Firmware Analysts Workflow • AR

AR Archive Extractor

Optimized for firmware analysts. Peel apart firmware bundles and ROM images inside a secure browser sandbox

Drop your AR archive here

We extract everything directly in your browser. For multipart archives, select all parts.

Reverse-engineer firmware packages faster by previewing file trees, extracting config scripts, and grabbing assets for deeper analysis.

Example Archive

Archive Name

sample-package.deb

Typical Usage

Debian package

Why teams choose this tool

  • Handles common firmware formats like 7z, tar.xz, and ISO
  • Preview scripts and metadata before exporting
  • Download only the sections you need for RE tools
  • Sandboxes everything offline for sensitive investigations

Workflow

  1. Load the firmware archive from your test bench or vendor portal.
  2. Inspect boot scripts, configs, or binary blobs inside the image.
  3. Export selected files for analysis in IDA, Ghidra, or Binwalk.

Format quick facts

Unix AR archives bundle object files and are the container format for Debian (.deb) packages.

Supported extensions: .ar, .deb

Best for

  • Analyzing router or IoT firmware drops
  • Extracting configuration defaults for comparison
  • Investigating suspected malware inside appliance updates
  • Preparing partial updates for lab flashing

Pitfalls to watch

  • Some firmware images use custom formats; if detection fails, repackage with a supported tool first.
  • Encrypted sections still require vendor keys or passphrases.
  • Preserve offsets when necessary by downloading the entire archive for tooling like Binwalk.

Common questions

Will this modify the firmware image?

No. We only read archive contents. Use the download buttons to export files—the original image stays untouched.

Can I preview scripts or plain-text configs?

Yes. Select a file to view its metadata and quick content preview before deciding to download it.

Accelerate firmware tear-downs

Investigate vendor updates without flashing devices. Extract, inspect, and share findings faster than ever.