⬇ Download holy card: ·
Saint ECCploit, Who Hammered Even Error-Correcting Memory
Patron of ECC memory, Rowhammer attacks, and everyone who thought corrected bits were safe.
Life
On 23 November 2018 VUSec presented ECCploit: ECC memory, which automatically corrects single bad bits and was believed immune to Rowhammer, could still be bent. By patiently studying the timing of the corrections, the researchers worked out how to cause enough bit flips to defeat the ECC protection and alter memory. The defence was no magic: it slowed the attack down, it did not make it impossible.
Prayer
O Saint ECCploit, who hammers until the correction gives way, let our memory not place all its trust in parity bits. Amen.
How to celebrate
Celebrated by choosing memory and controllers more resistant to Rowhammer, without the illusion that ECC alone is enough.
Correct one bit and you still have not stopped the hammer.