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Katana: A Hot Patching Framework for ELF Executables

Ramaswamy, A., Bratus, S., Smith, S. W., Locasto, M.
Citation:

International Conference on Availability, Reliability and Security (ARES), Workshop on Secure Software Engineering (SECSE), pp.507,512, 15-18 Feb. 2010.

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Abstract:

Despite advances in software modularity, security, and reliability,offline patching remains the predominant form of updating or protecting commodity software. Unfortunately, the mechanics of hot patching (the process of upgrading a program while it executes) remain understudied, even though such a capability offers practical benefits for both consumer and mission-critical systems. A reliable hot patching procedure would serve particularly well by reducing the downtime necessary for critical functionality or security upgrades. Yet, hot patching also carries the risk -- real or perceived -- of leaving the system in an inconsistent state, which leads many owners to forego its benefits as too risky. In this paper, we propose a novel method for hot patching ELF binaries that supports (a) synchronized global data and code updates and (b)reasoning about the results of applying the hot patch. We propose a format, which we call a Patch Object, for encoding patches as a special type of ELF relocatable object file. Our tool, Katana, automatically creates these patch objects as a by-product of the standard source build process. Katana also allows an end-user to apply the Patch Objects to a running process. In essence, our method can be viewed as an extension of the Application Binary Interface (ABI), and we argue for its inclusion in future ABI standards.

Publication Status:
Published
Publication Type:
Proceedings
Publication Date:
02/15/2010
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