Information flow graph: An approach to identifying covert storage channels

Abstract

The paper introduces a technique for detecting covert storage channels using a graph structure called an Information Flow Graph (IFG). The IFG can offer the information flows of the system for covert channel detection. By searching for the paths of an IFG, operation sequences can be gained, which will enhances the analyst's understanding of the channels. To illustrate the technique, an example system is analyzed and the result is compared to two analysis approaches, the Shared Resources Matrix and the Covert Flow Trees. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.