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stack: Introduce CONFIG_RANDOMIZE_KSTACK_OFFSET

PATCH Superseded Marco Elver 3 participants 8 messages Jan 28, 2022 Kernel hardening (not covered by other areas)

v1 of 2 Superseded Latest is v2 →

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#0 lore raw

PATCH 1/2 stack: Introduce CONFIG_RANDOMIZE_KSTACK_OFFSET

The randomize_kstack_offset feature is unconditionally compiled in when the architecture supports it.

To add constraints on compiler versions, we require a dedicated Kconfig variable. Therefore, introduce RANDOMIZE_KSTACK_OFFSET.

Furthermore, this option is now also configurable by EXPERT kernels:
while the feature is supposed to have zero performance overhead when disabled, due to its use of static branches, there are few cases where giving a distribution the option to disable the feature entirely makes sense. For example, in very resource constrained environments, which would never enable the feature to begin with, in which case the additional kernel code size increase would be redundant.

---
 arch/Kconfig                     | 23 ++++++++++++++++++-----
 include/linux/randomize_kstack.h |  5 +++++
 init/main.c                      |  2 +-
 3 files changed, 24 insertions(+), 6 deletions(-)
arch/Kconfig +18 -5
index 678a80713b21..2cde48d9b77c 100644
@@ -1159,16 +1159,29 @@ config HAVE_ARCH_RANDOMIZE_KSTACK_OFFSET
 	  to the compiler, so it will attempt to add canary checks regardless
 	  of the static branch state.
 
-config RANDOMIZE_KSTACK_OFFSET_DEFAULT
-	bool "Randomize kernel stack offset on syscall entry"
+config RANDOMIZE_KSTACK_OFFSET
+	bool "Support for randomizing kernel stack offset on syscall entry" if EXPERT
+	default y
 	depends on HAVE_ARCH_RANDOMIZE_KSTACK_OFFSET
 	help
 	  The kernel stack offset can be randomized (after pt_regs) by
 	  roughly 5 bits of entropy, frustrating memory corruption
 	  attacks that depend on stack address determinism or
-	  cross-syscall address exposures. This feature is controlled
-	  by kernel boot param "randomize_kstack_offset=on/off", and this
-	  config chooses the default boot state.
+	  cross-syscall address exposures.
+
+	  The feature is controlled via the "randomize_kstack_offset=on/off"
+	  kernel boot param, and if turned off has zero overhead due to its use
+	  of static branches (see JUMP_LABEL).
+
+	  If unsure, say Y.
+
+config RANDOMIZE_KSTACK_OFFSET_DEFAULT
+	bool "Default state of kernel stack offset randomization"
+	depends on RANDOMIZE_KSTACK_OFFSET
+	help
+	  Kernel stack offset randomization is controlled by kernel boot param
+	  "randomize_kstack_offset=on/off", and this config chooses the default
+	  boot state.
 
 config ARCH_OPTIONAL_KERNEL_RWX
 	def_bool n
include/linux/randomize_kstack.h +5 -0
index bebc911161b6..91f1b990a3c3 100644
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 #ifndef _LINUX_RANDOMIZE_KSTACK_H
 #define _LINUX_RANDOMIZE_KSTACK_H
 
+#ifdef CONFIG_RANDOMIZE_KSTACK_OFFSET
 #include <linux/kernel.h>
 #include <linux/jump_label.h>
 #include <linux/percpu-defs.h>
@@ -50,5 +51,9 @@ void *__builtin_alloca(size_t size);
 		raw_cpu_write(kstack_offset, offset);			\
 	}								\
 } while (0)
+#else /* CONFIG_RANDOMIZE_KSTACK_OFFSET */
+#define add_random_kstack_offset()		do { } while (0)
+#define choose_random_kstack_offset(rand)	do { } while (0)
+#endif /* CONFIG_RANDOMIZE_KSTACK_OFFSET */
 
 #endif
init/main.c +1 -1
index 65fa2e41a9c0..560f45c27ffe 100644
@@ -853,7 +853,7 @@ static void __init mm_init(void)
 	pti_init();
 }
 
