Control Flow Integrity

Definitions

1. A class of defenses that ensures a program follows only legitimate control-flow paths during execution, making it harder to redirect execution using memory-corruption exploits. Control-flow integrity can be implemented in software, hardware, or compiler-assisted forms.

   In plain English: A security approach that prevents programs from jumping to unintended execution paths.

   Example: "The hardened build used control flow integrity to reduce the chance of successful ROP-style exploitation."

Related Terms

• Buffer Overflow
• Address Space Layout Randomization
• Boundary Check
• Guard Page
• Stack Canary
• Binary Hardening
• CFI
• Control Flow Guard
• Memory Protection