Trace vector decoder
A Trace Vector Decoder (TVD) is computer software that uses the trace facility of its underlying microprocessor to decode encrypted instruction opcodes just-in-time prior to execution and possibly re-encode them afterwards. It can be used to hinder reverse engineering when attempting to prevent software cracking as part of an overall copy protection strategy.
Microprocessor tracing
Certain microprocessor families (e.g. 680x0, x86) provide the capability to trace instructions to aid in program development. A debugger might use this capability to single step through a program, providing the means for a programmer to monitor the execution of the program under test.
By installing a custom handler for the trace exception, it is possible to gain control of the microprocessor between the execution of normal program flow instructions. A typical trace vector decoder exception handler decodes the upcoming instruction located outside the exception, as well as re-encoding the previously decoded instruction.
Implementations
=Motorola 680x0=
The Motorola 68000 has an instruction-by-instruction tracing facility.{{cite web |title=MC68000 16-Bit Microprocessor Advance Information |url=http://bitsavers.informatik.uni-stuttgart.de/components/motorola/68000/68000_16-Bit_Microprocessor_Apr83.pdf |publisher=Motorola Inc. |language=English}} When its trace state is enabled, the processor automatically forces a trace exception after each (non-exception) instruction is executed. The following assembly code snippet is an example of a program initializing a trace exception handler on a 68000 system.
InstallHandler: MOVE.L #$4E730000,-(SP) ; Push trace exception handler on to stack
MOVE.L #$00000010,-(SP)
MOVE.L #$0004DDB9,-(SP)
MOVE.L #$BD96BDAE,-(SP)
MOVE.L #$B386B586,-(SP)
MOVE.L #$D046D246,-(SP)
MOVE.L #$0246A71F,-(SP)
MOVE.L #$00023C17,-(SP)
MOVE.W #$2C6F,-(SP)
MOVE.L SP,($24).W ; Set trace exception handler vector
ORI.W #$A71F,SR ; Enable trace state
NOP ; CPU generates a trace exception after executing this NOP
;------------------------
... ; Code from this line would be encrypted
The following is a disassembly of the above trace exception handler loaded on the stack. The purpose of this handler is to obfuscate any traced encrypted code. Its decryption process is affected by the contents of the condition code register (CCR). For example, an arithmetic operation in the main program having the 0 number as a result, will cause zero flag bit to be set in CCR. This will cause the value in (SP) to be changed in the trace exception handler.
TraceHandler: MOVE.L (2,SP),A6 ; Load return address from supervisor stack
MOVE.W (SP),D6 ; Load condition codes of the main program
AND.W #$A71F,D6
ADD.W D6,D0
ADD.W D6,D1
EOR.L D1,D6
EOR.L D2,D6
EOR.L D6,(A6) ; Decode 8 bytes ahead in main
EOR.L D6,(4,A6)
RTE ; Return from exception
=Intel x86=
The x86 CPUs provide a trace flag that generates an interrupt after the execution of each instruction. The following assembly code is an example of how this might be implemented on an 8086 system.
; Start by setting a trace handler
InstallHandler: xor bx, bx ; clear bx (faster than mov 0 into it)
mov es, bx ; now ES start is at 0x00000
mov word ptr es:[1*4], offset TraceHandler ; write handler's address offset to IVT entry 1
mov word ptr es:[1*4 + 2], cs ; write current code segment to IVT entry 1
; Turn on the trace trap
pushf ; push FLAGS onto stack
pop ax ; pop previously read FLAGS into AX
or ah, 1 ; set bit 0 by ORing with 1
push ax ; push modified flags back onto stack
popf ; now we have set trace flag in FLAGS
nop
;------------------------
... ; Code from this line would be encrypted
The following is a disassembly of an associated trace interrupt handler.
TraceHandler: push bp
mov bp, sp ; Gain access to return address
push bx
push ds ; Return address in DS:BX
lds bx, 2[bp] ; Pointer to opcode of next instruction
mov bx, [bx] ; Get current instruction's opcode
... ; Decode the opcode
pop ds
pop bx
pop bp
iret ; Return from interrupt
Examples
=Copylock=
The Rob Northen Copylock system implemented on the Amiga,{{cite web |last1=Sevalliu |first1=Patrik |title=Rainbow Islands |url=https://www.computerarcheology.com/Amiga/Rainbow/ |website=Computer Archeology}} Atari ST{{cite web |last1=Kerr |first1=Wayne |title=Amiga cracking – A look at basic TVD's |url=https://flashtro.com/basic-tvd-cracking/ |website=Flashtro |date=May 2004}} and IBM PC{{cite web |last1=Furlough |first1=Fabulous |title=Rob Northen's Copylock |url=http://fabulousfurlough.blogspot.com/2008/08/rob-northens-copylock.html |website=My life behind the patch|date=6 August 2008 }} platforms includes a TVD. In addition to its general software encryption, the Copylock TVD obfuscates the code that accesses and validates the copy protected diskette.
=Demoscene=
A TVD was included in the Voyage demo, written for the 680x0-based Commodore Amiga by Razor 1911.{{cite web |last1=Various |title=Vogage Demo |url=http://www.pouet.net/prod.php?which=3521 |website=Pouet}}