Processor Instruction Rule Control for Secure ISA Execution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems lack effective mechanisms to control and manage unauthorized use of processor-specific instruction sets and features, leading to security vulnerabilities and inconsistent software behavior across different processor microarchitectures.
Innovation Solution
Implementing Secure ISA Execution, Emulation, Monitoring, and Prevention (SIEEMP) through firmware and microcode emulation, using registers to store rules that dictate how instructions are handled, allowing for secure execution, emulation, or prevention, and enabling support for new instruction sets on older processors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a processor supports multiple instruction sets across different microarchitectures, then software compatibility and versatility are improved, but security control and instruction set management become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments instruction set support by introducing separate control mechanisms for different instruction sets. Each instruction set can be independently enabled or disabled through specific control bits in status registers, allowing the processor to selectively support only authorized instruction sets while maintaining the capability to handle multiple instruction set types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary control layer consisting of status registers and control bits that mediate between the processor core and instruction set execution. This intermediary structure enables centralized security policy enforcement by the operating system or firmware, allowing dynamic control over which instruction sets are accessible without modifying the underlying processor architecture.
2Speed
If processor-specific instruction sets are enabled for performance optimization, then execution speed is improved, but unauthorized access and security vulnerabilities increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary anti-action by establishing security controls and authorization checks before instruction set execution is permitted. The operating system or firmware sets control bits in status registers in advance to enable or disable specific instruction sets based on security policies, preventing unauthorized access before it can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes instruction set availability dynamic rather than static. Instruction sets can be enabled or disabled at runtime through software control, allowing the system to adapt security settings based on the current execution context, user permissions, and security requirements, thereby optimizing performance while maintaining security.
3Adaptability or versatility
If new instruction sets are added to older processors for feature parity, then software consistency is improved, but device complexity and security management become harder
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a form of copying by allowing older processors to emulate or simulate the behavior of newer instruction sets through software interpretation. Instead of physically adding new hardware instruction set support, the system copies the functional behavior through software layers, maintaining software consistency across different processor generations without increasing hardware complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the processor universally compatible with multiple instruction set versions through a single unified control mechanism. The same status register control bits manage both native and emulated instruction sets, allowing one processor to serve multiple functions and support various software environments without requiring separate configuration systems for each instruction set type.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and method for secure instruction set execution, emulation, monitoring, and prevention. A processor embodiment includes registers, evaluator, and execution unit. The registers are to store rules which specify actions to be taken with respect to one or more instructions. The evaluator is to detect a request to execute a first instruction and to evaluate the first instruction based on the rules stored in the one or more registers. The evaluator is further to block execution of the first instruction when a first rule corresponding to the first instruction specifies that execution of the first instruction is prohibited, and to allow execution of the first instruction when there is no rule in the one or more registers specifying that the execution of the first instruction is prohibited. The execution unit is to execute the first instruction when the evaluator allows execution of the first instruction.