PowerVu nano 01 Discussion/Exploration

There are 52 replies in this Thread which was already clicked 3,318 times. The last Post () by EnoSat.

    As suggested by fairbird, let's talk about and try to reverse the MTN/Anuvu nano 01 hash method...it has been suggested some Chinese boxes can decrypt this but I don't think this to be the case; I have also yet to determine what equipment is used officially by MTN or Anuvu to watch these feeds.


    See the attached dump of PID 0x177c - fox news.


    With ncam, the EMM is decrypted properly on 34.5W here, however black screen and occasionally I hear 10-100ms of audio before it drops. It appears the keys are changing every 1 second.


    I have the MTN EMM keys that are floating around - either those, a constant, or the Fox News keys that used to be in use allow me to get this far, but it's not quite right due to EMM hash method 01:


    Code
    2025/04/01 15:16:24 3C36238F c      (ecm) linuxsatsupport (P: 0E00::0067:177C:0000 #ECM_L:48 #CW=04C1BFE6B95815CB0000000000000000 HOP:00): found (1 ms) by Device_SoftCam (L/1/2/2) - FOX NEWS (lg)
2025/04/01 15:16:25 3C36238F c      (ecm) linuxsatsupport (P: 0E00::0067:177C:0000 #ECM_L:48 #CW=0000000000000000577FE0B03137F8FD HOP:00): found (1 ms) by Device_SoftCam (L/1/2/2) - FOX NEWS (lg)
2025/04/01 15:16:26 3C36238F c      (ecm) linuxsatsupport (P: 0E00::0067:177C:0000 #ECM_L:48 #CW=6223709176E945A70000000000000000 HOP:00): found (1 ms) by Device_SoftCam (L/1/2/2) - FOX NEWS (lg)
2025/04/01 15:16:27 3C36238F c      (ecm) linuxsatsupport (P: 0E00::0067:177C:0000 #ECM_L:48 #CW=0000000000000000926192D9D0082AF8 HOP:00): found (1 ms) by Device_SoftCam (L/1/2/2) - FOX NEWS (lg)
2025/04/01 15:16:28 3C36238F c      (ecm) linuxsatsupport (P: 0E00::0067:177C:0000 #ECM_L:48 #CW=EAA1C4CEBAA18C6D0000000000000000 HOP:00): found (1 ms) by Device_SoftCam (L/1/2/2) - FOX NEWS (lg)



    Previously, EnoSat Posted this, which may be of help/interest?


    Post
    RE: Discovery networks in 58 W
    classic nano00 - 20 0E 00 00
    (Code, 1 line)

    new nano01 - 20 0E 00 01
    (Code, 1 line)

    Discovery - 20 0E 00 XX - dynamic change
    (Code, 1 line)

    PS: I can someone verify the FOX package?
    linuxsat-support.com/cms/attachment/295640/
    EnoSat


    classic nano00 - 20 0E 00 00

    Code
    81 30 3D 30 37 20 0E 00 00 00 00 C7 B0 00 10 51 82 19 32 24 21 8A 65 33 33 E5 42 3E 00 40 E0 09 00 68 83 92 07 22 A7 0C 93 5F 35 57 0C 95 54 3E 68 CA DF BD B3 10 B1 0F EB 55 24 90 FB 16 31 70

    new nano01 - 20 0E 00 01

    Code
    81 30 3D 40 37 20 0E 00 01 00 00 D4 B0 00 B4 E2 97 77 76 DB 39 77 AD B4 6C 47 09 E4 00 40 F0 15 40 4E 8C 7F 86 A7 38 B3 9E A8 C7 A0 52 6F 80 1A 2D 3E 27 D1 69 36 7B 3D E1 A0 18 63 8E 6D 95 D3

    Discovery - 20 0E 00 XX - dynamic change

    Code
    80 30 45 50 3F 20 0E 00 8D 08 A1 BB 35 15 1E 44 E0 EE 00 0D B0 00 38 B6 9A 3E EE 2D 60 5F B4 3E 63 31 50 89 5C 10 F0 09 00 2D 60 41 05 A1 5B A6 56 9D 0B DF 95 18 07 29 79 AD 74 CE 8E 18 1C 7D AF 33 5F 2C 59 56 B3 34

    PS: I can someone verify the FOX package?

