linux-kernel - Re: [PATCH 2/3] UIO: Documentation

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Message-ID: <20070809151220.3f389efc@the-village.bc.nu>
Date:	Thu, 9 Aug 2007 15:12:20 +0100
From:	Alan Cox <alan@...rguk.ukuu.org.uk>
To:	Hans-Jürgen Koch <hjk@...utronix.de>
Cc:	Valdis.Kletnieks@...edu, Jesper Juhl <jesper.juhl@...il.com>,
	Greg Kroah-Hartman <gregkh@...e.de>,
	linux-kernel@...r.kernel.org
Subject: Re: [PATCH 2/3] UIO: Documentation

> That's no UIO invention. Userspace software that uses kernel interfaces like
> syscall, device files, sysfs, and so on, is by definition _not_ a derived work
> of the kernel and can be distributed under any license.

This I believe incorrect. Please cite caselaw if you know better.

> With UIO, you have a kernel module that is so small, that even somebody who
> hasn't got the hardware can easily review it and tell if the code is OK or not.
> It is easy to maintain and doesn't reveal any secrets about the hardware.

False

Because you have no idea if the interface is correct or the userspace is
doing stuff like triggering DMA to arbitary addresses via the interface
or mmap functions. If it does so then even if its root only you've blown
your security model.

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