Secure and Scalable Systems Software: Verification of Safety and Security Properties of Assembly Code and Extension of Popcorn Linus Subsystems

Abstract

Abstract Proposal title: Secure and Scalable Systems Software: Verification of Safety and Security Properties of Assembly Code, OS Driver Randomization, and Extension of Popcorn Linux Subsystems BAA Number: N00174-19-0001 Topic Number: DD-01: Explore emerging software developments related to software scrambling in the areas of security, accuracy, or verification Technical POC: Mr. Chris Hodge, NSWC Dahlgren, Phone: 540-653-0415, E-mail: richard.hodge@navy.mil The project goals include: (a) developing a verification methodology that verifies the functional equivalency of scrambled code – code that is randomized for security hardening purposes — and its non-scrambled version; (b) developing a verification methodology that verifies security properties of assembly code including memory corruption attacks and code reuse attacks (e.g., memory preservation, return address integrity); (c) developing techniques for automatically transforming Linux device drivers and kernel code for a position-independent code model that enables their continuous re-randomization; and (d) developing extensions and optimizations of the Popcorn Linux infrastructure including CPU/GPU subsystems and process migration subsystems. Additional goals include training and mentoring students including undergraduate students and graduate students in the proposed research and in the underlying computer science and engineering sub-disciplines including verification, operating systems, hypervisors, computer architecture, concurrency, compilers, and run-time/middleware systems. The abstract is publically releasable.

Document Details

Document Type
DoD Grant Award
Publication Date
Mar 13, 2025
Source ID
N001742010009

Entities

People

  • Binoy Ravindran

Organizations

  • United States Navy
  • Virginia Tech

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Computer science
  • Engineering

Readers

  • Cybersecurity.
  • Parallel and Distributed Computing.
  • Research Science/Academic Research