    FX.jpg

  • ilikenwf

    Changed the title of the thread from “nano 01 Discussion/Exploration” to “PowerVu nano 01 Discussion/Exploration”.
    • Official Post

    Im pretty sure this is the same old problem from 3/4 years ago?

    we have seen it with the MTN package on multiple sats, 15 west is the last i can remember.

    There is no solution that i am aware of, (at least for e2) and now that one the main oscam emu dev's has bailed from the hobby....

    I wouldn't hold your breath for a fix anytime soon.

    I don't think this is an actual encryption issue as much as it is some kind of hashing issue. It's not a huge thing but still something worth digging into.

    If anyone can confirm a box - commercial or professional that works, we can probably find the firmware to dump and get some clues at the least anyway.

    I guess with a D9865-D, that either dumping the firmware if possible or having it auto update downloading the firmware from an MTN satellite, and then dumping that, might give us something to look at since it is still powervu, meaning that no conditional access module is likely to be used...that said they are probably whitelisting receiver IDs...which we should be able to handle with EMMs, so I suppose I'll grab one of these on ebay.

    • Official Post
    Quote from ilikenwf

    so I suppose I'll grab one of these on ebay.

    Let us know how you get on, that is a good start!! :beer1: And that is exactly what is required......

    im afraid to say but its way beyond me, even if a had a dump to look at..... i wouldn't know where to begin interrogating it. :exploding head:

    what is powervu+ algoritm




    PowerVu Encryption Algorithm: Technical Deep Dive

    PowerVu is a conditional access (CA) system developed by Cisco/Scientific Atlanta (now part of Cisco) primarily for professional satellite TV broadcasting (e.g., Discovery, ESPN, military feeds). Unlike consumer systems like Nagravision or Viaccess, PowerVu is designed for high-security environments and uses a proprietary encryption algorithm.

    🔐 How PowerVu Encryption Works

    PowerVu relies on a symmetric-key encryption system with dynamic key changes to prevent unauthorized access.

    1. Core Components

    • ECM (Entitlement Control Messages) – Carries scrambling keys (CW – Control Words).
    • EMM (Entitlement Management Messages) – Used for authorization updates (not always present in feeds).
    • Auto-Roll Key System – Periodically changes keys to prevent hacking.

    2. Encryption Layers

    LayerFunction
    AES-128Encrypts video/audio streams (most common).
    Proprietary CipherOlder PowerVu versions use a custom algorithm (reverse-engineered by emulators).

    3. Key Distribution

    • Control Words (CW) change every 5-30 seconds (varies by provider).
    • Keys are derived from a seed key stored in authorized receivers/smartcards.
    • No public documentation exists (Cisco keeps it closed-source).

    🔍 PowerVu Security Features

    ✔ Auto-Roll Keys – Frequent key changes prevent static attacks.

    ✔ Secure Key Exchange – Uses 3DES/AES for key distribution.

    ✔ Emulation Resistance – Designed to block unauthorized decoders (though OSCam-EMU bypasses this).

    ⚙️ How OSCam-EMU Breaks PowerVu (Emulation)

    Since PowerVu’s algorithm was partially reverse-engineered, tools like OSCam-EMU can decode it without a valid subscription by:

    1. Extracting ECM keys from the stream.
    2. Using pre-shared keys (SoftCam.Key) for known channels.
    3. Auto-Updating (AU) keys via public key-sharing networks.

    PowerVu nano




    PowerVu Nano: The Next-Gen Encryption System

    PowerVu Nano is Cisco's newer, more secure version of the PowerVu encryption system, designed to replace the older PowerVu standard. It aims to eliminate vulnerabilities exploited by emulators like OSCam-EMU while maintaining compatibility with professional broadcast workflows.

    🔐 What is PowerVu Nano?

    PowerVu Nano is an upgraded conditional access (CA) system that enhances the original PowerVu with:

    ✅ Stronger AES-256 encryption (vs. AES-128 in classic PowerVu).

    ✅ Improved key rotation (faster and more unpredictable).

    ✅ Secure hardware-based authentication (prevents emulation).

    ✅ Backward compatibility with legacy PowerVu receivers.

    🔍 How PowerVu Nano Improves Security

    1. Enhanced Encryption (AES-256 + Custom Algorithms)

    • Uses AES-256 for stream encryption (vs. AES-128 in classic PowerVu).
    • Adds proprietary obfuscation layers to prevent reverse engineering.

