Re: [gentoo-embedded] Tool for eliminating non used code or symbols?

[Mike Frysinger <vapier@gentoo.org>]

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On Monday 25 March 2013 03:01:51 Kfir Lavi wrote:
> I'm looking for a way to reduce glibc code size.
> It can be a way to make system smaller and minimize the impact
> of attack vectors in glibc, as in return-to-libc attack.
> 
> Lets say I'm deleting the program 'mkdir', and mkdir uses a function
> in glibc that non of the other parts of the system uses.
> Then I want to eliminate this function from glibc. This leads to smaller
> code and if this function is used in some attack scenario, maybe prevent
> it.
> 
> Is there a way to do it?
> Can you help me think how to build a tool like this? or, integrate
> with existing tools.

the only thing i've seen in the past was a hacky script that utilize the 
uClibc build system to cull objects until things stopped linking.  it had very 
constrained use where i'd safely work, and was never generalized.  i don't 
remember the name of it now (was a few years ago), but having read the 
[limited] source, i wouldn't bother using it as a base.

otherwise, i haven't heard of any tools that do what you want, but i've seen 
many people request it.  unfortunately, it's a tough nut to crack, and the 
vast majority of people requesting it didn't have the technical skills to even 
think about a solution let alone implement it.

i [pessimistically] suspect we're talking many man months here, and the skill 
set involves knowledge of the ELF format at a fairly low level.
-mike

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