Pattern-based environment modeling for static verification of Linux kernel modules

Abstract

Linux kernel modules operate in an event-driven environment. During static verification of such modules it is necessary to take into consideration all feasible scenarios of interaction between modules and their environment. The paper presents a new method which allows to automatically generate an environment model for a particular kernel module on the base of analysis of its source code and a set of specifications describing patterns of scenarios of interaction between modules and their environment. In specifications one can describe both generic patterns that are widespread in the Linux kernel and detailed specific patterns for a particular subsystem. It drastically reduces a specification size and thus helps to verify more modules with less efforts. Proposed method was implemented as a component of Linux Driver Verification Tools and was applied for static verification of modules from almost all Linux kernel subsystems.