-#ifdef CONFIG_HAVE_ARCH_RANDOMIZE_KSTACK_OFFSET
+#ifdef CONFIG_RANDOMIZE_KSTACK_OFFSET
 DEFINE_STATIC_KEY_MAYBE_RO(CONFIG_RANDOMIZE_KSTACK_OFFSET_DEFAULT,
 			   randomize_kstack_offset);
 DEFINE_PER_CPU(u32, kstack_offset);
Signature · 1 line
2.35.0.rc0.227.g00780c9af4-goog
#1 lore raw

PATCH 2/2 stack: Constrain stack offset randomization with Clang builds

All supported versions of Clang perform auto-init of __builtin_alloca() when stack auto-init is on (CONFIG_INIT_STACK_ALL_{ZERO,PATTERN}).

add_random_kstack_offset() uses __builtin_alloca() to add a stack offset. This means, when CONFIG_INIT_STACK_ALL_{ZERO,PATTERN} is enabled, add_random_kstack_offset() will auto-init that unused portion of the stack used to add an offset.

There are several problems with this:

1. These offsets can be as large as 1023 bytes. Performing memset() on them isn't exactly cheap, and this is done on every syscall entry.

2. Architectures adding add_random_kstack_offset() to syscall entry implemented in C require them to be 'noinstr' (e.g. see x86 and s390). The potential problem here is that a call to memset may occur, which is not noinstr.

A x86_64 defconfig kernel with Clang 11 and CONFIG_VMLINUX_VALIDATION shows:

 | vmlinux.o: warning: objtool: do_syscall_64()+0x9d: call to memset() leaves .noinstr.text section
 | vmlinux.o: warning: objtool: do_int80_syscall_32()+0xab: call to memset() leaves .noinstr.text section
 | vmlinux.o: warning: objtool: __do_fast_syscall_32()+0xe2: call to memset() leaves .noinstr.text section
 | vmlinux.o: warning: objtool: fixup_bad_iret()+0x2f: call to memset() leaves .noinstr.text section

Clang 14 (unreleased) will introduce a way to skip alloca initialization via __builtin_alloca_uninitialized() (https://reviews.llvm.org/D115440).

Constrain RANDOMIZE_KSTACK_OFFSET to only be enabled if no stack auto-init is enabled, the compiler is GCC, or Clang is version 14+. Use __builtin_alloca_uninitialized() if the compiler provides it, as is done by Clang 14.

Fixes 39218ff4c625 ("stack: Optionally randomize kernel stack offset each syscall")
---
 arch/Kconfig                     |  1 +
 include/linux/randomize_kstack.h | 14 ++++++++++++--
 2 files changed, 13 insertions(+), 2 deletions(-)
arch/Kconfig +1 -0
index 2cde48d9b77c..c5b50bfe31c1 100644
@@ -1163,6 +1163,7 @@ config RANDOMIZE_KSTACK_OFFSET
 	bool "Support for randomizing kernel stack offset on syscall entry" if EXPERT
 	default y
 	depends on HAVE_ARCH_RANDOMIZE_KSTACK_OFFSET
+	depends on INIT_STACK_NONE || !CC_IS_CLANG || CLANG_VERSION >= 140000
 	help
 	  The kernel stack offset can be randomized (after pt_regs) by
 	  roughly 5 bits of entropy, frustrating memory corruption
include/linux/randomize_kstack.h +12 -2
index 91f1b990a3c3..5c711d73ed10 100644
@@ -17,8 +17,18 @@ DECLARE_PER_CPU(u32, kstack_offset);
  * alignment. Also, since this use is being explicitly masked to a max of
  * 10 bits, stack-clash style attacks are unlikely. For more details see
  * "VLAs" in Documentation/process/deprecated.rst
+ *
+ * The normal alloca() can be initialized with INIT_STACK_ALL. Initializing the
+ * unused area on each syscall entry is expensive, and generating an implicit
+ * call to memset() may also be problematic (such as in noinstr functions).
+ * Therefore, if the compiler provides it, use the "uninitialized" variant.
  */
-void *__builtin_alloca(size_t size);
+#if __has_builtin(__builtin_alloca_uninitialized)
+#define __kstack_alloca __builtin_alloca_uninitialized
+#else
+#define __kstack_alloca __builtin_alloca
+#endif
+
 /*
  * Use, at most, 10 bits of entropy. We explicitly cap this to keep the
  * "VLA" from being unbounded (see above). 10 bits leaves enough room for
@@ -37,7 +47,7 @@ void *__builtin_alloca(size_t size);
 	if (static_branch_maybe(CONFIG_RANDOMIZE_KSTACK_OFFSET_DEFAULT,	\
 				&randomize_kstack_offset)) {		\
 		u32 offset = raw_cpu_read(kstack_offset);		\
-		u8 *ptr = __builtin_alloca(KSTACK_OFFSET_MAX(offset));	\
+		u8 *ptr = __kstack_alloca(KSTACK_OFFSET_MAX(offset));	\
 		/* Keep allocation even after "ptr" loses scope. */	\
 		asm volatile("" :: "r"(ptr) : "memory");		\
 	}								\
Signature · 1 line
2.35.0.rc0.227.g00780c9af4-goog
Reviewed-by on v1 1/2
#7 lore raw
In reply to Marco Elver
Quoted 14 lines · Marco Elver

