Temporal Desynchronization via Pre-Constructed Dummy Instructions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for constructing dummy instructions for temporal desynchronization in secure functions are inefficient, making them easily discoverable by attackers and slowing down the construction process.
Innovation Solution
A microprocessor-based method that constructs dummy instructions using a sequence of opcodes stored in memory, with a random selector choosing invalid registers and generating operands based on internal registers, allowing for faster and more robust temporal desynchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dummy instructions are constructed by randomly drawing opcodes, then security robustness is improved, but construction time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-constructs multiple sequences of dummy instructions with different opcode patterns before the actual secure function execution. These pre-constructed sequences are stored in memory, allowing the system to quickly select and insert appropriate dummy instructions during execution without performing random drawing at runtime, thus resolving the contradiction between security robustness and construction time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically selects different dummy instruction sequences based on the actual execution context and timing requirements. By having multiple pre-constructed sequences with varying opcode patterns and dynamically choosing which to insert, the system maintains high security robustness while avoiding the time penalty of random construction during critical execution phases
2Reliability
If dummy instructions are inserted at randomly chosen times, then temporal desynchronization effectiveness is improved, but execution time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inserts dummy instructions at strategically selected points rather than uniformly throughout the secure function execution. By applying temporal desynchronization only at critical moments where it provides maximum effectiveness against side-channel attacks, the system achieves strong security protection while minimizing the overall increase in execution time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different dummy instruction insertion strategies to different segments of the secure function execution. Critical sections that are more vulnerable to attacks receive more frequent or longer dummy instruction sequences, while less critical sections receive fewer insertions, optimizing the balance between security effectiveness and execution time
Data Source
AI summary
A method for executing a function, secured by temporal desynchronization, includes when a first legitimate instruction is loaded, noting the opcode of this first legitimate instruction, then constructing a dummy instruction on the basis of this noted opcode, the dummy instruction thus constructed being identical to the first legitimate instruction except that its operands are different, then incorporating the dummy instruction thus constructed into a sequence of dummy instructions used to delay the time at which a second legitimate instruction is executed.