[LLVMdev] LLVM based project idea in computer security

[Nicholas S. Childers]

Hello,

First, I apologize if this is the wrong list for my inquiry. I am a  
student at UCSB working in Computer Security and I had an idea that  
would make heavy use of llvm. The idea is to use llvm as an IR /  
compiler for dynamic binary instrumentation, along the lines of the  
VEX IR in the valgrind tool. I was wondering if this idea had been  
previously discussed or if someone is currently working on it?

My hope is that llvm, given its highly portable nature, will be more  
conducive to cross platform support. My dream is to have a highly  
portable tool similar to valgrind, although I am aware that much of  
the difficulty in porting valgrind does not stem from it's IR  
representation but rather dealing with system calls specific to the OS  
(which on windows will probably make writing any type of dynamic  
binary instrumentation tool the closest thing to working in hades).

Anyway, I am in the process of doing my due diligence, checking for  
previous work and related topics. I would very much appreciate input  
on this subject and I thank you for your time :)

-- 
Nicholas Childers
nickchilders at umail.ucsb.edu