The randomize_kstack_offset feature is unconditionally compiled in when the architecture supports it.

To add constraints on compiler versions, we require a dedicated Kconfig variable. Therefore, introduce RANDOMIZE_KSTACK_OFFSET.

Furthermore, this option is now also configurable by EXPERT kernels:
while the feature is supposed to have zero performance overhead when disabled, due to its use of static branches, there are few cases where giving a distribution the option to disable the feature entirely makes sense. For example, in very resource constrained environments, which would never enable the feature to begin with, in which case the additional kernel code size increase would be redundant.

Quoted 1 line

From a Kconfig perspective:

Quoted 83 lines
---
 arch/Kconfig                     | 23 ++++++++++++++++++-----
 include/linux/randomize_kstack.h |  5 +++++
 init/main.c                      |  2 +-
 3 files changed, 24 insertions(+), 6 deletions(-)
arch/Kconfig +18 -5
index 678a80713b21..2cde48d9b77c 100644
@@ -1159,16 +1159,29 @@ config HAVE_ARCH_RANDOMIZE_KSTACK_OFFSET
 	  to the compiler, so it will attempt to add canary checks regardless
 	  of the static branch state.
 
-config RANDOMIZE_KSTACK_OFFSET_DEFAULT
-	bool "Randomize kernel stack offset on syscall entry"
+config RANDOMIZE_KSTACK_OFFSET
+	bool "Support for randomizing kernel stack offset on syscall entry" if EXPERT
+	default y
 	depends on HAVE_ARCH_RANDOMIZE_KSTACK_OFFSET
 	help
 	  The kernel stack offset can be randomized (after pt_regs) by
 	  roughly 5 bits of entropy, frustrating memory corruption
 	  attacks that depend on stack address determinism or
-	  cross-syscall address exposures. This feature is controlled
-	  by kernel boot param "randomize_kstack_offset=on/off", and this
-	  config chooses the default boot state.
+	  cross-syscall address exposures.
+
+	  The feature is controlled via the "randomize_kstack_offset=on/off"
+	  kernel boot param, and if turned off has zero overhead due to its use
+	  of static branches (see JUMP_LABEL).
+
+	  If unsure, say Y.
+
+config RANDOMIZE_KSTACK_OFFSET_DEFAULT
+	bool "Default state of kernel stack offset randomization"
+	depends on RANDOMIZE_KSTACK_OFFSET
+	help
+	  Kernel stack offset randomization is controlled by kernel boot param
+	  "randomize_kstack_offset=on/off", and this config chooses the default
+	  boot state.
 
 config ARCH_OPTIONAL_KERNEL_RWX
 	def_bool n
include/linux/randomize_kstack.h +5 -0
index bebc911161b6..91f1b990a3c3 100644
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 #ifndef _LINUX_RANDOMIZE_KSTACK_H
 #define _LINUX_RANDOMIZE_KSTACK_H
 
+#ifdef CONFIG_RANDOMIZE_KSTACK_OFFSET
 #include <linux/kernel.h>
 #include <linux/jump_label.h>
 #include <linux/percpu-defs.h>
@@ -50,5 +51,9 @@ void *__builtin_alloca(size_t size);
 		raw_cpu_write(kstack_offset, offset);			\
 	}								\
 } while (0)
+#else /* CONFIG_RANDOMIZE_KSTACK_OFFSET */
+#define add_random_kstack_offset()		do { } while (0)
+#define choose_random_kstack_offset(rand)	do { } while (0)
+#endif /* CONFIG_RANDOMIZE_KSTACK_OFFSET */
 
