Binary Code Patch Extraction for Independent Fuzz Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Detecting vulnerabilities or bugs in embedded devices without access to their source code is challenging, particularly for Internet of Things (IoT) devices, as existing testing methods are resource-intensive, time-consuming, and often require access to hardware components that may not be available during testing.
Innovation Solution
Perform static analysis to identify code patches of interest within binary code, extract these patches for independent fuzz testing, and generate emulations to test them separately, allowing for efficient detection of vulnerabilities without relying on full emulation or hardware access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If full emulation or hardware access is used for testing embedded code, then testing coverage and accuracy are improved, but resource consumption and time requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the binary code into smaller code patches based on data flow analysis and control flow graphs. Instead of testing the entire binary code or requiring full hardware emulation, the system identifies and extracts specific code patches that can be tested independently. This segmentation enables focused testing of vulnerable sections without the overhead of complete system emulation, thereby reducing testing time while maintaining effective coverage of critical paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts code patches from the binary code for independent testing. By identifying data flow paths and control flow structures, the system pulls out specific code sections that can be tested in isolation using fuzz testing techniques. This extraction eliminates the need for full hardware access or complete binary emulation, significantly reducing resource consumption and testing time while still achieving comprehensive vulnerability detection.
2Measurement precision
If source code access is required for testing, then code analysis precision is improved, but applicability to commercial devices deteriorates due to proprietary restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses binary code as an intermediary representation between the unavailable source code and the testing process. By performing static analysis directly on the binary code to reconstruct control flow graphs and data flow paths, the system achieves sufficient code analysis precision without needing access to the original source code. This intermediary approach enables the testing methodology to be applied to commercial devices with proprietary firmware while maintaining the ability to identify vulnerable code paths.
3Reliability
If comprehensive code testing is performed on entire binary code, then vulnerability detection capability is improved, but computational resources and testing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by focusing testing resources on specific code patches identified as potentially vulnerable through static analysis. Instead of uniformly testing the entire binary code, the system analyzes data flow and control flow to identify critical sections, then applies fuzz testing only to those localized areas. This approach maintains high vulnerability detection capability while significantly reducing computational resources and testing system complexity compared to comprehensive testing.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, system and product comprising determining a characterization of a terminal within a binary code based on influences of the terminal, the characterization of the terminal indicates a role of the terminal in the binary code; based on the characterization of the terminal, determining that the terminal is potentially affected by external input to a device executing the binary code; determining for the terminal a corresponding propagation path within the binary code indicating a terminal reachability within the binary code; locating in the binary code a code patch associated with a functionality of the binary code, the code patch is associated with the propagation path of the terminal, the code patch can be executed independently from the binary code; extracting the code patch from the binary code for testing; generating an emulation of the code patch to enable fuzz testing of the emulation, the code patch is tested independently.