The blog discusses PatchGuard, or Kernel Patch Protection (KPP), a critical security feature in Windows that protects the kernel from unauthorized modifications. It explains how PatchGuard operates asynchronously to monitor key kernel structures, triggers a blue screen of death (BSOD) upon detecting tampering, and delves into its initialization process and the challenges of reverse engineering it. Additionally, the article hints at potential bypasses for this security mechanism.
The article delves into the kernel-mode objects and structures that manage Windows registry hives, focusing on the complex relationship between the _CMHIVE and _HHIVE structures. It explores their roles in memory management, synchronization, and transaction states, while discussing the implications for security and performance. Detailed insights on their layouts and functionalities are provided, along with the challenges of reverse-engineering undocumented structures.