Address masking between users
US8819348B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 12, 2006 |
| Grant date | Aug 26, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 3, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F12/1408
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Provided is a method for uniquely masking addressing to the cache memory for each user, thereby reducing risk of a timing attack by one user on another user. The method comprises assigning a first mask value to the first user and a second mask value to the second user. The mask values are unique to one another. While executing a first instruction on behalf of the first user, the method comprises applying the first mask value to set selection bits in a memory address accessed by the first instruction. While executing a second instruction on behalf of the second user, the method comprises applying the second mask value to set selection bits in the memory address accessed by the second instruction. The result offers an additional level of security between users as well as reducing the occurrence of threads or processes contending for the same memory address.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.