QUALCOMM Incorporated
Dynamically generated code process sandboxing using authenticated pointers

Abstract:

A method is provided for safely executing dynamically generated code to avoid the possibility of an attack in unprotected memory space. Upon ascertaining that dynamically generated code is to be executed, a processing circuit and/or operating system kernel restrict the dynamically generated code to use a first memory region within an unprotected memory space, where the first memory region is distinct (e.g., reserved) from other memory regions used by other processes executed by the processing circuit. A first processing stack is maintained for the dynamically generated code within the first memory region. This first processing stack is separate from a general processing stack used by other processes executed by the processing circuit. A stack pointer is switched/pointed to the first processing stack when the dynamically generated code is executed and the stack pointer is switched/pointed to the general processing stack when the dynamically generated code ends.