Software plays a critical role in creating value for Intel's customer. This includes components for the whole software stack. Developing software that does not contain any security bugs is almost impossible. Besides training developers and various approaches to testing, Intel also deploys specific tools for security testing of software. A particular challenge is security testing of firmware since its functionality is strongly entangled with the underlying hardware. In recent years, fuzzing of application software has made rapid progress (e.g. using the AFL open source tooling). In this research project, we develop and validate fuzzing software that uses virtualization to security-test Intel firmware. A particular focus is to use KVM virtualization under Linux to run the firmware virtualized. This allows faster testing. We released a corresponding Intel open source tool kAFL for external validation by the open source community. kAFL is a greybox fuzzer targeting virtual machines on x86.It uses Intel PT and Intel VT for HW-accelerated fuzzing of OS kernels, drivers, hypervisors as well as firmware targeting x86.In this internship, you will join our researchers to deploy their most recent research results in practice. You will support us in the maintenance and extension of the kAFL open source toolkit for use in production environments. This includes refactoring and improving its code but also integrating and evaluating typical fuzzer components such as test case minimization, queue culling and scheduling. A focus will be to security-test different firmware components that are developed by Intel.

Qualifications

Desired skills are good knowledge of C and Python. Experience in fuzzing, Qemu and / or Linux kernel/driver development are a plus. The candidate needs to be enrolled in a related technical field of study (electrical engineering, computer science or similar) during the whole employment. Fluency in English is required. Fluency in German is not required.

We are looking for an intern that may work remotely in Germany for preferably 6 months. This can be full-time (preferred) or in parallel to your studies (up to 20h/week). If desired, there is a potential to conduct research that can be used for a master thesis in collaboration with a University.

Intel Labs is the company's world-class, industry leading research organization, responsible for driving Intel's technology pipeline and creating new opportunities. The mission of Intel Labs is to deliver breakthrough technologies to fuel Intel's growth. This includes identifying and exploring compelling new technologies and high risk opportunities ahead of business unit investment and demonstrating first-to-market technologies and innovative new usages for computing technology. Intel Labs engages the leading thinkers in academia and industry in addition to partnering closely with Intel business units.

Other Locations

France, Nice