linux-kernel - EFI mixed mode + perf = rampant triple faults

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Date:	Wed, 17 Dec 2014 08:51:52 -0800
From:	Andy Lutomirski <luto@...capital.net>
To:	linux-efi@...r.kernel.ogr, LKML <linux-kernel@...r.kernel.org>
Subject: EFI mixed mode + perf = rampant triple faults

I figured I should send this email before I forget about this issue:

If you run perf record across any EFI mixed mode call or otherwise
receive an NMI or MCE, the machine triple-faults.  The cause is
straightforward: there is no valid IDT when we have long mode disabled
for the duration of the EFI call.

As far as I know, the only way to have continuously functional interrupt
handling across a long mode transition is to install an interrupt vector
table and hope that CPUs actually do something intelligent when
receiving an interrupt with LME=1, LMA=1, and PG=0.  Yuck.

Could we get away with issuing 32-bit EFI calls in compat mode, i.e.
with a 32-bit CPL0 CS but while still in long mode?  I think that
delivery of an IST interrupt (which includes both NMI and MCE) will
correctly switch to a fully valid 64-bit state and would correctly
switch back when we execute IRET at the end.  (Am I missing some reason
that switching bitness without a privilege level change doesn't work
well?  I haven't thought of anything, other than the lack of SS controls
on intra-ring interrupts, but that shouldn't be an issue here.)

As an added benefit, this would considerably simplify the code.

--Andy
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