Protection Errors in Operating Systems: Inconsistency of a Single Data Value over Time
Abstract
This report describes a pattern-based approach for finding a general class of computer operating system errors characterized by the inconsistency of a data value between pairs of references. A formal description of the error class is given, both as a protection policy being enforced and as a violation of that policy, i.e., an error statement. A particular subclass of the general error class is then examined, i.e., those errors in which the data type is a parameter. A formal specification of a procedure for finding instances of the subclass is given with examples of errors found using the procedure. This work has been performed under Advanced Research Projects Agency Contract DAHC15 72 C 0308. It is part of a larger effort to provide securable operating systems in DOD environments.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1975
- Accession Number
- ADA020481
Entities
People
- Gerald Popek
- Jim Carlstedt
- Richard Bisbey Ii
Organizations
- University of Southern California