linux-kernel - Re: [patch 1/2] [RFC] Simple tamper-proof device filesystem.

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Message-ID: <20071219201439.129c3772@astralstorm.puszkin.org>
Date:	Wed, 19 Dec 2007 20:14:39 +0100
From:	Radoslaw Szkodzinski (AstralStorm) <lkml@...ralstorm.puszkin.org>
To:	Tetsuo Handa <penguin-kernel@...ove.SAKURA.ne.jp>
Cc:	a1426z@...ab.com, indan@....nu, david@...idnewall.com,
	linux-fsdevel@...r.kernel.org, linux-kernel@...r.kernel.org
Subject: Re: [patch 1/2] [RFC] Simple tamper-proof device filesystem.

On Wed, 19 Dec 2007 21:11:11 +0900
Tetsuo Handa <penguin-kernel@...ove.SAKURA.ne.jp> wrote:

> Hello.
> 
> Radoslaw Szkodzinski (AstralStorm) wrote:
> > Actually, who needs to create device nodes? Just prohibit everyone from
> > creating them, except "installer" and "udev" personality.
> > This means removing CAP_MKNOD on a global scale.
> 
> What happens if the root tampers udev's configuration file?
> The udev will create inappropriate (i.e. filename with unexpected attributes)
> device nodes, won't it?

Yes. But root doesn't need access to these files, at least not usually.
Create a separate user for editing config files - much lower
probability of breakage. Remove almost all capabilities from root and
profit.

> After all, revoking CAP_MKNOD is not enough for guaranteeing
> filename and its attributes.
> 
> This filesystem is designed to guarantee filename and its attributes,
> but this filesystem has additional access control capability.
> You can forbid mknod/unlink /dev/null if you want nobody to do so.
> You can forbid chmod/chown /dev/null if you want nobody to do so.

You can forbid all operations on /dev (except udev) with an ACL.
So, what is the need for this filesystem?

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