Binary Static Previrtualization: Phase II

Modular software development helps enable application developers to quickly write sophisticated applications. However, in most instances only a small fraction of the functionality included in a particular software component is needed. Not only is there a performance cost, but the prevalence of security vulnerabilities suggests that even unused functionality in binaries and shared libraries can be dangerous.We propose to build a new tool, called Reopt, that is capable of optimizing compiled binaries to a particular target platform. As part of this effort, Galois will develop a binary disassembler capable of generating LLVM bytecode from binary machine code. This will allow us to use LLVM-based optimizers to recompile the binary program. In addition, Galois will be working with SRI International as a subcontractor. SRI has developed a prototype tool, Occam, that optimizes binaries through aggressive inlining and partial evaluation. Also as part of this effort, Galois will be working with Zephyr Software on a tool to integrate portions of the original binary with the newly optimized code to create a new optimized binary.