# VFS495 fingerprint reader on Linux: reconstructing capture and login

> VFS495 fingerprint reader on Linux reconstructs capture and login support for the Validity USB 138a:003f sensor. It documents USB and secure-session behavior, descrambles captured images, and bridges the vendor-driven capture path to libfprint virtual_image, fprintd and PAM.

- Type: Case study
- Targets: Binary · Protocol
- Category: Independent reconstruction cases
- Relationship: Independent reconstruction project
- Sources reviewed: 2026-11-06
- Added to the catalog: 2026-11-08
- Original resource: <https://github.com/saifulmd0/vfs495-linux>
- Primary source: <https://github.com/saifulmd0/vfs495-linux/blob/18a2f4d3e372d0e545068e59063f4b395aee964b/README.md>
- Catalog page: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/vfs495-linux-case/>
- Record JSON: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/vfs495-linux-case/record.json>
- Chinese version: [简体中文](https://awesomerea.org/zh/resources/vfs495-linux-case/index.md)

## Requirements & limits

- **Prerequisites:** A VFS495 USB 138a:003f reader and HP's separately obtained proprietary Linux driver are required.
- **Limits:** The working capture path runs the vendor binary under gdb as root; the native libfprint driver remains unfinished.
- **Testing evidence:** The author reports end-to-end login on an HP EliteBook running Debian 13.
- **License:** MIT license.

## Primary sources

1. <https://github.com/saifulmd0/vfs495-linux/blob/18a2f4d3e372d0e545068e59063f4b395aee964b/README.md>
2. <https://github.com/saifulmd0/vfs495-linux/blob/18a2f4d3e372d0e545068e59063f4b395aee964b/docs/SSL_PROTOCOL.md>
3. <https://github.com/saifulmd0/vfs495-linux/blob/18a2f4d3e372d0e545068e59063f4b395aee964b/driver/README.md>
4. <https://github.com/saifulmd0/vfs495-linux/blob/18a2f4d3e372d0e545068e59063f4b395aee964b/LICENSE>

## More in Protocols

- [VTech VM901: reconstructing camera authentication and media access](https://awesomerea.org/resources/vtech-vm901-home-assistant-case/index.md) · Case study
- [KATASYMBOL E12 Lab: reconstructing BLE label printing](https://awesomerea.org/resources/katasymbol-e12-lab-case/index.md) · Case study
- [GE Opal 2: ice maker hardware and I2C interface research](https://awesomerea.org/resources/ge-opal-2-research-case/index.md) · Case study
- [magicJack HOME: a Linux phone system from USB and SIP protocol research](https://awesomerea.org/resources/magicjack-home-linux-phone-case/index.md) · Case study
- [PyKS2: reconstructing the Pentax K-S2 Wi-Fi API](https://awesomerea.org/resources/pyks2-case/index.md) · Case study
- [ESPHome — Maytronics Air Cover BLE: reconstructing pool-cover control](https://awesomerea.org/resources/maytronics-aircover-esphome-case/index.md) · Case study

## About this entry

The description was reviewed against primary sources.
Original editorial content: MIT. Linked projects, papers and assets retain their own rights and licenses.