Hypervisor Memory Lock-Down for VM Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current virtual machine memory management systems lack effective mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access to secure data stored in memory ranges, particularly vulnerable to malicious actors within guest virtual machines.
Innovation Solution
A hypervisor-based method that locks down memory ranges by disabling access, detecting and responding to prohibited access attempts by stopping the guest virtual machine and subsequently rebooting it to re-enable access, thereby ensuring secure data protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If memory ranges are locked down to prevent unauthorized access, then data security is improved, but system complexity increases due to access control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a hypervisor as an intermediary layer between the guest virtual machine and the physical memory. The hypervisor implements memory locking by intercepting memory access requests and checking against locked memory ranges, thereby preventing direct access to protected memory without requiring complex modifications to the guest OS or hardware memory management units.
2Reliability
If access to memory ranges is disabled for security, then unauthorized access is prevented, but legitimate access requirements are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic memory locking where the hypervisor can lock and unlock memory ranges based on runtime conditions. Memory access control is not static but adapts to the current state of the virtual machine and security requirements. The hypervisor dynamically adjusts memory accessibility by modifying page table entries or memory management structures in response to security events or operational needs.
3Reliability
If the guest virtual machine is stopped upon detecting prohibited access, then security response is improved, but system productivity deteriorates due to VM interruption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a security stop mechanism where the hypervisor detects prohibited memory access attempts and immediately halts the guest virtual machine's execution. This rapid interruption prevents further security violations by stopping the malicious process before it can complete harmful operations. The VM is then restarted after the security threat is addressed, ensuring that security responses are swift and effective.
Data Source
AI summary
A hypervisor receives, from a guest virtual machine, a request to disable access to a memory range. The hypervisor disables access to the memory range. The hypervisor detects a prohibited access attempt. The prohibited access attempt is an access attempt to the memory range. Responsive to detecting the prohibited access attempt, the hypervisor stops the guest virtual machine. The hypervisor receives a request to reboot the guest virtual machine. The hypervisor reboots the guest virtual machine. Responsive to rebooting the guest virtual machine, the hypervisor enables access to the memory range.