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LANGUAGE-BASED TECHNOLOGY FOR SECURITY
GIAN-LUIGI FERRARI
Academic year2020/21
CourseCYBERSECURITY
Code714AA
Credits9
PeriodSemester 2
LanguageEnglish

ModulesAreaTypeHoursTeacher(s)
LANGUAGE-BASED TECHNOLOGY FOR SECURITYINF/01LEZIONI72
GIAN-LUIGI FERRARI unimap
Obiettivi di apprendimento
Learning outcomes
Conoscenze

Traditionally, computer security has been largely enforced at the level of operating systems. However, operating-system security policies are low-level (such as access control policies, protecting particular files), while many attacks are high-level, or application-level (such as email worms that pass by access controls pretending to be executed on behalf of a mailer application). The key to defending against application-level attacks is application-level security. Because applications are typically specified and implemented in programming languages, this area is generally known as language-based security. A direct benefit of language-based security is the ability to naturally express security policies and enforcement mechanisms using the developed techniques of programming languages.

Knowledge

Traditionally, computer security has been largely enforced at the level of operating systems. However, operating-system security policies are low-level (such as access control policies, protecting particular files), while many attacks are high-level, or application-level (such as email worms that pass by access controls pretending to be executed on behalf of a mailer application). The key to defending against application-level attacks is application-level security. Because applications are typically specified and implemented in programming languages, this area is generally known as language-based security. A direct benefit of language-based security is the ability to naturally express security policies and enforcement mechanisms using the developed techniques of programming languages.

Modalità di verifica delle conoscenze

Ongoing assessment in the form of programming tests or discussion gruops between the lecturer and students will be carried out to monitor the learning progress of students.

Capacità

The aim of the course is to allow each student to develop a solid understanding of application level security, along with a more general familiarity with the range of research in the field. In-course discussion will highlight opportunities for cutting-edge research in each area.  The course intends to provide a variety of powerful tools for addressing software security issues
   • To obtain a deeper understanding of programming language-based concepts for computer security.
   • To understand the design and implementation of security mechanisms.
   • To understand and move inside the research in the area of programming languages and security. 

After the course, students should be able to apply practical knowledge of security for modern programming languages. This includes the ability to identify application- and language-level security threats, design and argue for application- and language-level security policies, and design and argue for the security, clarity, usability, and efficiency of solutions, as well as implement such solutions in expressive programming languages. Student should be able to demonstrate the critical knowledge of principles behind such application-level attacks as race conditions, buffer overruns, and code injections. You should be able to master the principles behind such language-based protection mechanisms as static security analysis, program transformation, and reference monitoring.

Skills

The aim of the course is to allow each student to develop a solid understanding of application level security, along with a more general familiarity with the range of research in the field. In-course discussion will highlight opportunities for cutting-edge research in each area.  The course intends to provide a variety of powerful tools for addressing software security issues
   • To obtain a deeper understanding of programming language-based concepts for computer security.
   • To understand the design and implementation of security mechanisms.
   • To understand and move inside the research in the area of programming languages and security. 

After the course, students should be able to apply practical knowledge of security for modern programming languages. This includes the ability to identify application- and language-level security threats, design and argue for application- and language-level security policies, and design and argue for the security, clarity, usability, and efficiency of solutions, as well as implement such solutions in expressive programming languages. Student should be able to demonstrate the critical knowledge of principles behind such application-level attacks as race conditions, buffer overruns, and code injections. You should be able to master the principles behind such language-based protection mechanisms as static security analysis, program transformation, and reference monitoring.

Modalità di verifica delle capacità

There are lab assignments.  The lab assignments are experimental activities about specific problems. To pass the course, students must pass the labs by making a presentation of the assignments in class and pass the requirements on a written report that documents the activities done.

Assessment criteria of skills

There are lab assignments.  The lab assignments are experimental activities about specific problems. To pass the course, students must pass the labs by making a presentation of the assignments in class and pass the requirements on a written report that documents the activities done.

Comportamenti

Students will acquire the techniques to detect and prevent vulnerabilies of software systems by exploiting a variety of programming language-based machineries.

Modalità di verifica dei comportamenti

The discusssion groups and the expermental activities (lab) will asses the echniques to prevent or detect security vulnerabilities. This will include include threat modeling, coding standards, code reviews, "safe" programming languages, LangSec (language-theoretic security), security testing, static analysis tools and source code analyzers, information flow analysis (incl. tainting), program verification, and secure compilation.

Prerequisiti (conoscenze iniziali)

Basic programming skills, incl. familiarity with C and Java.

Basic skills on principle of programming languages inclu compiler and run-time structure

Basic slkils on system organization (operating systems and networking)

Basic skills on cryptography.

Indicazioni metodologiche

Lectures and lab activities will focus on (addressing) the underlying causes and general techniques to improve the security of software.

Programma (contenuti dell'insegnamento)
  • Security in the Software Development Life Cycle
  • The science of software security
  • Memory-corruption flaws
  • Control Flow Integry & Software Fault Isolation
  • Safe Programming Languages
  • Access Control, Sand-Boxing and Stack Inspection
  • Inline-Reference Monitor (Theory & Sperimentation)
  • Function as a Service
  • Local Security Policies in Java
  • Information Flow and JS-Flow
  • Control Flow Analysis for Security
  • Secure Compilation
  • Lab and programming assignments.
Syllabus

 

Memory corruption flaws: buffer overflow, stack overflow, code injection 

Language-based Security: Java stack inspection and access control, certified compilation, typed assembler languace, code obfuscation

 

Language-based Security Lab 

 

Information flow security: integrity, confidentiality, hidden channels. Type-based information flow

 

Information flow security Lab: JSflow 

 

Security in Web Application 

 

Formal methods for Security: type systems and static analysis

 

Formal Method for security Lab

 

Bibliografia e materiale didattico

The reading material and exam material for the course includes the slides, academic research papers and notes. The reading material will be made available on the academic e-learning infrastructure.

Indicazioni per non frequentanti

The schedule and the contents of lectures and lab sessions will be made available on the e-learning academic infrastructure.

Modalità d'esame

The exam consits of 

◦Class participation (discussion groups): discuss topis ◦Project work: design and implementation.of asoftware prototyoe ◦Written exam (40%)
Updated: 16/02/2021 15:37