Ahoy SAILR! There is No Need to DREAM of C: A Compiler-Aware Structuring Algorithm for Binary Decompilation
Zion Leonahenahe Basque
33rd USENIX Security Symposium · Day 1 · USENIX Security '24
In the realm of binary analysis, the ability to transform machine code back into human-readable source code — a process known as **decompilation** — is a cornerstone for security researchers, reverse engineers, and software auditors. Despite decades of research and advancements, the output of modern decompilers often bears little resemblance to the original source, frequently riddled with unintuitive constructs like `goto` statements, redundant code, and complex Boolean logic. This divergence from source code significantly hinders comprehension, making tasks like vulnerability discovery, malware analysis, and intellectual property protection more challenging and time-consuming.
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This work introduces SAILR, a compiler-aware decompilation algorithm that fundamentally shifts how we approach binary structuring. By systematically reversing compiler optimizations and using a robust new metric, SAILR generates code significantly closer to original source, drastically improving readability and utility for reverse engineers. This is a critical advancement for the field.