linux-kernel - Re: LSM conversion to static interface

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Message-ID: <20071023160520.GV30533@stusta.de>
Date:	Tue, 23 Oct 2007 18:05:20 +0200
From:	Adrian Bunk <bunk@...nel.org>
To:	Avi Kivity <avi@...ranet.com>
Cc:	Greg KH <greg@...ah.com>,
	Thomas Fricaccia <thomas_fricacci@...oo.com>,
	Crispin Cowan <crispin@...spincowan.com>,
	linux-kernel@...r.kernel.org,
	LSM ML <linux-security-module@...r.kernel.org>,
	Linus Torvalds <torvalds@...ux-foundation.org>
Subject: Re: LSM conversion to static interface

On Mon, Oct 22, 2007 at 07:47:36PM +0200, Avi Kivity wrote:
> Greg KH wrote:
>> On Sun, Oct 21, 2007 at 07:24:42PM -0700, Thomas Fricaccia wrote:
>>   
>>> Yes, I think Crispin has succinctly summed it up:  irrevocably closing
>>> the LSM prevents commercial customers from using security modules other
>>> than that provided by their Linux distributor.
>>>     
>>
>> Any "customer" using a security model other than provided by their Linux
>> distributor instantly voided all support from that distro by doing that.
>>
>> So, since the support is gone, they can easily build their own kernels,
>> with their own LSM interfaces, and get the exact same lack of support :)
>
> Running a vendor kernel has the advantage of reusing all the QA work that 
> has gone into that kernel.  It is very different from running 2.6.24-rc1 
> (or 2.6.22.x).  Hence projects like centos: you don't get any support, but 
> the likelihood of actually requiring support is lower than running some 
> random kernel.

You can also get the QA work by building your own kernel from vendor 
kernel sources.

E.g. the Debian distribution ships a package linux-source-2.6.18 that 
contains a linux-source-2.6.18.tar.bz2 with the patched 2.6.18 kernel 
sources Debian uses for building its kernels.

> [but I agree that someone who has somehow determined that they need a 
> specific LSM will probably have determined that they need vendor support as 
> well]

cu
Adrian

-- 

       "Is there not promise of rain?" Ling Tan asked suddenly out
        of the darkness. There had been need of rain for many days.
       "Only a promise," Lao Er said.
                                       Pearl S. Buck - Dragon Seed

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