Inception: An Extendable Virtual Execution Framework to Support Dynamic Code Analysis of Embedded Systems

In this proposed effort, we propose to develop an extendible virtual execution framework to support dynamic code analysis of embedded systems. The key innovation of this proposal includes developments of: (1) an extendible virtual processor module which can integrates heterogeneous Multiprocessor System on Chip (MPSOC) with different ISA (ARM, PowerPC, etc) and memory architecture; (2) an extendible virtual device module which can integrates various virtual peripheral devices with the virtual processor module to generate a complete virtual execution environment for different embedded systems; (3) an extendible Dynamic Code Analysis (DCA) plugin module which can integrate different DCA techniques through plugin modules into the QEMU systems to intercept and analyze runtime software information. The extendible virtual execution framework can efficiently integrate multiple virtual processors and devices into a virtual runtime system. Finally, all the proposed techniques will be integrated in a functional prototype to demonstrate the feasibility. Approved for Public Release | 20-MDA-10398 (2 Mar 20)