Functions and stack frame, C/C++ Programming

Assignment Help:

Each function has its own stack frame between %fp and %sp. Let Caller calls Callee. Then Caller's %sp becomes callee's %fp, and callee's %sp set to be a new value (a smaller one because stack grows from large address to small address). You can think that Callee's stack frame is on top of Caller's stack frame.

In Caller: put arguments in %o0 to %o5 registers or if number of arguments more than 6, prepare values in call linkage of the current stack frame. Then "call" address_of_callee; %o7 stored the returned address. (This %o7 will becomes %i7 in callee after the callee executes save instruction.)

In Callee: it executes "save" instruction:

  • 0. Caller's %i (input registers) and %l (local registers) are reserved in its own stack frame. They are put in the top portion of the caller's stack frame. Implication: the return address of Caller (NOT CALLEE), %i7, is stored there.
  • 1. set callee's %i (input registers) by callers %o (output registers). The implication: pass parameters and return address now is in %i7. And now callee's fp (%i6) <-- caller's sp (%o6).
  • 2. Allocate space for new frame pointers. Caller's sp (%o6) is now set to be the new value.

So at this point in callee, %i6 (%fp was caller's %o6) is set, and %o6 (%sp is set to be a new value). Question: where is the old %fp? It is stored somewhere in the top portion of the previous stack frame (see step 0.) The return address of Callee is stored in %i7. Is it possible to write a program to overflow this %i7? What return address that you really can overflow? Question: how to access that return address.

The "restore" instruction is the inverse function of save. Then the "ret" instruction should branch to %i7+8. The normal address should be %i7+4 as the next instruction address after call. The extra 4 is because sparc has a "branch delay" instruction that is executed BEFORE the call is made even it is put just after CALL. Is it strange. Not really. This is because modern CPU is a pipeline machine. It loads instruction every clock cycle, and branch (or jump or call) somewhat cannot be really done until the later stage the pipeline. And then it is already too late because the one JUST after this branch has already been executed. If you want to know more, you should take a look at computer architecture textbook which I think every graduate should know.

You should be very clear what return address in server.c is overflowed? Is it the return address of main() or the return address of copy()?


Related Discussions:- Functions and stack frame

Array, write a function that take as parameters an array of integer and its...

write a function that take as parameters an array of integer and its size and return the sum of its value

Program, write a program that adds all numbers from 1 to 200

write a program that adds all numbers from 1 to 200

Assignment, (RationalNumber Class) A rational number is a number that can b...

(RationalNumber Class) A rational number is a number that can be represented as the quotient of two integers. For example, 1/3, 5/7, 7/2, and so forth are rational numbers (By 2/1

Example of function - c program, Here is a short program. It prints out the...

Here is a short program. It prints out the value of a variable "x". Ernie and Bert disagree about what will be printed: Ernie says, the value gets changed in "changeX" so it will p

Array, If an array holds integer, each of which is four bytes long, how man...

If an array holds integer, each of which is four bytes long, how many bytes from the base location of the array is the location of the fifth element?

Using the substitution model illustrate the process, Each of the following ...

Each of the following two procedures defines a method for adding two positive integers in terms of the procedures inc, which increments its argument by 1, and dec, which decrements

We want network-social app, We are seeking a talented developer/team with g...

We are seeking a talented developer/team with great experience in programming apps for both Android and iOS. Our project needs great skills and experience in making good functional

Palindrome, A palindrome is a string that reads the same from both the ends...

A palindrome is a string that reads the same from both the ends. Given a string S convert it to a palindrome by doing character replacement. Your task is to convert S to palindrome

Implementation of the stack class in c++, Implementation of the Stack class...

Implementation of the Stack class in C++: How to implement stack class in c++. int Stack::push(int elem) {    if (top    {       list[top++] = elem;       r

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd