Vector35 / Vector35/binaryninja-api

Unsigned shift of signed value during optimized signed divide that is only valid because of additional multiplication fails to simplify

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Component: Core Core: HLIL Effort: Low IL Optimization Impact: Low
Dominant language
C++
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Description

Sometimes the compiler can emit a pattern for optimized modulus where the optimized division component of the modulus
is not valid on its own. It can use an unsigned shift by a small amount during a signed division, which normally would
cause the result to be incorrect, but it can be correct if that result is later multiplied by a value, causing all
values to produce the correct result.

Because Binary Ninja first simplifies the optimized divide, then simplifies the modulus, it cannot simplify the
expression at all.

unsigned_shift

Binary with examples:

unsigned_shift.zip

See 12, 24, 36, 48, and others.

Contributor guide

No contributing guide indexed for this repository

First steps

  1. Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
  2. Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
  3. Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
  4. Open a pull request that references the issue number.

Research direction

Start with the unsigned_shift.zip examples, especially the cases involving 12, 24, 36, and 48, and trace how Binary Ninja simplifies the optimized divide and modulus. The issue is resolved when these patterns simplify correctly despite the intermediate signed-division result being invalid on its own.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
cpp
Domain
compilers, reverse-engineering
Issue type
Bug
Difficulty
4/5
Estimated time
3-5 days
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Needs clarification
Newbie friendliness
32/100

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