Unleashing the Hidden Power of Compiler Optimization on Binary Code Difference: An Empirical Study

Understand

Since compiler optimization is the most common source contributing to binary code differences in syntax, testing the resilience against the changes caused by different compiler optimization settings has become a standard evaluation step for most binary diffing approaches.

• For example, 47 top-venue papers in the last 12 years compared different program versions compiled by default optimization levels (e.g., -Ox in GCC and LLVM).
• Although many of them claim they are immune to compiler transformations, it is yet unclear about their resistance to non-default optimization settings.
• Especially, we have observed that adversaries explored non-default compiler settings to amplify malware differences.