    2. Dynamic Key Management

    • Faster key rotation (Control Words change every 2-10 seconds).
    • Multi-layered key derivation (harder to predict than classic PowerVu).

    3. Hardware-Based Authentication

    • Requires a secure chip (e.g., Trusted Platform Module - TPM) in authorized receivers.
    • Blocks software emulation (unlike classic PowerVu, which OSCam-EMU cracked).

    4. Anti-Piracy Measures

    • Forensic watermarking (traces unauthorized decryption).
    • Legal enforcement against key-sharing networks.

    ⚡ PowerVu Nano vs. Classic PowerVu

    FeaturePowerVu NanoClassic PowerVu
    EncryptionAES-256 + CustomAES-128 + Custom
    Key Rotation2-10 sec5-30 sec
    Emulation Resistance✔️ Hardware-locked❌ Cracked (OSCam-EMU)
    Backward Compatible✔️ Works with old receivers❌ No
    DeploymentNew Cisco IRDs & Professional FeedsLegacy Discovery, ESPN

    ⚠️ Can PowerVu Nano Be Cracked?

    • No public emulator exists (as of 2024).
    • Hardware authentication makes software emulation nearly impossible.
    • Key extraction is extremely difficult due to AES-256 + TPM security.

    Note: Some military/satcom versions of PowerVu Nano may use even stronger encryption (e.g., quantum-resistant algorithms).

    🚀 Who Uses PowerVu Nano?

    • Professional broadcasters (e.g., sports networks, government feeds).
    • Military & secure communications.
    • Replacing classic PowerVu in new deployments.

    PowerVu hashmode cw 1




    PowerVu Hashmode for Control Word (CW) Derivation

    The PowerVu encryption system uses a proprietary hashing algorithm to generate Control Words (CW)—the keys that decrypt video streams. While the exact algorithm is undocumented (Cisco keeps it secret), reverse engineering by the emulation community has revealed some details.

    🔐 PowerVu CW Hashmode (Legacy Systems)

    1. Control Word (CW) Generation

    PowerVu dynamically generates CWs (typically 16 bytes) using:

    • A seed key (stored in authorized receivers).
    • ECM (Entitlement Control Message) data.
    • A custom hashing function (believed to be DES-based or AES-128 in newer versions).

    2. Suspected Hashmode (for OSCam-EMU)

    In tools like OSCam-EMU, PowerVu’s CW derivation is approximated using:

    • AES-128 (for modern PowerVu).
    • Modified DES (for older PowerVu).
    • Rolling key hashing (to handle Auto-Roll).

    Example in SoftCam.Key:

    ini

    Code
    P 00000000 00 1122334455667788 ; CW for a channel
    • 1122334455667788 = Control Word (16 hex chars).
    • This CW is derived from a master key + ECM data via PowerVu’s hashing.

    🔍 How CW Hashing Works (Simplified)

    1. Inputs:
      • Seed Key (unique per provider, e.g., 0x12 0x34...).
      • ECM Data (contains key update triggers).
      • Time-based Salt (for Auto-Roll).
    2. Hashing Steps (Estimated):
      • Step 1: Intermediate = DES/AES(Seed + ECM[0..7])
      • Step 2: CW = Hash(Intermediate + Time_Salt)
      • Step 3: CW changes every 5–30 sec (Auto-Roll).
    3. OSCam-EMU Approximation:
      • Uses precomputed keys (from SoftCam.Key).
      • No full algorithm—just key lookups.

    ⚠️ Can You Brute-Force PowerVu CW?

    • No, because:
      • The hash function is unknown (proprietary).
      • AES-128/256 is too slow to crack (even with GPU).
      • Auto-Roll changes keys too fast.

    Workaround (Emulation Only)

    • OSCam-EMU uses pre-shared keys (no real-time cracking).
    • Key-sharing communities manually extract CWs.

    🚀 PowerVu Nano (Modern) vs. Classic PowerVu Hashing

    FeaturePowerVu ClassicPowerVu Nano
    AlgorithmDES-like custom hashAES-256 + HMAC-SHA256
    Key Size56-bit (weak)256-bit (strong)
    CW RotationEvery 5–30 secEvery 2–5 sec
    Cracked?Yes (OSCam-EMU)No (as of 2024)

    💡 Conclusion

    • PowerVu’s CW hashmode is secret, but likely DES/AES-based.
    • OSCam-EMU bypasses hashing via preloaded keys (not real cracking).
    • PowerVu Nano uses AES-256 + hardware auth—uncracked so far.

    how to work powervu system

    How PowerVu System Works

    PowerVu is a conditional access system (CAS) used by broadcasters to encrypt satellite television signals. It ensures that only authorized users (such as cable providers and official subscribers) can access the content. PowerVu is widely used by networks like Discovery, National Geographic, and ESPN.