 #endif
init/main.c +1 -1
index 65fa2e41a9c0..560f45c27ffe 100644
@@ -853,7 +853,7 @@ static void __init mm_init(void)
 	pti_init();
 }
 
-#ifdef CONFIG_HAVE_ARCH_RANDOMIZE_KSTACK_OFFSET
+#ifdef CONFIG_RANDOMIZE_KSTACK_OFFSET
 DEFINE_STATIC_KEY_MAYBE_RO(CONFIG_RANDOMIZE_KSTACK_OFFSET_DEFAULT,
 			   randomize_kstack_offset);
 DEFINE_PER_CPU(u32, kstack_offset);
Signature · 1 line
2.35.0.rc0.227.g00780c9af4-goog
Reviewed-by on v1 2/2
#2 lore raw

Re: [PATCH 2/2] stack: Constrain stack offset randomization with Clang builds

In reply to Marco Elver
Quoted 29 lines · Marco Elver

All supported versions of Clang perform auto-init of __builtin_alloca() when stack auto-init is on (CONFIG_INIT_STACK_ALL_{ZERO,PATTERN}).

add_random_kstack_offset() uses __builtin_alloca() to add a stack offset. This means, when CONFIG_INIT_STACK_ALL_{ZERO,PATTERN} is enabled, add_random_kstack_offset() will auto-init that unused portion of the stack used to add an offset.

There are several problems with this:

1. These offsets can be as large as 1023 bytes. Performing memset() on them isn't exactly cheap, and this is done on every syscall entry.

2. Architectures adding add_random_kstack_offset() to syscall entry implemented in C require them to be 'noinstr' (e.g. see x86 and s390). The potential problem here is that a call to memset may occur, which is not noinstr.

A x86_64 defconfig kernel with Clang 11 and CONFIG_VMLINUX_VALIDATION shows:

 | vmlinux.o: warning: objtool: do_syscall_64()+0x9d: call to memset() leaves .noinstr.text section
 | vmlinux.o: warning: objtool: do_int80_syscall_32()+0xab: call to memset() leaves .noinstr.text section
 | vmlinux.o: warning: objtool: __do_fast_syscall_32()+0xe2: call to memset() leaves .noinstr.text section
 | vmlinux.o: warning: objtool: fixup_bad_iret()+0x2f: call to memset() leaves .noinstr.text section

Clang 14 (unreleased) will introduce a way to skip alloca initialization via __builtin_alloca_uninitialized() (https://reviews.llvm.org/D115440).

Quoted 8 lines

Constrain RANDOMIZE_KSTACK_OFFSET to only be enabled if no stack auto-init is enabled, the compiler is GCC, or Clang is version 14+. Use __builtin_alloca_uninitialized() if the compiler provides it, as is done by Clang 14.

Fixes 39218ff4c625 ("stack: Optionally randomize kernel stack offset each syscall")

One comment below.

Quoted 22 lines
---
 arch/Kconfig                     |  1 +
 include/linux/randomize_kstack.h | 14 ++++++++++++--
 2 files changed, 13 insertions(+), 2 deletions(-)
arch/Kconfig +1 -0
index 2cde48d9b77c..c5b50bfe31c1 100644
@@ -1163,6 +1163,7 @@ config RANDOMIZE_KSTACK_OFFSET
 	bool "Support for randomizing kernel stack offset on syscall entry" if EXPERT
 	default y
 	depends on HAVE_ARCH_RANDOMIZE_KSTACK_OFFSET
+	depends on INIT_STACK_NONE || !CC_IS_CLANG || CLANG_VERSION >= 140000
 	help
 	  The kernel stack offset can be randomized (after pt_regs) by
 	  roughly 5 bits of entropy, frustrating memory corruption
include/linux/randomize_kstack.h +0 -0
index 91f1b990a3c3..5c711d73ed10 100644

