Realtek Bluetooth Security Research Hub

Hardware, software and documentation for Bluetooth security research on Realtek platforms.

The Dark Firmware Project

Realtek supports the Dark Firmware Project by firmware security researcher Xeno Kovah, which gives the Bluetooth security community an accessible development platform for research.

The project is built on a lower-cost Realtek evaluation board, to help lower the barrier to entry for Bluetooth security research.

Latest Research
Xeno Kovah's Conference Talks

Xeno Kovah's talks at Hardwear.io 2025 (Amsterdam) and DistrictCon 2026 (Washington, D.C.).

Development Hardware
RTL8761CUV Evaluation Board (EVB) - Recommended
RTL8761CUV Evaluation Board (EVB)
  • RTL8761CUV Chip: Bluetooth 5.4 support.
  • External antenna connector: IPEX/SMA, for RF measurements.
  • Vendor-specific commands (VSC): Used with the "RTL8761C Linux SDK for the Dark Firmware Project" on RealMCU, the EVB can send and receive custom LMP/LLCP packets.
  • Technical questions: Please post on the RealMCU developer forum.