FLEX: Flexible Linked EXecution for Real-Time Embedded Hotpatching
Summary
FLEX (Flexible Linked EXecution) is a hotpatching technique that allows embedded systems to receive software updates without shutting down, by redirecting all function calls and variable accesses through a compile-time generated Control Flow Table. Unlike older approaches, FLEX works on any hardware, supports many patches at once, and introduces only about 11% execution overhead while using 17% more memory storage.
Solution / Mitigation
The source describes FLEX itself as the solution: it uses a 'relaxed consistency state synchronization mechanism to allow for gradual migration of program state, resolves all symbols at compile time into CFT (Control Flow Table) indirections, applies updates via a double-buffered pointer swap to a new CFT, and a XIP (execute-in-place) compatible process that guarantees only a short, bounded pause time regardless of patch complexity.'
Classification
Original source: http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/11300822
First tracked: May 9, 2026 at 02:01 AM
Classified by LLM (prompt v3) · confidence: 95%