include/linux/randomize_kstack.h DECLARE_PER_CPU(u32, kstack_offset); · line 21

Quoted 10 lines
include/linux/randomize_kstack.h +5 -1
@@ -17,8 +17,18 @@ DECLARE_PER_CPU(u32, kstack_offset);
  * alignment. Also, since this use is being explicitly masked to a max of
  * 10 bits, stack-clash style attacks are unlikely. For more details see
  * "VLAs" in Documentation/process/deprecated.rst
+ *
+ * The normal alloca() can be initialized with INIT_STACK_ALL. Initializing the
+ * unused area on each syscall entry is expensive, and generating an implicit
+ * call to memset() may also be problematic (such as in noinstr functions).
+ * Therefore, if the compiler provides it, use the "uninitialized" variant.
  */
-void *__builtin_alloca(size_t size);

Is it okay to remove the declaration? Why was it even added in the first place (Kees)?

Quoted 22 lines
include/linux/randomize_kstack.h +7 -1
+#if __has_builtin(__builtin_alloca_uninitialized)
+#define __kstack_alloca __builtin_alloca_uninitialized
+#else
+#define __kstack_alloca __builtin_alloca
+#endif
+
 /*
  * Use, at most, 10 bits of entropy. We explicitly cap this to keep the
  * "VLA" from being unbounded (see above). 10 bits leaves enough room for
@@ -37,7 +47,7 @@ void *__builtin_alloca(size_t size);
 	if (static_branch_maybe(CONFIG_RANDOMIZE_KSTACK_OFFSET_DEFAULT,	\
 				&randomize_kstack_offset)) {		\
 		u32 offset = raw_cpu_read(kstack_offset);		\
-		u8 *ptr = __builtin_alloca(KSTACK_OFFSET_MAX(offset));	\
+		u8 *ptr = __kstack_alloca(KSTACK_OFFSET_MAX(offset));	\
 		/* Keep allocation even after "ptr" loses scope. */	\
 		asm volatile("" :: "r"(ptr) : "memory");		\
 	}								\
Signature · 1 line
2.35.0.rc0.227.g00780c9af4-goog
#4 lore raw

Re: [PATCH 2/2] stack: Constrain stack offset randomization with Clang builds

In reply to Marco Elver
Quoted 47 lines · Marco Elver

All supported versions of Clang perform auto-init of __builtin_alloca() when stack auto-init is on (CONFIG_INIT_STACK_ALL_{ZERO,PATTERN}).

add_random_kstack_offset() uses __builtin_alloca() to add a stack offset. This means, when CONFIG_INIT_STACK_ALL_{ZERO,PATTERN} is enabled, add_random_kstack_offset() will auto-init that unused portion of the stack used to add an offset.

There are several problems with this:

1. These offsets can be as large as 1023 bytes. Performing memset() on them isn't exactly cheap, and this is done on every syscall entry.

2. Architectures adding add_random_kstack_offset() to syscall entry implemented in C require them to be 'noinstr' (e.g. see x86 and s390). The potential problem here is that a call to memset may occur, which is not noinstr.

A x86_64 defconfig kernel with Clang 11 and CONFIG_VMLINUX_VALIDATION shows:

 | vmlinux.o: warning: objtool: do_syscall_64()+0x9d: call to memset() leaves .noinstr.text section
 | vmlinux.o: warning: objtool: do_int80_syscall_32()+0xab: call to memset() leaves .noinstr.text section
 | vmlinux.o: warning: objtool: __do_fast_syscall_32()+0xe2: call to memset() leaves .noinstr.text section
 | vmlinux.o: warning: objtool: fixup_bad_iret()+0x2f: call to memset() leaves .noinstr.text section

Clang 14 (unreleased) will introduce a way to skip alloca initialization via __builtin_alloca_uninitialized() (https://reviews.llvm.org/D115440).

Constrain RANDOMIZE_KSTACK_OFFSET to only be enabled if no stack auto-init is enabled, the compiler is GCC, or Clang is version 14+. Use __builtin_alloca_uninitialized() if the compiler provides it, as is done by Clang 14.

