[Secure ROM DL Mode] read_flash command fails (ESPTOOL-567)

[chipweinberger]

Operating System

macOS 12.5.1

Esptool Version

esptool.py v3.3.2
esp-idf v4.4.3-215-g9f3f82f54b

Python Version

3.9.9

Chip Description

ESP32-S3

Device Description

ESP32-S3 Dev Kit C

How is Esptool Run

Mac OS Terminal

Full Esptool Command Line that Was Run

/Volumes/User/MBP-Google-Drive/jamcorder/firmware/.espressif/python_env/idf4.4_py3.9_env/bin/python /Volumes/User/MBP-Google-Drive/jamcorder/firmware/esp-idf/components/esptool_py/esptool/esptool.py -p /dev/cu.SLAB_USBtoUART -b 460800 --before default_reset --after no_reset --chip esp32s3 --no-stub read_flash 0x0 100 /Users/charlesweinberger/Desktop/testdata.bin

Esptool Output

esptool.py v3.3.2
Serial port /dev/cu.SLAB_USBtoUART
Connecting....
Chip is ESP32-S3 in Secure Download Mode
Changing baud rate to 460800
Changed.
Enabling default SPI flash mode...
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/Volumes/User/MBP-Google-Drive/jamcorder/firmware/esp-idf/components/esptool_py/esptool/esptool.py", line 5482, in <module>
    _main()
  File "/Volumes/User/MBP-Google-Drive/jamcorder/firmware/esp-idf/components/esptool_py/esptool/esptool.py", line 5475, in _main
    main()
  File "/Volumes/User/MBP-Google-Drive/jamcorder/firmware/esp-idf/components/esptool_py/esptool/esptool.py", line 4907, in main
    operation_func(esp, args)
  File "/Volumes/User/MBP-Google-Drive/jamcorder/firmware/esp-idf/components/esptool_py/esptool/esptool.py", line 4359, in read_flash
    data = esp.read_flash(args.address, args.size, flash_progress)
  File "/Volumes/User/MBP-Google-Drive/jamcorder/firmware/esp-idf/components/esptool_py/esptool/esptool.py", line 1058, in read_flash
    return self.read_flash_slow(offset, length, progress_fn)  # ROM-only routine
  File "/Volumes/User/MBP-Google-Drive/jamcorder/firmware/esp-idf/components/esptool_py/esptool/esptool.py", line 1805, in read_flash_slow
    r = self.check_command("read flash block", self.ESP_READ_FLASH_SLOW,
  File "/Volumes/User/MBP-Google-Drive/jamcorder/firmware/esp-idf/components/esptool_py/esptool/esptool.py", line 520, in check_command
    val, data = self.command(op, data, chk, timeout=timeout)
  File "/Volumes/User/MBP-Google-Drive/jamcorder/firmware/esp-idf/components/esptool_py/esptool/esptool.py", line 505, in command
    raise UnsupportedCommandError(self, op)
__main__.UnsupportedCommandError: This command (0xe) is not supported in Secure Download Mode
charlesweinberger@Chips-Macbook-Pro-2 jamcorder_app % git describe
fatal: No names found, cannot describe anything.

More Information

Accoording to the docs read_flash should work:

https://docs.espressif.com/projects/esp-idf/en/stable/esp32s3/security/flash-encryption.html#best-practices

Secure Download Mode permanently limits the available commands to basic flash read and write only.

I Have Read the Troubleshooting Guide

• I confirm I have read the troubleshooting guide.

[radimkarnis]

Hello @chipweinberger,
thank you for reporting this!

Reading flash is not supported in secure download mode.
I am sorry, but our documentation is wrong. It is being updated at the moment.

I hope this false information didn't cause any material damage (bricked chip) on your side.

[radimkarnis]

The fixes have been merged, the docs should update automatically today. Thanks again for the report!

[chipweinberger]

Glad I could help!