The Price of Secrecy: How Hiding Internal DRAM Topologies Hurts Rowhammer Defenses
Stefan Saroiu, Alec Wolman, Lucian Cojocar
Abstract
DRAM vendors today choose to keep the internal topologies of DRAM devices secret. This decision introduces significant practical challenges for designers of memory controllers who wish to provide their own forms of Rowhammer defenses. This paper describes three such challenges and the vulnerabilities, inefficiencies, and overhead they introduce. Defenses implemented at the memory controller could reduce (if not eliminate) these deficiencies should internal DRAM topology be made available.
Topics & Concepts
DramSecrecyNetwork topologyOverhead (engineering)Computer scienceMemory controllerTopology (electrical circuits)EngineeringComputer networkElectrical engineeringComputer securityComputer hardwareOperating systemSemiconductor memorySecurity and Verification in ComputingPhysical Unclonable Functions (PUFs) and Hardware SecurityCryptographic Implementations and Security