Overview

Instructor Trent Jaeger (tjaeger 'at' cse.psu.edu)
Location 109 Walker
Meeting Times T-TH 4:15pm-5:30pm
Credits 3
Office Hours Prof. Jaeger: 2-3 W and by appointment

Overview

In this course, we study research in computer and operating systems (host) security. The main focus of this course is the design of authorization systems and their application to host security. The course aims to provide foundations of authorization systems, approaches for designing effective systems, and tools and techniques for detecting problems in conventional systems and repairing such problems.

Topics will include protection systems, basic security principles, seminal security in Multics, vulnerabilities in ordinary systems, mandatory access control, security kernels, commercial MAC systems, secure capability systems, virtual machine systems, assurance, research in system integrity, dencentralized information flow, and distributed systems security. We will work from my book on operating systems security, and augment the text with research papers, some classical and some recent. There will also be three to four programming projects to explore the technological issues in the context of the Linux operating system (some involving kernel programming).

A detailed list of a lecture by lecture contents, assignments, and due dates (subject to change as semester evolves) is available on the course schedule.

Grading

The course will be graded on programming projects, exams, occasional quizzes, and class participation in the following proportions:

35% Programming Project and Course Project
25% Midterm Exam
30% Final Exam
10% Class Participation

Projects

This course will have one kernel programming project and a course research project. The first project aims to give you some hands-on experience with mandatory access control in Linux (e.g., Linux Security Modules). These projects aim to give you a familiarity with the current practice of security operating systems. I will provide a VM and detailed instructions for the task. In addition, there will be a course project in the area of operating systems or program security. We will determine whether these will be done in pairs or individually after the course begins.

Grades will be based on the factors specific to each project.

Exams

This course will have midterm and final exams. The midterm will cover core background in systems security, including the book and related papers. This midterm will be a take-home midterm. The final exam will be comprehensive, and will be given in class.

Class Participation

Class participation focuses on the readings assigned for the class. During the lecture, we will discuss the readings, and students are required to participate in discussions during each lecture. It is strongly suggested that students do the reading prior to this class. Ultimately, the students' ability to exhibit comprehension of readings is essential to a good grade. Occasionally, there may be a quiz given related to the readings.

Lateness Policy

All milestones are assesed a 20% per-day late penalty, up to a maximum of 4 days. Unless the problem is apocalyptic, don't give me excuses. Students with legitmate reasons who contact the professor before the deadline may apply for an extension.

Required Texts

Most of the course readings will come from the following required textbook:

However, we will also read some research papers to supplement our discussions. The specific papers will be posted on the course schedule.

Course Outline

A rough outline of the class is as follows:

  1. Introduction
    1. Course Background
    2. Threats
    3. Protection vs. Security
    4. Security Principles
  2. Systems Security in Practice
    1. Multics
    2. Linux Security Modules
    3. Integrity
    4. SELinux
  3. Security Problems and Solutions
    1. Program Integrity
    2. Confused Deputy
    3. Confinement
    4. Malware Detection
  4. Advanced Systems Security
    1. Security Kernels
    2. Virtual Machines Systems
  5. Special Topics
    1. Trusted Computing
    2. Hardware Security Features
    3. Information Flow Control
    4. Symbolic Execution
    5. Program Retrofitting

Academic Integrity Policy

Students are required to follow the university guidelines on academic conduct at all times. Students failing to meet these standards will automatically receive a 'F' grade for the course. The instructor carefully monitors for instances of offenses such as plagiarism and illegal collaboration, so it is very important that students use their best possible judgement in meeting this policy. The instructor will not entertain any discussion on the discovery of an offense, and will assign the 'F' grade and refer the student to the appropriate University bodies for possible further action.

Note that students are explicitly forbidden to copy anything off the Internet (e.g., source code, text) for the purposes of completing an assignment or the final project. Also, students are forbidden from discussing or collaborating on any assignment except were explicitly allowed in writing by the instructor.

Ethics Statement

This course considers topics involving personal and public privacy and security. As part of this investigation we will cover technologies whose abuse may infringe on the rights of others. As an instructor, I rely on the ethical use of these technologies. Unethical use may include circumvention of existing security or privacy measurements for any purpose, or the dissemination, promotion, or exploitation of vulnerabilities of these services. Exceptions to these guidelines may occur in the process of reporting vulnerabilities through public and authoritative channels. Any activity outside the letter or spirit of these guidelines will be reported to the proper authorities and may result in dismissal from the class.

When in doubt, please contact the instructor for advice. Do not undertake any action which could be perceived as technology misuse anywhere and/or under any circumstances unless you have received explicit permission from Professor Jaeger.

Course Updates