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yes, but ken thompsons evil compiler theory states, that a trusted compiler is technically impossible (in the paranoid world of theoretical security where all c
by stefs 8y ago
yes, but ken thompsons evil compiler theory states, that a trusted compiler is technically impossible (in the paranoid world of theoretical security where all compiler binaries are possibly tainted already) except if you write your own bootstrap compiler chain in machine code. still, all other running software (OS/drivers/the intel management engine) might be able to modify the binary in memory on the fly. the rabbit hole goes down to the hardware level.
- emilfihlman 8y agoIt doesn't even stop at hardware exactly (mcu/cpu), it only stops when you assemble the mcu/cpu yourself.
- antsar 8y agoWhat if one of your transistors has a tiny logic board inside?
- TheArcane 8y agoLogic boards can't be smaller than a modern transistor. Logic boards contain transistors.
- antsar 8y ago"modern transistors" are available in differently-sized packages. I assumed someone building their own CPU would be using larger transistors than those normally used inside a production CPU. You sure one of these[0] couldn't contain a tiny processor inside? [0] https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41bBdtuYF0L._SX342_.jpg https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41bBdtuYF0L...
- emilfihlman 8y agoIn theory yeah that's possible. But given that you'd have to cram quite a lot of logic inside to analyse and influence all custom systems when all you are given is a single line that's just a single line in a huge system.