Groups | Search | Server Info | Keyboard shortcuts | Login | Register [http] [https] [nntp] [nntps]


Groups > comp.os.linux.misc > #81949

Re: For those arguing over languages...

From Rich <rich@example.invalid>
Newsgroups comp.os.linux.misc
Subject Re: For those arguing over languages...
Date 2026-02-11 21:27 +0000
Organization A noiseless patient Spider
Message-ID <10mis8n$v5p4$1@dont-email.me> (permalink)
References <10mesjc$3gnr9$1@dont-email.me> <azKdnRQU0p54ZRb0nZ2dnZfqnPWdnZ2d@giganews.com> <10mij0u$rimo$1@dont-email.me> <10mil9m$sd7n$5@dont-email.me>

Show all headers | View raw


The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:
> On 11/02/2026 18:50, Rich wrote:
>> c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> wrote:
>>> On 2/10/26 04:09, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
>>>> ...more fuel on the fire...
>>>>
>>>> https://www.theregister.com/2026/02/09/compilers_undermine_encryption/
>>>>
>>>> GCC erases code whose delays obfuscates encryption delays because it
>>>> doesn't do anything...
>>>>
>>>
>>>    Very interesting ! How 'optimization' sometimes ISN'T.
>> 
>> Nope.  As Richard Kettlewell has pointed out, what the encryption 
>> code writers want is "constant time execution, regardless of inputs" 
>> which is not a promised output from gcc, no matter the optimization 
>> level chosen.
>> 
> +1.
> 
>> The compiler is "properly optimizing" given the meaning of 
>> "optimization" it uses ("make code run as fast as possible" or "make 
>> code as small as possible" -- with -Os).  But the compiler was not 
>> designed to create "constant time execution" code.  The writers were 
>> expecting a promise the compiler never promised.
> 
> Sounds deeply political :-)
> 
> Perhaps a C construct ...
> 
> void randMicrodelay()
> 
> could be constructed in Asssember for every platform...

For crypto work that likely would not be considered sufficient.  Unless 
the randomness for the "delay" came from a true random source it would 
likely still leak side-channel data.  It would make the attackers job 
harder, but not fully close the leak.

Back to comp.os.linux.misc | Previous | NextPrevious in thread | Next in thread | Find similar


Thread

For those arguing over languages... The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-02-10 09:09 +0000
  Re: For those arguing over languages... Richard Kettlewell <invalid@invalid.invalid> - 2026-02-10 13:11 +0000
  Re: For those arguing over languages... Farley Flud <ff@linux.rocks> - 2026-02-10 14:08 +0000
    Re: For those arguing over languages... Marc Haber <mh+usenetspam1118@zugschl.us> - 2026-02-10 15:16 +0100
      Re: For those arguing over languages... Richard Kettlewell <invalid@invalid.invalid> - 2026-02-10 16:19 +0000
        Re: For those arguing over languages... Richard Kettlewell <invalid@invalid.invalid> - 2026-02-10 18:20 +0000
      Re: For those arguing over languages... Chris Ahlstrom <OFeem1987@teleworm.us> - 2026-02-10 11:22 -0500
      Re: For those arguing over languages... John  <john@panix.com> - 2026-02-17 16:23 +0000
        Re: For those arguing over languages... Rich <rich@example.invalid> - 2026-02-19 19:26 +0000
          Re: For those arguing over languages... Richard Kettlewell <invalid@invalid.invalid> - 2026-02-22 09:28 +0000
    Re: For those arguing over languages... John Ames <commodorejohn@gmail.com> - 2026-02-10 08:24 -0800
      Re: For those arguing over languages... Richard Kettlewell <invalid@invalid.invalid> - 2026-02-10 18:16 +0000
  Re: For those arguing over languages... c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> - 2026-02-10 22:34 -0500
    Re: For those arguing over languages... Rich <rich@example.invalid> - 2026-02-11 18:50 +0000
      Re: For those arguing over languages... The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-02-11 19:28 +0000
        Re: For those arguing over languages... Rich <rich@example.invalid> - 2026-02-11 21:27 +0000
          Re: For those arguing over languages... Richard Kettlewell <invalid@invalid.invalid> - 2026-02-12 09:48 +0000
            Re: For those arguing over languages... c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> - 2026-02-12 20:48 -0500
      Re: For those arguing over languages... Chris Ahlstrom <OFeem1987@teleworm.us> - 2026-02-11 16:24 -0500
        Re: For those arguing over languages... Rich <rich@example.invalid> - 2026-02-11 22:45 +0000
          Re: For those arguing over languages... The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-02-12 12:42 +0000
      Re: For those arguing over languages... "Carlos E. R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2026-02-11 23:24 +0100
        Re: For those arguing over languages... Lawrence D’Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> - 2026-02-11 22:48 +0000
        Re: For those arguing over languages... Rich <rich@example.invalid> - 2026-02-11 22:49 +0000
        Re: For those arguing over languages... Richard Kettlewell <invalid@invalid.invalid> - 2026-02-12 09:55 +0000
          Re: For those arguing over languages... "Carlos E. R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2026-02-12 11:49 +0100
          Re: For those arguing over languages... c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> - 2026-02-12 20:54 -0500
            Re: For those arguing over languages... Rich <rich@example.invalid> - 2026-02-13 03:20 +0000
              Re: For those arguing over languages... c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> - 2026-02-12 23:44 -0500
        Re: For those arguing over languages... The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-02-12 12:38 +0000
          Re: For those arguing over languages... "Carlos E. R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2026-02-12 15:14 +0100
            Re: For those arguing over languages... Rich <rich@example.invalid> - 2026-02-12 17:23 +0000
              Re: For those arguing over languages... "Carlos E. R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2026-02-12 19:52 +0100
                Re: For those arguing over languages... The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-02-13 10:11 +0000
                Re: For those arguing over languages... Richard Kettlewell <invalid@invalid.invalid> - 2026-02-13 10:20 +0000
            Re: For those arguing over languages... The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-02-13 10:10 +0000
              Re: For those arguing over languages... c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> - 2026-02-13 19:57 -0500
          Re: For those arguing over languages... c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> - 2026-02-12 20:56 -0500

csiph-web