linux-kernel - Re: [PATCH v2] Documentation/security-bugs: provide more information about linux-distros

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Message-ID: <201907181457.D61AC061C@keescook>
Date:   Thu, 18 Jul 2019 15:00:55 -0700
From:   Kees Cook <keescook@...omium.org>
To:     Sasha Levin <sashal@...nel.org>
Cc:     corbet@....net, solar@...nwall.com, will@...nel.org,
        peterz@...radead.org, gregkh@...uxfoundation.org,
        tyhicks@...onical.com, linux-doc@...r.kernel.org,
        linux-kernel@...r.kernel.org
Subject: Re: [PATCH v2] Documentation/security-bugs: provide more information
 about linux-distros

On Wed, Jul 17, 2019 at 07:11:03PM -0400, Sasha Levin wrote:
> Provide more information about how to interact with the linux-distros
> mailing list for disclosing security bugs.
> 
> Reference the linux-distros list policy and clarify that the reporter
> must read and understand those policies as they differ from
> security@...nel.org's policy.
> 
> Suggested-by: Solar Designer <solar@...nwall.com>
> Signed-off-by: Sasha Levin <sashal@...nel.org>

Sorry, but NACK, see below...

> ---
> 
> Changes in v2:
>  - Focus more on pointing to the linux-distros wiki and policies.

I think this is already happening in the text. What specifically do you
want described differently?

>  - Remove explicit linux-distros email.

I don't like this because we had past trouble with notifications going
to the distros@ list and leaking Linux-only flaws to the BSDs. As there
isn't a separate linux-distros wiki, the clarification of WHICH list is
needed.

>  - Remove various explanations of linux-distros policies.

I don't think there's value in removing the Tue-Thu comment, nor
providing context for why distros need time. This has been a regular
thing we've had to explain to researchers that aren't familiar with
update procedures and publication timing.

-Kees

> 
>  Documentation/admin-guide/security-bugs.rst | 19 +++++++++----------
>  1 file changed, 9 insertions(+), 10 deletions(-)
> 
> diff --git a/Documentation/admin-guide/security-bugs.rst b/Documentation/admin-guide/security-bugs.rst
> index dcd6c93c7aac..380d44fd618d 100644
> --- a/Documentation/admin-guide/security-bugs.rst
> +++ b/Documentation/admin-guide/security-bugs.rst
> @@ -60,16 +60,15 @@ Coordination
>  ------------
>  
>  Fixes for sensitive bugs, such as those that might lead to privilege
> -escalations, may need to be coordinated with the private
> -<linux-distros@...openwall.org> mailing list so that distribution vendors
> -are well prepared to issue a fixed kernel upon public disclosure of the
> -upstream fix. Distros will need some time to test the proposed patch and
> -will generally request at least a few days of embargo, and vendor update
> -publication prefers to happen Tuesday through Thursday. When appropriate,
> -the security team can assist with this coordination, or the reporter can
> -include linux-distros from the start. In this case, remember to prefix
> -the email Subject line with "[vs]" as described in the linux-distros wiki:
> -<http://oss-security.openwall.org/wiki/mailing-lists/distros#how-to-use-the-lists>
> +escalations, may need to be coordinated with the private linux-distros mailing
> +list so that distribution vendors are well prepared to issue a fixed kernel
> +upon public disclosure of the upstream fix. Please read and follow the policies
> +of linux-distros as specified in the linux-distros wiki page before reporting:
> +<https://oss-security.openwall.org/wiki/mailing-lists/distros>. When
> +appropriate, the security team can assist with this coordination, or the
> +reporter can include linux-distros from the start. In this case, remember to
> +prefix the email Subject line with "[vs]" as described in the linux-distros
> +wiki.
>  
>  CVE assignment
>  --------------
> -- 
> 2.20.1
> 

-- 
Kees Cook