  Recent research has shown that bit-flip attacks (BFAs) can manipulate deep
neural networks (DNNs) via DRAM Rowhammer exploitations. Existing attacks are
primarily launched over high-level DNN frameworks like PyTorch and flip bits in
model weight files. Nevertheless, DNNs are frequently compiled into low-level
executables by deep learning (DL) compilers to fully leverage low-level
hardware primitives. The compiled code is usually high-speed and manifests
dramatically distinct execution paradigms from high-level DNN frameworks.
  In this paper, we launch the first systematic study on the attack surface of
BFA specifically for DNN executables compiled by DL compilers. We design an
automated search tool to identify vulnerable bits in DNN executables and
identify practical attack vectors that exploit the model structure in DNN
executables with BFAs (whereas prior works make likely strong assumptions to
attack model weights). DNN executables appear more "opaque" than models in
high-level DNN frameworks. Nevertheless, we find that DNN executables contain
extensive, severe (e.g., single-bit flip), and transferrable attack surfaces
that are not present in high-level DNN models and can be exploited to deplete
full model intelligence and control output labels. Our finding calls for
incorporating security mechanisms in future DNN compilation toolchains.