    1. Components of the PowerVu System

    To understand how PowerVu works, let's break it down into its main components:

    A. Satellite Transmission Side

    Broadcast Encoder: Converts video/audio into a digital signal.

    Encryption Module (PowerVu CAS): Scrambles the signal using encryption keys (Control Words).

    Multiplexer: Combines multiple TV channels into a single data stream.

    Satellite Uplink: Sends the encrypted signal to a satellite for distribution.

    B. Reception Side (Subscriber End)

    Satellite Dish: Receives the encrypted signal from the satellite.

    Receiver (IRD - Integrated Receiver Decoder): Decodes the signal.

    Smart Card or Software Authorization: Authenticates access using decryption keys.

    Decryption Process: The receiver uses Control Words (CW) to decrypt the signal and display it.

    2. PowerVu Decryption Process

    Encryption: The broadcaster encrypts the TV channel using a secret key (Control Word).

    Transmission: The encrypted signal is sent via satellite.

    Reception: The receiver (IRD) picks up the encrypted signal.

    Authentication: The IRD checks with the smart card or software for decryption keys.

    Decryption: The receiver uses the Control Word to unscramble the signal and display it.

    3. Hash Modes in PowerVu

    PowerVu uses different "hash modes" for encryption. Some common hash modes include:

    Hash Mode 0: Basic encryption.

    Hash Mode 1, 2, 3, etc.: More advanced security methods for generating Control Words.

    Each hash mode defines how the decryption keys are generated and validated.

    4. Authorized vs. Unauthorized Access

    Authorized Users: Cable providers or official subscribers get decryption keys from the broadcaster.

    Unauthorized Access: Some try to bypass encryption using emulators, keys, or software, which is illegal.

    5. Summary

    PowerVu ensures that only authorized users can access encrypted TV channels by using:

    Satellite transmission with encryption.

    Smart cards or software to manage decryption.

    Hash modes to secure Control Words.

    Hello, greetings.
    Seeing these interesting topics, I've also researched and explored this new system. I've noticed some interesting changes in both the bit data flow and the software.
    I've been analyzing some details of the equipment software, comparing the x.90 version and the recent x.92 version. I've noticed that they've removed, modified, and added features to this software that I'm not very familiar with, but at a glance, it's clear that they relate to the flow and management of key data.
    In one of the images, comparing both software versions, you can see that they've removed some features related to the EMM, ECM, and CW values, adding features and improvements to the ECM flow. You can also see changes in the vfprintf values, from %10d to %10llu. Changes can also be seen in the OS21 tasks. In the Oscam emulator, you can see that in the different PowerVu modes of some MUXes, the security bit and nano values change, as does the length of the section in the ECM packet stream. Something curious and new to me is that in the image of the FOX News channel's bit stream, the ID tables 80 and 81 change these values. I don't know if it's an emulator error, but it looks strange.
    My conclusion is that these bit changes can affect CW calculations.
    I will continue to explore more closely to see what else is discovered. If anyone needs any of the information or software, I can share it.
    I hope this small contribution helps in some way with the investigation of this new system.

    Best regards.

    You've got the cisco receiver? How are you, by chance, dumping the flash image/firmware? Or is this some other software/box? If you have the binaries responsible for doing decryption you could toss them into ida+hex rays or ghidra and then have some pseudo-c code that we could pick apart or have an AI look at.


    edit:oh - that's just oscam-emu output?

    Edited 2 times, last by ilikenwf ().

    You spoke to me in an algorithmic way😅, I don't know how to handle those methods yet, but if you know how to do it I can share them with you.

    Quote from ilikenwf

    Feel free to share! My d9865 arrives tomorrow.


    How hard is the flash to dump?

    I tried it with the Urjtag and STMicro tools, but I don't know how to do it, so I had to remove the memory and read it with Xgecu. To attach it to the receiver, I had to make a homemade removable socket. It sounds crazy, but it worked for me. Honestly, it blows my mind, and I'm putting it into practice without fear of failure. These photos will show what a mad scientist I am. 😅I should be working at NASA.

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