Layout Randomization and Nondeterminism

Martín Abadi, Jérémy Planul, Gordon D. Plotkin

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

In security, layout randomization is a popular, effective attack mitigation technique. Recent work has aimed to explain it rigorously, focusing on deterministic systems. In this paper, we study layout randomization in the presence of nondeterministic choice. We develop a semantic approach based on denotational models and the induced notions of contextual public observation, characterized by simulation relations. This approach abstracts from language details, and helps manage the delicate interaction between nondeterminism and probability. In particular, memory access probabilities are not independent, but rather depend on a fixed probability distribution over memory layouts; we therefore model probability using random variables rather than any notion of probabilistic powerdomain.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationHorizons of the Mind. A Tribute to Prakash Panangaden
Subtitle of host publicationEssays Dedicated to Prakash Panangaden on the Occasion of His 60th Birthday
EditorsFranck van Breugel, Elham Kashefi, Catuscia Palamidessi, Jan Rutten
PublisherSpringer
Pages1-39
Number of pages39
ISBN (Electronic)978-3-319-06880-0
ISBN (Print)978-3-319-06879-4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2014

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Computer Science
PublisherSpringer International Publishing
Volume8464
ISSN (Print)0302-9743
ISSN (Electronic)1611-3349

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Layout Randomization and Nondeterminism'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this