Consistent speculation of pointer authentication
US12361119B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 15, 2023 |
| Grant date | Jul 15, 2025 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 26, 2043 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2207/7219
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
In an embodiment, a processor includes hardware circuitry which may be used to authenticate instruction operands. The processor may execute instructions that perform operand authentication both speculatively and non-speculatively. During speculative execution of such instructions, the processor may execute authentication such that no differences in observable state of the processor, relative to authentication result, are detectable via a side channel. During speculative execution, a result of authentication may be deferred until speculative execution of the instruction, and additional instructions, may be completed. Upon resolution of a condition that indicates acceptance of the speculative execution, a speculative execution result may cause a processor exception and stalling of execution at the instruction to be performed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.