Cape: compiler-aided program transformation for HTM-based cache side-channel defense

Rui Zhang, Michael D. Bond, Yinqian Zhang
2022 Proceedings of the 31st ACM SIGPLAN International Conference on Compiler Construction  
Cache side-channel attacks pose real threats to computer system security. Prior work called Cloak leverages commodity hardware transactional memory (HTM) to protect sensitive data and code from cache side-channel attacks. However, Cloak requires tedious and error-prone manual modifications to vulnerable software by programmers. This paper presents Cape, a compiler analysis and transformation that soundly and automatically protects programs from cache side-channel attacks using Cloak's defense.
more » ... n evaluation shows that Cape provides protection that is as strong as Cloak's, while performing competitively with Cloak. CCS Concepts: • Security and privacy → Systems security; • Software and its engineering → Compilers.
doi:10.1145/3497776.3517778 fatcat:emrlfxgmvfcwriyn5vo6e4m7y4