Question

I would first like to say my goal is to convert MSIL into native X86 code. I am fine with my assembly’s still needing the .net framework installed. NGEN is not what I want as you still need the original assembly’s.

I came across ilasm, and what I am wondering is this what I want, will this make pure assembly code?

I have looked at other projects like mono (which does not support some of the key features my app uses) and .net linkers but they simple just make a single EXE with the .net framework which is not what I am looking for.

So far any research has come up with…you can’t do it. I am really no sure as to why as the JIT does it when it loads the MSIL assembly. I have my own reasons for wanting this, so I guess my question(s) come down to this.

1. Is the link I posted helpful in anyway?

2. Is there anything out there that can turn MSIL into x86 assembly?

Answer 1

There are various third-party code-protection packages available that hide the IL by encrypting it and packing it with a special bootloader that only unpacks it during runtime. This might be an option if you’re concerned about disassembly of your code, though most of these third-party packages are also already cracked (somewhat unavoidable, unfortunately.) Simple obfuscation may ultimately be just as effective, assuming this is your underlying goal.

One the major challenges associated with ‘pre-jitting’ the IL is that you end up including fixed address references in the native code. These in turn will need to be ‘re-based’ when the native code is loaded for execution under the CLR. This means you need more than just the logic that gets compiled; you also need all of the reference context information necessary to rebase the fixed references when the code is loaded. It’s a lot more than just caching code.