Machine Code Snippet Migration for ROP Defense
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current computing systems face challenges in providing robust security against Return-Oriented-Programming (ROP) attacks without significant performance degradation, as existing methods often require recompilation and are not effective in maintaining code correctness and interconnections during machine code snippet migrations.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of selective migration of machine code snippets, which allows for the severing and relocation of machine code without recompilation, maintaining correct interconnections through updated entry points and metadata, creating a formidable moving target defense while preserving code correctness and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If machine code snippets are migrated to defend against ROP attacks, then security is improved, but code correctness and interconnections may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides machine code into separable snippets that can be independently migrated. Code snippets are identified as discrete units with clear entry and exit points, allowing selective migration without affecting the entire program. This segmentation enables security hardening while maintaining code correctness through precise control over what is moved and how connections are preserved.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary mechanisms including metadata structures and connection tracking systems that mediate between original code locations and migrated snippets. These intermediaries maintain the semantic relationships and interconnections between code snippets, ensuring that security migration does not break code correctness or program logic.
2Reliability
If frequent code migration is performed to enhance security, then security defense capability is improved, but performance degradation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic migration strategies where code snippets are migrated at scheduled intervals (hourly, daily, or on-demand) rather than continuously. This periodic approach maintains security defense capability by regularly changing the code landscape against ROP attacks, while controlling performance overhead by avoiding unnecessary migration operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allows dynamic adjustment of migration frequency and scope as parameters. System administrators can configure migration intervals, select specific code snippets for migration, and adjust migration aggressiveness based on security requirements and performance constraints, optimizing the balance between security and productivity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If code snippets are severed and relocated without recompilation, then migration flexibility is improved, but maintaining correct interconnections becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary analysis and preparation before code snippet migration. Entry points, exit points, and connection relationships are identified and recorded in advance. Metadata about code snippets and their relationships is prepared beforehand, enabling flexible migration while simplifying the maintenance of interconnections through pre-computed information.
Data Source
AI summary
First and second neighboring bit sequences containing machine language are determined to be (latently) separable. Such determination may be partly based on suitability for separation and partly based on environmental readiness, for example. If separability is determined, any of several response protocols may ensue. For example one or both of the bit sequences may be moved, modified, or trapped as part of a moving target defense.