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This capstone project report focuses on enhancing the security of Inter-Process Communication (IPC) in modern operating systems by identifying vulnerabilities and proposing a comprehensive security framework. The framework incorporates encryption, authentication, access control, and integrity checks to mitigate risks associated with IPC mechanisms. The findings emphasize the importance of balancing security with performance while ensuring compatibility across different operating systems.

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Narendra

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SAVEETHA SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING

SAVEETHA INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL AND TECHNICAL SCIEN

CAPSTONE PROJECT REPORT

PROJECT TITLE

Ensuring Secure Inter-Process Communication in Modern OS

REPORT SUBMITTED BY

B.v narendrareddy - 192324113

COURSE CODE / NAME

CSA0449 / OPEARATING SYSTEMS FOR GAMING TECHNOLOGIES

Abstract:-
Inter-Process Communication (IPC) is a cornerstone of modern
operating systems, enabling processes to exchange data and
synchronize operations effectively. However, the increasing
complexity of applications and the evolving threat landscape
have made IPC mechanisms a target for malicious exploitation.
This paper addresses the critical need for secure IPC in
contemporary operating systems.

We explore prevalent IPC mechanisms such as message

queues, shared memory, pipes, and sockets, highlighting their
inherent vulnerabilities. Emphasis is placed on potential attack
vectors, including data tampering, eavesdropping,
unauthorized access, and denial of service. To mitigate these
risks, we propose a framework that integrates advanced
security measures, including robust authentication protocols,
data encryption, access control policies, and runtime
monitoring.

The proposed solutions are evaluated in terms of performance

impact, scalability, and compatibility with existing operating
system architectures. Additionally, we discuss emerging trends
such as hardware-enforced security (e.g., Trusted Execution
Environments) and their implications for IPC. Our findings aim
to guide the development of secure IPC mechanisms, ensuring
data integrity, confidentiality, and reliability in the face of
modern cybersecurity challenges.

Introduction:-
Problem statement:-
Modern operating systems (OS) rely heavily on Inter-Process
Communication (IPC) to enable processes to interact and share
resources. IPC mechanisms such as message queues, shared
memory, pipes, and sockets are essential for efficient task
execution and system functionality. However, these
mechanisms are increasingly exposed to security risks,
including unauthorized access, data interception, and privilege
escalation attacks. The integration of security into IPC systems
is no longer optional—it is a necessity for ensuring system
stability and user trust.

This paper focuses on identifying the vulnerabilities inherent in

IPC mechanisms and exploring strategies to enhance their
security. By leveraging encryption, authentication, and robust
access control policies, we aim to minimize risks and provide a
foundation for secure and efficient communication between
processes in modern OS environments.

OBJECTIVES:-
Analyze IPC Mechanisms: To study the functionality and
architecture of widely used IPC mechanisms, identifying their
strengths and weaknesses in terms of security.

Identify Vulnerabilities: To explore common vulnerabilities

in IPC systems, such as data tampering, eavesdropping, and
unauthorized access.

Propose Secure Framework: To design a comprehensive

framework incorporating encryption, authentication, and access
control to enhance IPC security.

Evaluate Framework Performance: To assess the impact of

the proposed security measures on system performance,
scalability, and usability.

Address Emerging Trends: To consider the

role of advanced technologies such as hardware
security modules and trusted execution
environments in enhancing IPC security.
METERIALS AND METHODS:-
To achieve the objectives of ensuring secure inter-process
communication (IPC) in modern operating systems, the
following materials and methodologies are employed:
Operating Systems:-
 Modern OS platforms such as Linux, Windows, and macOS
to analyze and test IPC mechanisms.IPC Mechanisms

 Tools and libraries like message queues, shared memory

APIs, pipes, and sockets.Security Tools

 Encryption libraries (e.g., OpenSSL), authentication

frameworks, and access control systems.

Hardware Resources:-
 Systems with Trusted Platform Modules (TPM) and Trusted
Execution Environments (e.g., Intel SGX or ARM
TrustZone).

Procedure:-
Step 1: Understand the Current IPC
Mechanisms:-
 Objective: Analyze and understand the architecture and
functionality of commonly used IPC mechanisms.

 Actions:

1. Study IPC methods such as message queues, shared

memory, pipes, sockets, and signals.

