Trace vector decoder

A Trace Vector Decoder (TVD) is computer software that uses the trace facility of its underlying microprocessor to decode encrypted instruction opcodes just-in-time prior to execution and possibly re-encode them afterwards. It can be used to hinder reverse engineering when attempting to prevent software cracking as part of an overall copy protection strategy.

Microprocessor tracing
Certain microprocessor families (e.g. 680x0, x86) provide the capability to trace instructions to aid in program development. A debugger might use this capability to single step through a program, providing the means for a programmer to monitor the execution of the program under test.

By installing a custom handler for the trace exception, it is possible to gain control of the microprocessor between the execution of normal program flow instructions. A typical trace vector decoder exception handler decodes the upcoming instruction located outside the exception, as well as re-encoding the previously decoded instruction.

Motorola 680x0
The Motorola 68000 has an instruction-by-instruction tracing facility. When its trace state is enabled, the processor automatically forces a trace exception after each (non-exception) instruction is executed. The following assembly code snippet is an example of a program initializing a trace exception handler on a 68000 system.

The following is a disassembly of the above trace exception handler loaded on the stack. The purpose of this handler is to obfuscate any traced encrypted code. Its decryption process is affected by the contents of the condition code register (CCR). For example, an arithmetic operation in the main program having the 0 number as a result, will cause zero flag bit to be set in CCR. This will cause the value in (SP) to be changed in the trace exception handler.

Intel x86
The x86 CPUs provide a trace flag that generates an interrupt after the execution of each instruction. The following assembly code is an example of how this might be implemented on an 8086 system.

The following is a disassembly of an associated trace interrupt handler.

Copylock
The Rob Northen Copylock system implemented on the Amiga, Atari ST and IBM PC platforms includes a TVD. In addition to its general software encryption, the Copylock TVD obfuscates the code that accesses and validates the copy protected diskette.

Demoscene
A TVD was included in the Voyage demo, written for the 680x0-based Commodore Amiga by Razor 1911.