Verifying components of Arm(R) Confidential Computing Architecture with ESBMC

Abstract: Realm Management Monitor (RMM) is an essential firmware component within the recent Arm Confidential Computing Architecture (Arm CCA). Previous work applies formal techniques to verify the specification and prototype reference implementation of RMM. However, relying solely on a single verification tool may lead to the oversight of certain bugs or vulnerabilities. This paper discusses the application of ESBMC, a state-of-the-art Satisfiability Modulo Theories (SMT)-based software model checker, to further enhance RRM verification. We demonstrate ESBMC's ability to precisely parse the source code and identify specification failures within a reasonable time frame. Moreover, we propose potential improvements for ESBMC to enhance its efficiency for industry engineers. This work contributes to exploring the capabilities of formal verification techniques in real-world scenarios and suggests avenues for further improvements to better meet industrial verification needs.