Stack Pointer Tracking for Real-Time Memory Corruption Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Buffer overrun and underrun errors commonly cause stack memory corruption, which are difficult to detect using existing techniques due to the context-dependent allocation of stack memory locations, leading to unpredictable and often undetected corruption.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that track changes to the stack pointer to determine the expected memory range of data elements, storing these ranges in a stack object database and comparing them to actual memory access characteristics during instructions, allowing for real-time detection of corruption by identifying if the accessed address falls within the expected range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If context-dependent allocation of stack memory locations is used, then flexibility and adaptability of memory management is improved, but detection capability of corruption errors deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing expected memory access patterns and ranges before actual memory operations occur. The corruption detection mechanism pre-defines valid stack memory boundaries and access characteristics, enabling subsequent real-time verification of whether actual memory operations conform to these pre-established expectations, thus resolving the detection difficulty while preserving allocation flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring actual memory access characteristics and comparing them against expected patterns. When a discrepancy is detected (indicating potential corruption), the system provides immediate feedback through error detection signals, enabling real-time identification of buffer overrun/underrun errors without constraining the underlying flexible memory allocation mechanism
2Reliability
If real-time detection of stack corruption is implemented, then reliability of memory operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs self-service by utilizing existing processor resources (such as instruction caches, execution pipelines, and existing comparison logic) to perform corruption detection. Rather than introducing entirely separate detection hardware, the mechanism leverages and repurposes components already present in the processing system, thereby enhancing reliability while minimizing the increase in device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The detection mechanism is designed with multi-functionality, using existing processor components to serve dual purposes: normal instruction execution and corruption detection. By making existing resources perform multiple functions, the system achieves reliable real-time detection without proportionally increasing overall device complexity
3Measurement precision
If tracking of stack pointer changes is performed, then measurement precision of memory access is improved, but loss of time for processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system ensures continuity of useful action by integrating stack pointer tracking into the normal flow of instruction execution without introducing discrete interrupt points or batch processing steps. The detection mechanism operates continuously alongside regular memory operations, maintaining measurement precision while minimizing time loss by avoiding repeated start-stop cycles or separate processing phases
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to some aspects relate to a method for detecting stack memory corruption. In some embodiments, the method comprises determining an expected memory range of a data element that is to be written to a stack memory by tracking changes to a stack pointer. The determined memory range is stored in a stack object database. Upon receiving a stack memory access related instruction (e.g., LOAD/STORE instruction or arithmetic instruction operating on memory addresses) to write data to the stack memory, an address of the memory location to be accessed is determined. If the address falls within the expected memory range, no stack corruption is present. However, if the address falls outside of the expected memory range, stack corruption is present. Therefore, the present method provides for real time detection of corruption (e.g., overrun and underrun errors) in stack memory.