ThingPulse’s ESP32-S3-based Compact Pendrive S3 128MB

ThingPulse has developed a USB-C plug featuring ESP32-S3, flash memory of 128MB, and capacitive touch for commands. This ThingPulse Pendrive S3 can work as a BadUSB device, sending hundreds of keystrokes per second and executing predefined commands through simple scripts. The WiFi Duck enhances this capability by providing wireless control over these scripts via a web interface, eliminating the need for physical script transfers or application installations. This device emulates a USB keyboard and connects to a WiFi network, where users can remotely manage and deploy scripts in “real-time”, significantly streamlining the process of executing complex command sequences on target systems.

Meanwhile, the Espressif ESP32-S3-MINI-1 module on the board integrates an Xtensa dual-core 32-bit LX7 microprocessor with support for 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5 (low-energy).

ThingPulse Pendrive S3 specifications:

• Wireless module – ESP32-S3-MINI
  • CPU – Dual-core Xtensa LX7 @ 240 MHz,
  • Memory/Storage – 512 KB SRAM, 8MB on-chip flash,
  • Wireless – 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5 (LE)
  • PCB antenna
• Storage – 128MB flash memory, addressable via SDIO/MMC or SD card interface, in 1-bit or 4-bit mode
• USB – USB-C male connector
• Other specs
  • WS2812B addressable RGB LED
  • Capacitive touch button (Spring)
• USB drive plastic enclosure

TinyUSB enables the emulation feature of the pendrive module, allowing the device to mimic itself as mice, keyboards, storage, etc. The ThingPulse Pendrive S3 also supports CircuitPython, a subset of Python specifically for microcontrollers.

Features:

• USB-C male connector
• USB enclosure
• 128MB of flash memory, which can be addressed like an SD card. This is ideal to make the pendrive look like a regular memory stick
• WS2812B addressable RGB LED
• Capacitive Touch button (Featured by https://hackaday.com/2024/05/22/using-a-spring-as-a-capacitive-touch-button/and https://thingpulse.com/overcoming-design-challenges-the-touch-button-solution-for-the-pendrive-s3/)
• Supported by Circuit Python: https://circuitpython.org/board/ThingPulse_PendriveS3/

Applications:

• BadUSB/ Rubber Ducky device for Key Stroke Injection/ Automation. A modified version of Super Wifi Duck (https://github.com/squix78/SuperWiFiDuck) can run Ducky Script and also simulate mouse movements. Scripts can either automatically run after plugin in or when touching the capacitive touch button
• WiFi Dongle: networking device (see https://thingpulse.com/spicy-prototypes-esp32-s3-pendrive/)
• WiFi Disk: memory stick with additional access over WiFi and a web server (also previous link)

While this USB might have hacking and experimental applications, it is equally useful as a memory stick. Acting as a WiFiDisk, the Pendrive S3 can be used to synchronize files on the disk to the cloud. Moreover, the WiFiDongle enabled by ESP32-S3 allows the device to have additional WiFi networking devices wherever plugged in. ThingPulse has added a capacitive touch button to the Pendrive S3 which makes triggering applications easier.

The ThingPulse Pendrive S3 is available on their website (now can be back ordered) at $25. The product page also has a small guide and videos for aiding set up and use.

Our readers can get a 5 USD discount by using this coupon code during checkout: pendrive-s3-electronics-lab

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