Abstract: A system includes a memory system and a processing system operably coupled to the memory system. The memory system includes a plurality of address spaces. The processing system is configured to perform operations including creating a data space from within a primary address space and a primary address space number access list entry referencing the data space. An unauthorized caller routine in a home address space configured to issue a service request including an address space-switching program call from the home address space to a program call target routine in the primary address space. The address space-switching program call references the primary address space number access list entry in the primary address space. A vulnerability identifier associated with the program call target routine is created and logged based on one or more conditions indicative of a cross-memory integrity violation detected responsive to the service request.

Abstract: A system includes a memory system and a processing system operably coupled to the memory system. The processing system is configured to perform operations including setting a target register to point to a first protected storage location of the memory system resulting in a protection exception upon access, calling an authorized service, and confirming that the authorized service uses the target register based on detecting the protection exception. The target register is adjusted to point to a parameter list including one or more known values and a pointer to a second protected storage location resulting in the protection exception upon access to confirm use of a value of the parameter list responsive to calling the authorized service. Parameter list testing and target register testing is repeated for locations in the parameter list and target registers to construct a testing profile for vulnerability testing of the authorized service.

Abstract: A system includes a memory system and a processing system operably coupled to the memory system. The memory system includes a plurality of address spaces. The processing system is configured to perform operations including creating a data space from within a primary address space and a primary address space number access list entry referencing the data space. An unauthorized caller routine in a home address space configured to issue a service request including an address space-switching program call from the home address space to a program call target routine in the primary address space. The address space-switching program call references the primary address space number access list entry in the primary address space. A vulnerability identifier associated with the program call target routine is created and logged based on one or more conditions indicative of a cross-memory integrity violation detected responsive to the service request.

Abstract: A system includes a memory system and a processing system operably coupled to the memory system. The processing system is configured to perform operations including setting a target register to point to a first protected storage location of the memory system resulting in a protection exception upon access, calling an authorized service, and confirming that the authorized service uses the target register based on detecting the protection exception. The target register is adjusted to point to a parameter list including one or more known values and a pointer to a second protected storage location resulting in the protection exception upon access to confirm use of a value of the parameter list responsive to calling the authorized service. Parameter list testing and target register testing is repeated for locations in the parameter list and target registers to construct a testing profile for vulnerability testing of the authorized service.

Abstract: Embodiments include methods, and computer system, and computer program products for testing directly and indirectly anchored interfaces for vulnerabilities regarding storage protection keys.

Abstract: Embodiments include methods, and computer system, and computer program products for testing directly and indirectly anchored interfaces for vulnerabilities regarding storage protection keys.

Abstract: A technique is provided for detecting vulnerabilities in system code on a computer. Supervisor call routines and program call routines of the system code are analyzed to determine which are available to a caller program that is an unauthorized program and has a PSW key 8-15. Predefined input parameters are provided to test cases for use by the supervisor call routines and the program call routines in order to generate an output for analysis. The output is analyzed to determine when supervisor call routines and/or program call routines performed a potential vulnerability action. The potential vulnerability action include reading from fetch protected storage, writing to system key (key 0-7) storage, and attempting to access unallocated storage while running with a PSW key 0-7.

Abstract: A technique is provided for detecting vulnerabilities in system code on a computer. Supervisor call routines and program call routines of the system code are analyzed to determine which are available to a caller program that is an unauthorized program and has a PSW key 8-15. Predefined input parameters are provided to test cases for use by the supervisor call routines and the program call routines in order to generate an output for analysis. The output is analyzed to determine when supervisor call routines and/or program call routines performed a potential vulnerability action. The potential vulnerability action include reading from fetch protected storage, writing to system key (key 0-7) storage, and attempting to access unallocated storage while running with a PSW key 0-7.

Abstract: In order to reduce operating system overhead and to reduce the amount of time that work is queued in a computer operating system environment, flexibility enhancements are made to initiator address spaces allowing them to be created, destroyed, assigned, reassigned and reclaimed. Furthermore, initiator structures are provided with tailorable features which allow them to be readily tuned and honed for computer work associated with the particular classes or groups of work. A method for deployment of initiator address spaces is provided so as to meet response time goals set by system programmers and/or managers. Additionally, system operators are freed from the chore of real-time initiator management.