Java Heap Object Reference Validation via Load Instruction Checks
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Solution Overview
Problem
The Java heap is vulnerable to corruption due to incorrect or invalid object references, leading to issues like segmentation faults, data integrity problems, and security exposures, as it is not adequately protected from external access for performance reasons.
Innovation Solution
A computer system and method that determines whether an object reference fetched by a load instruction has an expected value for heap protection, generating an event to manage the reference and preventing the loading of invalid references, utilizing heap protection and garbage collection control information to ensure valid memory locations are accessed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If heap protection is not implemented, then execution performance is improved, but memory corruption and security vulnerabilities occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary validation of object references by inserting verification code that checks whether references point to valid heap locations before they are used. This preventive approach detects invalid references early in the execution flow, preventing memory corruption while maintaining performance through efficient check mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary validation layer between the object reference and the heap memory. This intermediary mechanism verifies reference validity without requiring full heap protection infrastructure, thus maintaining execution performance while ensuring memory integrity through selective validation points.
2Reliability
If heap protection checks are performed on all object references, then memory integrity is improved, but execution overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies heap protection checks selectively rather than uniformly across all object references. Validation is concentrated at critical points where memory corruption would have the most severe impact, such as before array accesses, field operations, and garbage collection activities. This localized approach maintains memory integrity while minimizing execution overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements partial validation by checking only a subset of object references that are most susceptible to corruption or pose the greatest security risk. Rather than validating every single reference, the system performs targeted checks on references obtained from external sources, native code interactions, and previously identified vulnerable operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate mechanisms are used for heap protection and garbage collection, then functionality is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines heap protection and garbage collection functionality into a unified reference validation mechanism. The same infrastructure that tracks object lifecycles for garbage collection also performs heap protection checks, eliminating the need for separate validation systems. This multi-functional approach reduces system complexity while maintaining both garbage collection and memory protection capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the heap protection validation logic with the existing garbage collection infrastructure. By integrating reference validation into the garbage collection framework, the system achieves both functionalities through a single coherent mechanism, reducing architectural complexity while preserving the adaptability needed for both protection and collection operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer implemented method handles object references. A computer system determines whether an object reference fetched by a load instruction has an expected value for heap protection for a heap in response to receiving the load instruction for execution. The computer system generates an event in response to the object reference not being the expected value, wherein the event is used to manage the object reference. According to other illustrative embodiments, a computer system and a computer program product for managing object references are provided. As a result, the illustrative embodiments can prevent a load instruction from loading an invalid object reference that does not point to a memory location in a heap.