a physical device.
  2. Update MSI/PCI Pointers:
    • Run synthesis in Vivado to generate strings.
    • In Visual Studio, search and modify MSI/PCI pointers.

Final Steps

Step 6: Building the Firmware

  1. Generate Bitstream:
    • In Vivado, select Generate Bitstream.
    • Once complete, locate the firmware file: pcileech_squirrel_top.bin.

Flashing the Firmware

Step 7: Flashing the DMA Card

  1. Prepare for Flashing:
    • Ensure the DMA card is connected to the JTAG port.
  2. Use OpenOCD for Flashing:
    • Open the command prompt and navigate to the flash_screamer folder.bashCopy codecd Desktop/flash_screamer
    • Flash the firmware:bashCopy code..\openocd\bin\openocd.exe -f flash_screamer_squirrel.cfg
  3. Verify Successful Flashing:
    • Confirm the firmware has been flashed by checking for the Found flash device message.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which DMA card should I get? For budget-friendly options, choose 35T. For faster and newer cards, go for 75T.
  • What firmware do I need for my DMA card? 35T uses Squirrel, and 75T uses EnigmaX1.
  • Can I flash the same firmware on a new card? Yes, as long as the prototype chip is the same.
  • What are the minimum specs for my second computer? USB 3.0 and at least 6GB RAM.
  • How do I flash my firmware? Use OpenOCD or the relevant tool for your specific DMA card model.

Congratulations on completing the custom firmware for your DMA card! Remember, this guide is for educational purposes, you are responsible for anything that happens to your card or computer.

Credit to garagedweller at UnknownCheats for the original guide.

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DMA Cards and the Role of Custom Firmware

custom dma firmware

Direct Memory Access (DMA) cards have become an indispensable tool in various domains, ranging from system diagnostics and forensics to the more controversial area of online gaming cheats. This blog post will delve into the intricacies of DMA cards, the necessity of custom firmware, and the precautions one must take to ensure safety and undetectability.

What is DMA?

Direct Memory Access (DMA) allows peripherals to access the system memory independently of the CPU. A DMA card installed in a target machine can read and write memory directly, facilitated through a PCIe interface. This interaction is managed via a USB connection to a secondary computer, which can then run custom software to interact with the target machine’s memory. This capability makes DMA cards valuable for:

  • Modifying the memory of target software
  • Conducting computer diagnostics
  • Performing digital forensics
  • Accessing target filesystems stealthily

Risks and Safety Considerations

While DMA technology itself poses minimal risk since it only interacts with memory as instructed, the installation of a DMA card can lead to detection by sophisticated anti-cheat software, particularly in the gaming industry. This detection risk is where custom firmware becomes crucial.

Why is Custom Firmware Necessary?

Custom firmware plays a pivotal role in masking the presence of a DMA card. By disguising the DMA card as a generic PCIe device (e.g., sound card or Ethernet card), custom firmware can evade detection by anti-cheat programs. This camouflage is essential for gamers who use DMA cards to gain an edge in competitive online gaming.

Without custom firmware, a DMA card, even when inactive, can trigger alerts in anti-cheat software, potentially leading to bans. Therefore, for gamers, it’s advisable to either:

  1. Remove the DMA card before engaging in gaming sessions.
  2. Use custom firmware to conceal the card’s true nature.

Installing and Managing DMA Cards

Seeing a DMA device in your device manager is normal and doesn’t necessarily indicate a problem with your firmware. Many devices, including network cards, audio controllers, and video cards, utilize DMA technology. However, if concerns arise, consulting support through Discord channels or opening a ticket with the provider is recommended.

Choosing the Right DMA Card and Firmware

The performance of DMA cards can vary. For instance, a card with a 75T chip is inherently faster than one with a 35T chip, though the actual performance gain may be negligible due to USB connection limitations. Cards with advanced connection types like Thunderbolt may offer better performance, but software optimization often levels the playing field.

Several DMA card models are popular in the market, including:

  • LamdaConcept Screamer/Squirrel
  • Enigma X-1
  • MVP DMA
  • AceDMA
  • LeetDMA
  • DMANinja
  • CaptainDMA
  • RaptorDMA
  • HackDMA
  • ZDMA
  • Lurker

Ensuring the legitimacy of the firmware and resellers is critical. It’s advisable to verify resellers through official Discord channels or support tickets, as software licenses are non-transferable post-purchase.

The Role of Libraries in DMA Cheats

DMA cheats rely heavily on libraries like LeechCore, MemProcFS, and DMA libraries. These libraries are foundational to the DMA cheat ecosystem. For example, the LeechCore library offers a command, LC_CMD_FPGA_PCIECFGSPACE, that allows an FPGA DMA card to return its entire Configuration Space. This function, while useful, can pose security risks. A cheat developer could potentially create custom firmware by dumping your Configuration Space, which could then be used and detected, risking your own account and hardware.

Protecting Yourself from Detection

To safeguard against such risks, it is essential to:

  1. Use cheats that allow you to use your own LeechCore.dll.
  2. Compile a secure LeechCore.dll that blocks potentially dangerous commands.

Custom Firmware Costs and Acquisition

Investing in DMA hardware typically costs between $300 and $700 USD. Custom firmware, crucial for undetectability, ranges from $100 to $300 USD. For those new to the DMA scene, seeking reputable providers and being wary of scams is crucial.

Community Insights

The community plays a significant role in navigating the DMA landscape. For instance, Warzone’s Ricochet anti-cheat currently lacks DMA cheat detection, making almost any firmware suitable. However, for other games with more robust anti-cheat mechanisms, investing in specific firmware, such as BE/EAC 1:1 firmware from providers like Cyberammo, might be necessary.

Conclusion

DMA cards, coupled with custom firmware, offer powerful capabilities for memory manipulation, diagnostics, and more. However, navigating the complexities of detection, securing reliable firmware, and understanding the underlying technology are crucial for effective and safe usage. Engaging with the community and staying informed about the latest developments can help mitigate risks and maximize the benefits of DMA technology.