Hyunsoo Cha

Making unfamiliar systems tractable for vulnerability research

I reverse engineer undocumented or unsupported systems, from binaries and firmware to wireless protocols and embedded hardware, building the tooling needed to uncover vulnerabilities. I've been researching and competing in security since 2016.

01 focus

Reverse Engineering
binaries, firmware, and complex protocols
Vulnerability Research
vulnerability discovery and exploit research across Windows and Android
Wireless Security
cellular-derived PHY-layer analysis and proprietary RF protocol reversing
Embedded & Hardware Systems
firmware, RTL, and FPGA-based systems

02 experience

2020 - present
Security Research Lead
ENKI WhiteHat
  • Lead technical research across vulnerability discovery, wireless systems, and embedded hardware
  • Conduct private zero-day and exploit research spanning binaries, firmware, Windows, and Android
  • Build end-to-end research environments for undocumented wireless systems, from raw signal and PHY-layer analysis through protocol-state reconstruction
  • Develop FPGA/RTL prototypes incorporating extensively modified digital interface IP for hypothesis validation
  • Participate in cyber defense exercises (including Locked Shields, DFIR track) and author challenges for major security competitions

03 selected achievements

2019 - 2026
International CTF Highlights
Multiple DEF CON CTF Finals appearances, including a 3rd-place finish · Wins at SECCON and PlaidCTF
2022 - 2024
Domestic Cybersecurity Competitions
1st in drone security · 3rd in WhiteHat Contest Adult Division · Special Award in cryptanalysis
Awards from the Minister of Science and ICT, Cyber Operations Commander, and Director of the Signal Technology Research Institute
2021 - 2022
Digital Forensics Competitions
Multiple awards, including the KDFS Excellence Award
Korean National Police Agency Commissioner Award
2019 - 2020
KISA Vulnerability Hall of Fame
Annual Top 10 in 2019 and 2020 · Reported RCE, LPE, and DoS vulnerabilities across messaging, media, document, and antivirus software
2016 - 2019
National Youth Cybersecurity Competitions
First CTF award in 2016 · Three 1st-place finishes from 2017 to 2019
Minister of National Defense and Minister of the Interior and Safety awards

04 skills

Primary
CPython
Reverse Engineering
IDA Prox64dbgWinDbg
Proficient
C++
Familiar
MATLABVerilog

05 education

M.S.
Computer Science and Engineering
Kyung Hee University
Major in Convergence Security
B.S.
Computer Science and Engineering
Pusan National University