[SC-L] As-if Infinitely Ranged Integer Model

[Robert Seacord]

The Secure Coding Initiative at CERT has published a new Technical Note CMU/SEI-2009-TN-023 entitled "As-if Infinitely Ranged Integer Model". 

Abstract:

Integer overflow and wraparound are major causes of software vulnerabilities in the C and C++ programming languages. In this paper we present the as-if infinitely ranged (AIR) integer model, which provides a largely automated mechanism for eliminating integer overflow and integer truncation. The AIR integer model either produces a value equivalent to one that would have been obtained using infinitely ranged integers or results in a runtime constraint violation.  Unlike previous integer models, AIR integers do not require precise traps, and consequently do not break or inhibit most existing optimizations.

Authors:

David Keaton (self)
Thomas Plum (Plum Hall Inc.)
Robert C. Seacord (SEI/CERT)
David Svoboda (SEI/CERT)
Alex Volkovitsky (SEI/CERT)
Timothy Wilson (SEI/CERT)

A PDF Download of this paper is available at: http://www.sei.cmu.edu/publications/documents/09.reports/09tn023.html 

I would be interested in hearing your opinions on this work, either publically or privately.

We are planning on continuing this project, as described by the report.

Thanks,
rCs


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Robert C. Seacord
Secure Coding Team Lead
CERT / Software Engineering Institute
Work: +1 412.268.7608
FAX:    +1 412.268.6989