linux-kernel - Re: [PATCH] get_random_long() and AT

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Date:	Wed, 20 Jun 2007 15:30:22 -0500
From:	Matt Mackall <mpm@...enic.com>
To:	Alexander Gabert <pappy@...too.org>
Cc:	Arjan van de Ven <arjan@...radead.org>, libc-alpha@...rceware.org,
	linux-kernel@...r.kernel.org, hardened@...too.org,
	torvalds@...ux-foundation.org
Subject: Re: [PATCH] get_random_long() and AT_ENTROPY for auxv, kernel 2.6.21.5

On Wed, Jun 20, 2007 at 05:34:13PM +0200, Alexander Gabert wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> http://dev.gentoo.org/~pappy/kernel/linux-2.6.21.5-get_urandom_long-AT_ENTROPY.patch
> 
> this patch adds the function drivers/char/random.c:get_random_long()
> and adds an AT_ENTROPY field in the auxv without config option
> (the config option was removed as suggested by Arjan on LKML).

One ought to cc: the /dev/random maintainer.

> /*
> + * get_random_long() returns a randomized unsigned long word.
> + * It recycles it's entropy cache for a given time period and
> + * uses half_md4_transform to generate a unique return value.
> + * Every REKEY_INTERVAL the cache is reloaded with fresh
> + * randomization data using get_random_bytes().
> + * This function is not intended for strong cryptographic routines.
> + */

What's the point of this?

-- 
Mathematics is the supreme nostalgia of our time.
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