Inter-process communication, analysis, guidelines and its impact on computer security

Abstract

In this paper we look at the inter-process communication (IPC) also known as inter-thread or inter-application communication from other knowledge sources. We will look and analyze the different types of IPC in the Microsoft Windows operating system, their implementation and the usefulness of this kind of approach in the terms of communication between processes. Only local implementation of the IPC will be addressed in this paper. Special emphasis will be given to the system mechanisms that are involved with the creation, management, and use of named pipes and sockets. This paper will discuss some of the IPC options and techniques that are available to Microsoft Windows programmers. We will make a comparison between Microsoft remoting and Microsoft message queues (pros and cons). Finally we will make some notes and remarks regarding several issues and concerns about the security of the local system when using these methods, in order to use this knowledge in building a system that will control processes within different desktop environments. At the end, we will give some conclusions about the implementation and use of the IPC methods, including local security guidelines.