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

Write a program to add co-ordinates of the plane, Write a program to add co...

Write a program to add co-ordinates of the plane The class having x and y co-ordinates. Create three objects. Use a constructor to pass one pair of co-ordinates and a funct

C program to add two complex numbers , Aim: To implement a program to add ...

Aim: To implement a program to add two complex numbers using constructors. Code:                       class complex {             int real;             int img;

Decode, Problem Description Smugglers are becoming very smart day by day. N...

Problem Description Smugglers are becoming very smart day by day. Now they have developed a new technique of sending their messages from one smuggler to another. In their new techn

Decoding smugglers message, Smugglers are becoming very smart day by day. N...

Smugglers are becoming very smart day by day. Now they have developed a new technique of sending their messages from one smuggler to another. In their new technology, they are send

Decode the given code, write c++ program to decode the given code. in mobil...

write c++ program to decode the given code. in mobile keypad the integers from 1 to 9 will display the characters from a to z and 0 will assign a space

Write a c++ program that calculates the area of a circle, Write a C++ progr...

Write a C++ program that calculates the area of a circle, rectangle and square using overloaded versions of a function area ().Your program should include both declarations and def

multithreaded server, Implement a multithreaded server that can be used as...

Implement a multithreaded server that can be used as a proxy server to access some designated file (say it reflects the proxy copy of two file1.txt, file2.txt). Now use a client to

Source code on home stay, I am doing project on home stay which includes fe...

I am doing project on home stay which includes features like add homestay,search,book,delete homestay,

Basic data type in cpp, B a s i c D a t a t y p e : ...

B a s i c D a t a t y p e : T h e r e a r e t h r e e t y p e o f d a t a t y p e i n C+ + 1.       P r

Program is to append the contents of one file to another, Program is to app...

Program is to append the contents of one file to another: void main()    {   clrscr();   fstream file1,file2;   char st1[13],st2[13];/* 13 because a filename canno

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