linux-kernel - Re: [PATCH v4 3/5] security: Allow all LSMs to provide xattrs for inode_init

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Date:   Mon, 21 Nov 2022 15:58:05 -0500
From:   Mimi Zohar <zohar@...ux.ibm.com>
To:     Roberto Sassu <roberto.sassu@...weicloud.com>,
        Casey Schaufler <casey@...aufler-ca.com>,
        dmitry.kasatkin@...il.com, paul@...l-moore.com, jmorris@...ei.org,
        serge@...lyn.com, stephen.smalley.work@...il.com,
        eparis@...isplace.org
Cc:     linux-integrity@...r.kernel.org,
        linux-security-module@...r.kernel.org, selinux@...r.kernel.org,
        reiserfs-devel@...r.kernel.org, linux-kernel@...r.kernel.org,
        keescook@...omium.org, nicolas.bouchinet@...p-os.org,
        Roberto Sassu <roberto.sassu@...wei.com>
Subject: Re: [PATCH v4 3/5] security: Allow all LSMs to provide xattrs for
 inode_init_security hook

On Mon, 2022-11-21 at 14:29 +0100, Roberto Sassu wrote:
> On Fri, 2022-11-18 at 09:31 -0800, Casey Schaufler wrote:
> > On 11/18/2022 7:10 AM, Mimi Zohar wrote:
> > > On Fri, 2022-11-18 at 10:14 +0100, Roberto Sassu wrote:
> > > > > > +static int security_check_compact_xattrs(struct xattr *xattrs,
> > > > > > +                                     int num_xattrs, int *checked_xattrs)
> > > > > Perhaps the variable naming is off, making it difficult to read.   So
> > > > > although this is a static function, which normally doesn't require a
> > > > > comment, it's definitely needs one.
> > > > Ok, will improve it.
> > > > 
> > > > > > +{
> > > > > > +    int i;
> > > > > > +
> > > > > > +    for (i = *checked_xattrs; i < num_xattrs; i++) {
> > > > > If the number of "checked" xattrs was kept up to date, removing the
> > > > > empty xattr gaps wouldn't require a loop.  Is the purpose of this loop
> > > > > to support multiple per LSM xattrs?
> > > > An LSM might reserve one or more xattrs, but not set it/them (for 
> > > > example because it is not initialized). In this case, removing the gaps 
> > > > is needed for all subsequent LSMs.
> > > Including this sort of info in the function description or as a comment
> > > in the code would definitely simplify review.
> > > 
> > > security_check_compact_xattrs() is called in the loop after getting
> > > each LSM's xattr(s).  Only the current LSMs xattrs need to be
> > > compressed, yet the loop goes to the maximum number of xattrs each
> > > time. Just wondering if there is a way of improving it.
> > 
> > At security module registration each module could identify how
> > many xattrs it uses. That number could be used to limit the range
> > of the loop. I have to do similar things for the forthcoming LSM
> > syscalls and module stacking beyond that.
> 
> Yes, blob_sizes.lbs_xattr contains the total number of xattrs requested
> by LSMs. To stop the loop earlier, at the offset of the next LSM, we
> would need to search the LSM's lsm_info, using the LSM name in
> the security_hook_list structure. Although it is not optimal, not doing
> it makes the code simpler. I could do that, if preferred.

Either way is fine, as long as the code is readable.  At minimum add a
comment.

-- 
thanks,

Mimi