View source for 18067825. MITIGATING POINTER AUTHENTICATION CODE (PAC) ATTACKS IN PROCESSOR-BASED DEVICES simplified abstract (QUALCOMM Incorporated)

=MITIGATING POINTER AUTHENTICATION CODE (PAC) ATTACKS IN PROCESSOR-BASED DEVICES=


==Organization Name==

[[:Category:QUALCOMM Incorporated|QUALCOMM Incorporated]]


[[Category:QUALCOMM Incorporated]]

==Inventor(s)==

[[:Category:Jamie David Iles of Queen Charlton (GB)|Jamie David Iles of Queen Charlton (GB)]][[Category:Jamie David Iles of Queen Charlton (GB)]]

[[:Category:Conrado Blasco of San Mateo CA (US)|Conrado Blasco of San Mateo CA (US)]][[Category:Conrado Blasco of San Mateo CA (US)]]

==MITIGATING POINTER AUTHENTICATION CODE (PAC) ATTACKS IN PROCESSOR-BASED DEVICES - A simplified explanation of the abstract==


This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18067825 titled 'MITIGATING POINTER AUTHENTICATION CODE (PAC) ATTACKS IN PROCESSOR-BASED DEVICES

==Simplified Explanation==

The patent application discloses a method for mitigating Pointer Authentication Code (PAC) attacks in processor-based devices by detecting and responding to speculatively executed pointer authentication instructions.

* Processor determines if a pointer authentication instruction is being executed speculatively.
* If so, processor checks the validity of the pointer based on its signature.
* If the pointer is deemed invalid, processor takes a mitigation action to prevent potential attacks.

== Potential Applications ==
* Cybersecurity in processor-based devices.
* Preventing unauthorized access to sensitive data.
* Enhancing the security of software systems.

== Problems Solved ==
* Mitigating PAC attacks in processor-based devices.
* Preventing exploitation of vulnerabilities in pointer authentication instructions.
* Enhancing overall system security against malicious attacks.

== Benefits ==
* Improved security measures against PAC attacks.
* Enhanced protection of sensitive data.
* Increased trust in the security of processor-based devices.


==Original Abstract Submitted==

Mitigating Pointer Authentication Code (PAC) attacks in processor-based devices is disclosed herein. In this regard, in some exemplary aspects, a processor of a processor-based device is configured to determine that a pointer authentication instruction to authenticate a pointer is being executed speculatively. The processor is further configured to, responsive to determining that the pointer authentication instruction is being executed speculatively, determine, based on a signature of the pointer, that the pointer is not valid. The processor is also configured to, responsive to determining that the pointer is not valid, perform a mitigation action.



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