2. Examine their use cases in modern operating

systems like Linux, Windows, and macOS.

3. Explore relevant documentation and APIs provided by

the OS for implementing these mechanisms.

Step 2: Identify Vulnerabilities in IPC Systems:-

 Objective: Assess the security weaknesses in existing IPC
implementations.

 Actions:
1. Perform threat modeling to map out potential attack
vectors such as:

 Eavesdropping on IPC communication.

 Unauthorized process access.

 Data manipulation and privilege escalation

attacks.

2. Simulate common attacks (e.g., man-in-the-middle

attacks, buffer overflows) on test systems.

3. Use tools such as Wireshark (for traffic analysis) and

penetration testing frameworks to uncover
vulnerabilities.

Step 3: Design the Secure IPC Framework

 Objective: Develop a robust framework to enhance IPC
security.

 Actions:

1. Incorporate Encryption:

 Ensure data confidentiality using symmetric or

asymmetric encryption protocols (e.g., AES,
RSA).

2. Implement Authentication:

 Use secure authentication protocols (e.g.,

Kerberos, OAuth) to validate process identities.

3. Set Up Access Control Policies:

 Apply fine-grained access controls to restrict

unauthorized access to IPC resources.

4. Enable Data Integrity Checks:

 Use cryptographic hashing algorithms (e.g.,
SHA-256) to verify data integrity during
communication.

5. Add Sandboxing and Isolation:

 Employ techniques to isolate processes and

minimize the impact of potential breaches.

Step 4: Implement the Framework

 Objective: Deploy the designed security measures on
modern OS platforms.

 Actions:

1. Develop prototype implementations using

programming languages like C, Python, or Java.

2. Use available OS tools and APIs to integrate

encryption, authentication, and access control
mechanisms into IPC systems.

3. Set up virtual machines or physical test

environments running different OS platforms.

4. Deploy the secure IPC framework and configure it

according to the identified threat scenarios.

Step 5: Test and Evaluate the Framework

 Objective: Ensure the framework effectively secures IPC
mechanisms while maintaining performance.

 Actions:

1. Functionality Testing:

 Verify that IPC systems operate as intended

with the added security features.

2. Security Testing:
 Simulate attack scenarios to evaluate the
framework’s ability to prevent unauthorized
access and data breaches.

Start

Select IPC Method (Named Pipes, Message Queues,

Shared Memory)

Apply Encryption (AES, RSA) for Secure

Communication

Implement Message Integrity (SHA-256 for hashing)

Integrate Access Control (RBAC or PKI Authentication)

Test for Security Risks (Eavesdropping,

Tampering, Unauthorized Access)

Benchmark Performance Impact (Evaluate

throughput and latency)

Optimize IPC Mechanisms for Performance

End

3. Performance Testing:
 Measure latency, throughput, and resource
usage of IPC mechanisms before and after
implementing the security measures.

4. Compatibility Testing:

 Test the framework across multiple OS

platforms and applications to ensure
compatibility.

Step 6: Optimize the Framework

 Objective: Refine the framework to balance security,

performance, and usability.

 Actions:

1. Identify and address any bottlenecks or performance

issues.

2. Optimize encryption algorithms and authentication

protocols for real-time applications.

3. Improve scalability to support a large number of

processes and complex IPC systems.

Step 7: Document Findings and

Recommendations:-
 Objective: Summarize the results and provide actionable
insights for developers and system architects.

 Actions:

1. Document the vulnerabilities identified and the

security measures implemented.

2. Highlight the performance and scalability outcomes

of the framework.
3. Provide guidelines and best practices for
implementing secure IPC mechanisms in modern OS
environments.

Step 8: Future Enhancements and Trends:-

 Objective: Plan for continuous improvement and
adaptation to emerging threats.

 Actions:

1. Explore advancements in hardware-based security

like Trusted Execution Environments (TEEs) and
hardware security modules.

2. Research the integration of artificial intelligence (AI)

for dynamic threat detection and prevention.

3. Monitor and address new vulnerabilities that arise in

evolving IPC systems and OS architectures.

PROBLEM SLOVING AND TROUBLESHOOTING:

Issue: Performance Degradation with Encryption:

 Solution: Optimize the encryption algorithm for faster

execution by using hardware acceleration or multi-
threading for encryption/decryption operations. Consider
using lightweight encryption algorithms like ChaCha20 if
performance is critical.

