Short answer

Security measures in C++ software must account for the specific mechanisms of object-oriented programming, such as virtual function calls, to prevent sophisticated code reuse attacks.

Field: Commercial Production
Source: Academic Publication (2015)
Method: Empirical analysis and exploit development
Evidence: Strong effect

Existing security defenses for C++ applications are vulnerable to code reuse attacks that exploit object-oriented features, allowing attackers to execute malicious code by chaining legitimate virtual function calls. This commercial production research insight is drawn from a 2015 study published in Academic Publication. Using Empirical analysis and exploit development, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Security measures in C++ software must account for the specific mechanisms of object-oriented programming, such as virtual function calls, to prevent sophisticated code reuse attacks.

Study

Commercial ProductionHigh ImpactStrong effect

Counterfeit Object-Oriented Programming (COOP) Bypasses C++ Security Defenses

Academic Publication · 2015

Key Findings

01Many existing defenses against code reuse attacks do not adequately consider C++ object-oriented semantics and can be bypassed.
02Counterfeit Object-Oriented Programming (COOP) is a novel attack technique that uses existing C++ virtual function calls to achieve malicious program execution.
03COOP is Turing complete in realistic scenarios and has been successfully used to exploit real-world applications like Internet Explorer 10 and Firefox 36.
04Even defenses specifically designed for C++ are vulnerable to COOP.
05Developing defenses against COOP that do not require source code access is challenging.

Application

Design takeaway

Security measures in C++ software must account for the specific mechanisms of object-oriented programming, such as virtual function calls, to prevent sophisticated code reuse attacks.

How to apply

When designing or reviewing security protocols for C++ software, consider how object-oriented features could be leveraged by attackers and ensure defenses are specifically tailored to mitigate these risks.

Project actions

01When researching security vulnerabilities, consider how the specific features of a programming language might be exploited.
02Investigate existing security measures and critically evaluate their effectiveness against novel attack vectors.

Method & Evidence

AimTo systematically assess the effectiveness of current defenses against code reuse attacks in C++ and to demonstrate a novel attack technique, Counterfeit Object-Oriented Programming (COOP), that bypasses these defenses.

MethodEmpirical analysis and exploit development

ProcedureThe researchers analyzed existing control-flow integrity (CFI) solutions and other defenses against code reuse attacks. They then developed a new attack technique, COOP, which leverages C++ virtual functions and call sites to induce malicious behavior. The viability of COOP was demonstrated through the creation of real-world exploits for specific software versions.

ContextSoftware security, C++ applications, memory corruption vulnerabilities

Variables

IV["Type of security defense implemented (e.g., CFI, specific C++ defenses)","Presence or absence of COOP attack techniques"]

DV["Success rate of code reuse attacks","Ability of defenses to detect or prevent attacks","Performance overhead of defenses"]

CV["C++ compiler version","Operating system","Target application architecture","Specific C++ features utilized (e.g., inheritance, polymorphism)"]

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Introduces a novel and practical attack technique (COOP).
+Provides empirical evidence of bypasses against multiple, recent defenses.
+Demonstrates exploits on real-world software.

Limitations

Replicating sophisticated exploits like COOP requires significant expertise in reverse engineering, exploit development, and a deep understanding of C++ internals, which may be beyond the scope of many design projects.

Reliability & validity

The study's validity is supported by the successful demonstration of exploits on real-world software. Reliability is enhanced by the systematic assessment of multiple defenses and the development of a generic attack technique applicable to various scenarios.

Think critically

Given the difficulty in creating defenses against COOP without source code, what are the long-term implications for the security of widely deployed C++ software, and what alternative approaches to security might be necessary?

Design Principles

"Security defenses should be designed to be robust against exploitation of language-specific features, particularly those that enable dynamic behavior like virtual function dispatch."

This research highlights a critical vulnerability in the security of C++ software, particularly impacting applications that rely on object-oriented programming. The ease with which these attacks can be mounted, even against advanced defenses, necessitates a re-evaluation of current security strategies in software development.

What This Means for Your Design

Hackers can trick C++ programs into running bad code by using the program's own built-in functions in a clever way, and many security tools don't catch this.

How to use in your project

1.This research can be used to justify the need for robust security testing in a design project, especially if the project involves C++ or similar object-oriented languages.
2.It can inform the selection or design of security features for a product, highlighting potential weaknesses to address.

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Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

The research by Schuster et al. (2015) demonstrates the significant challenge of securing C++ applications against code reuse attacks, particularly through the novel Counterfeit Object-Oriented Programming (COOP) technique. COOP exploits the inherent nature of C++'s object-oriented features, such as virtual function calls, to bypass existing security defenses. This highlights a critical need for security solutions that are not only generic but also deeply aware of the specific semantic properties of the programming languages they aim to protect, suggesting that future security designs must move beyond superficial checks to address the underlying mechanisms of exploitation.

Source

Academic Publication

Counterfeit Object-oriented Programming: On the Difficulty of Preventing Code Reuse Attacks in C++ Applications

journal · 2015

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about counterfeit object-oriented programming (coop) bypasses c++ security defenses?: Security measures in C++ software must account for the specific mechanisms of object-oriented programming, such as virtual function calls, to prevent sophisticated code reuse attacks. Evidence: Academic Publication (2015).
Why does "Counterfeit Object-Oriented Programming (COOP) Bypasses C++ Security Defenses" matter for design?: This research highlights a critical vulnerability in the security of C++ software, particularly impacting applications that rely on object-oriented programming. The ease with which these attacks can be mounted, even against advanced defenses, necessitates a re-evaluation of current security strategies in software development.
How can designers apply this research?: Security measures in C++ software must account for the specific mechanisms of object-oriented programming, such as virtual function calls, to prevent sophisticated code reuse attacks.
What were the main findings?: Many existing defenses against code reuse attacks do not adequately consider C++ object-oriented semantics and can be bypassed.. Counterfeit Object-Oriented Programming (COOP) is a novel attack technique that uses existing C++ virtual function calls to achieve malicious program execution.. COOP is Turing complete in realistic scenarios and has been successfully used to exploit real-world applications like Internet Explorer 10 and Firefox 36.. Even defenses specifically designed for C++ are vulnerable to COOP.
What research method was used?: Empirical analysis and exploit development.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2015 journal from Academic Publication.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing or reviewing security protocols for C++ software, consider how object-oriented features could be leveraged by attackers and ensure defenses are specifically tailored to mitigate these risks.
What are the limitations?: The research focuses on specific versions of operating systems and browsers, and the effectiveness of COOP might vary across different C++ compilers, versions, and runtime environments.