PCILeech is an open-source project created by Ulf Frisk. It utilizes hardware to perform DMA attacks. In simple terms, it allows a computer (the attacker) to read and write the memory of a target computer via a high-speed expansion port (like PCIe, Thunderbolt, or PCMCIA), completely bypassing the main CPU and Operating System oversight.
In the context of custom DMA hardware (often sold by various vendors in the grey market), "Enigma" usually refers to a specific hardware model or a modified version of an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) board. These boards are designed to be smaller, faster, or more covert than standard development boards. The "Enigma" moniker suggests a commercial or community-customized variant of FPGA hardware optimized for DMA operations, often based on Xilinx Artix-7 chips. pcileech-enigma-x1-top.bin
This technology sits at a controversial intersection. It is used for two vastly different purposes: legitimate security research and illicit cheating. PCILeech is an open-source project created by Ulf Frisk