Sensors (Jan 2024)

Rowhammer Attacks in Dynamic Random-Access Memory and Defense Methods

  • Dayeon Kim,
  • Hyungdong Park,
  • Inguk Yeo,
  • Youn Kyu Lee,
  • Youngmin Kim,
  • Hyung-Min Lee,
  • Kon-Woo Kwon

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/s24020592
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 24, no. 2
p. 592

Abstract

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This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the security vulnerability known as rowhammer in Dynamic Random-Access Memory (DRAM). While DRAM offers many desirable advantages, including low latency, high density, and cost-effectiveness, rowhammer vulnerability, first identified in 2014, poses a significant threat to computing systems. Rowhammer attacks involve repetitive access to specific DRAM rows, which can cause bit flips in neighboring rows, potentially compromising system credentials, integrity, and availability. The paper discusses the various stages of rowhammer attacks, explores existing attack techniques, and examines defense strategies. It also emphasizes the importance of understanding DRAM organization and the associated security challenges.

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