Session 13D: Software Security: Code and Compiler  Authors, Creators & Presenters: Chenke Luo (Wuhan University), Jiang Ming (Tulane University), Mengfei Xie (Wuhan University), Guojun Peng (Wuhan University), Jianming Fu (Wuhan University) PAPER Retrofitting XoM For Stripped Binaries Without Embedded Data Relocation System programs are frequently coded in memory-unsafe languages such as C/C++, rendering them susceptible to a variety of memory corruption attacks. Among these, just-in-time return-oriented programming (JIT-ROP) stands out as an advanced form of code-reuse attack designed to circumvent code randomization defenses. JIT-ROP leverages memory disclosure vulnerabilities to dynamically harvest reusable code gadgets and construct attack payloads in real-time. To counteract JIT-ROP threats, researchers have developed multiple execute-only memory (XoM) prototypes to prevent dynamic reading and disassembly of memory pages. XoM, akin to the widely deployed WoplusX protection, holds promise in enhancing security. However, existing XoM solutions may not be compatible with legacy and commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) programs, or they may require patching the protected binary to separate code and data areas, leading to poor reliability. In addition, some XoM methods have to modify the underlying architectural mechanism, compromising compatibility and performance. In this paper, we present PXoM, a practical technique to seamlessly retrofit XoM into stripped binaries on the x86-64 platform. As handling the mixture of code and data is a well-known challenge for XoM, most existing methods require the strict separation of code and data areas via either compile-time transformation or binary patching, so that the unreadable permission can be safely enforced at the granularity of memory pages. In contrast to previous approaches, we provide a fine-grained memory permission control mechanism to restrict the read permission of code while allowing legitimate data reads within code pages. This novelty enables PXoM to harden stripped binaries but without resorting to error-prone embedded data relocation. We leverage Intel's hardware feature, Memory Protection Keys, to offer an efficient fine-grained permission control. We measure PXoM's performance with both micro- and macro-benchmarks, and it only introduces negligible runtime overhead. Our security evaluation shows that PXoM leaves adversaries with little wiggle room to harvest all of the required gadgets, suggesting PXoM is practical for real-world deployment. ABOUT NDSS The Network and Distributed System Security Symposium (NDSS) fosters information exchange among researchers and practitioners of network and distributed system security. The target audience includes those interested in practical aspects of network and distributed system security, with a focus on actual system design and implementation. A major goal is to encourage and enable the Internet community to apply, deploy, and advance the state of available security technologies.  Our thanks to the Network and Distributed System Security (NDSS) Symposium for publishing their Creators, Authors and Presenter’s superb NDSS Symposium 2025 Conference content on the Organizations' YouTube Channel.  Permalink

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PXoM is a research technique presented at NDSS 2025 that retrofits execute-only memory (XoM) protection into stripped x86-64 binaries without requiring embedded data relocation. Unlike existing XoM solutions that demand strict code/data separation via compile-time transformation or binary patching, PXoM uses Intel Memory Protection Keys to provide fine-grained per-page read permission control. This allows legitimate data reads within code pages while blocking adversarial memory disclosure used in JIT-ROP attacks. Benchmarks show negligible runtime overhead, and security evaluation confirms it significantly limits gadget harvesting for code-reuse attacks.

NDSS 2025 – Retrofitting XoM For Stripped Binaries Without Embedded Data Relocation