Issue: Misconfigured Access Control:

 Solution: Ensure that access control policies are

correctly configured, and test the system with
different user roles. Implement logging and
auditing features to track unauthorized access
attempts.
Issue: Message Integrity Failures:
 Solution: Verify that the hashing algorithm is
properly implemented and used with the correct
key. Test for edge cases where message lengths
are unusually short or long, ensuring the integrity
check works across all scenarios.
Issue: Key Management Challenges:

 Solution: Implement a secure key exchange protocol

(e.g., Diffie-Hellman or RSA) to share keys securely
between communicating processes. Consider using secure
key storage techniques, such as hardware security
modules (HSMs), to prevent unauthorized key access.

Debugging IPC Communication Issues:

 Solution: Use debugging tools (e.g., strace on Linux) to

track system calls and identify where IPC is failing. Check
for issues like incorrect pipe permissions, blocked
message queues, or insufficient buffer sizes.

Issue: System Compatibility:

 Solution: Ensure that the chosen IPC methods and

security mechanisms are compatible with different
operating systems. Consider implementing platform-
specific solutions or using cross-platform libraries that
abstract the underlying OS details.

Network-Based Attacks in Distributed Systems:

 Solution: For distributed IPC, ensure end-to-end

encryption is applied, and use secure tunneling protocols
(e.g., TLS/SSL) to protect data in transit. Regularly update
and patch systems to mitigate known vulnerabilities.

DISCUSSION:
The implementation of secure IPC mechanisms in modern
operating systems is a critical step in safeguarding data and
ensuring reliable system performance. By integrating
encryption, access control, and message integrity, the
system ensures that only authorized processes can
communicate, that data is not altered during transmission,
and that sensitive information is protected from unauthorized
access.

However, securing IPC also presents challenges:

 Performance Trade-offs: Encryption and access control
mechanisms can introduce overhead. AES encryption, for
example, can slow down communication between
processes. The key challenge is to balance security with
performance. In this project, efforts were made to
optimize encryption algorithms for speed, such as using
hardware acceleration or optimized cryptographic
libraries.

 Compatibility: Different IPC mechanisms require different

handling across operating systems. While Named Pipes
(FIFOs) are commonly used in Unix-based systems, other
methods like shared memory or message queues may be
more appropriate in Windows environments. A flexible,
cross-platform approach was necessary to design the
secure IPC framework.

 Security Robustness: Although encryption ensures

confidentiality, it’s crucial to also maintain message
integrity and prevent unauthorized access. By applying
hash functions (SHA-256) and role-based access controls,
the solution provided a multi-layered defense against
potential threats.

Result:-
Security: The implemented system successfully
protected IPC data using AES encryption, RSA for key
exchange, and SHA-256 for integrity. Unauthorized
processes were effectively blocked through role-based
access control, ensuring secure communication.
Performance: While there was a slight reduction in IPC
performance due to encryption overhead, the system was
still able to maintain a reasonable level of throughput.
Optimizations such as using efficient encryption modes
(e.g., AES-GCM) and reducing the frequency of encryption
operations helped mitigate performance loss.

Scalability: The design of the secure IPC framework was

scalable, with the ability to accommodate a growing
number of processes while maintaining security.

+---------------------+

| Start |

+---------------------+

| Process Requests IPC|

+---------------------+

| Verify Process Identity| (Using Digital Certificates,

Public/Private Keys)

+---------------------+

| Check Access Rights | (RBAC or PKI-based access control)

+---------------------+

| If Access Denied | (Reject Communication)

+---------------------+

| If Access Granted | (Allow Communication)

+---------------------+

| End |

+---------------------+

CONCLUSION:
This project demonstrates the importance of securing
Inter-Process Communication in modern operating
systems to protect sensitive data and prevent
unauthorized access. The proposed framework, which
integrates encryption, access control, and message
integrity, provides a robust solution to secure IPC while
maintaining system performance. Future work could
explore more advanced techniques like hardware-based
encryption, lightweight cryptographic algorithms, and
automated key management solutions to further enhance
security and performance.
By addressing the critical need for secure communication
in operating systems, this research contributes to the
development of safer, more resilient software
environments that can withstand evolving cyber threats.