Fixes 39218ff4c625 ("stack: Optionally randomize kernel stack offset each syscall")
---
 arch/Kconfig                     |  1 +
 include/linux/randomize_kstack.h | 14 ++++++++++++--
 2 files changed, 13 insertions(+), 2 deletions(-)
arch/Kconfig +0 -0
index 2cde48d9b77c..c5b50bfe31c1 100644

arch/Kconfig config RANDOMIZE_KSTACK_OFFSET · line 1166

Quoted 4 lines
arch/Kconfig +1 -0
@@ -1163,6 +1163,7 @@ config RANDOMIZE_KSTACK_OFFSET
 	bool "Support for randomizing kernel stack offset on syscall entry" if EXPERT
 	default y
 	depends on HAVE_ARCH_RANDOMIZE_KSTACK_OFFSET
+	depends on INIT_STACK_NONE || !CC_IS_CLANG || CLANG_VERSION >= 140000

This makes it _unavailable_ for folks with Clang < 14, which seems too strong, especially since it's run-time off by default. I'd prefer dropping this hunk and adding some language to the _DEFAULT help noting the specific performance impact on Clang < 14.

Quoted 8 lines
arch/Kconfig +0 -0
 	help
 	  The kernel stack offset can be randomized (after pt_regs) by
 	  roughly 5 bits of entropy, frustrating memory corruption
include/linux/randomize_kstack.h +0 -0
index 91f1b990a3c3..5c711d73ed10 100644

include/linux/randomize_kstack.h DECLARE_PER_CPU(u32, kstack_offset); · line 24

Quoted 8 lines
include/linux/randomize_kstack.h +5 -0
@@ -17,8 +17,18 @@ DECLARE_PER_CPU(u32, kstack_offset);
  * alignment. Also, since this use is being explicitly masked to a max of
  * 10 bits, stack-clash style attacks are unlikely. For more details see
  * "VLAs" in Documentation/process/deprecated.rst
+ *
+ * The normal alloca() can be initialized with INIT_STACK_ALL. Initializing the
+ * unused area on each syscall entry is expensive, and generating an implicit
+ * call to memset() may also be problematic (such as in noinstr functions).
+ * Therefore, if the compiler provides it, use the "uninitialized" variant.

Can you include the note that GCC doesn't initialize its alloca()?

Otherwise, yeah, looks good to me.

-Kees

Quoted 23 lines
include/linux/randomize_kstack.h +7 -2
  */
-void *__builtin_alloca(size_t size);
+#if __has_builtin(__builtin_alloca_uninitialized)
+#define __kstack_alloca __builtin_alloca_uninitialized
+#else
+#define __kstack_alloca __builtin_alloca
+#endif
+
 /*
  * Use, at most, 10 bits of entropy. We explicitly cap this to keep the
  * "VLA" from being unbounded (see above). 10 bits leaves enough room for
@@ -37,7 +47,7 @@ void *__builtin_alloca(size_t size);
 	if (static_branch_maybe(CONFIG_RANDOMIZE_KSTACK_OFFSET_DEFAULT,	\
 				&randomize_kstack_offset)) {		\
 		u32 offset = raw_cpu_read(kstack_offset);		\
-		u8 *ptr = __builtin_alloca(KSTACK_OFFSET_MAX(offset));	\
+		u8 *ptr = __kstack_alloca(KSTACK_OFFSET_MAX(offset));	\
 		/* Keep allocation even after "ptr" loses scope. */	\
 		asm volatile("" :: "r"(ptr) : "memory");		\
 	}								\
Signature · 1 line
2.35.0.rc0.227.g00780c9af4-goog
Signature · 1 line
Kees Cook
#3 lore raw

Re: [PATCH 2/2] stack: Constrain stack offset randomization with Clang builds

In reply to Nathan Chancellor

On Fri, 28 Jan 2022 at 19:55, Nathan Chancellor <[email protected]> wrote:
[...]

Quoted 4 lines

One comment below.

Thanks!

Though with Kees's requested changes I'll probably let you re-review it.

Quoted 27 lines
Quoted 27 lines
---
 arch/Kconfig                     |  1 +
 include/linux/randomize_kstack.h | 14 ++++++++++++--
 2 files changed, 13 insertions(+), 2 deletions(-)
arch/Kconfig +1 -0
index 2cde48d9b77c..c5b50bfe31c1 100644
@@ -1163,6 +1163,7 @@ config RANDOMIZE_KSTACK_OFFSET
      bool "Support for randomizing kernel stack offset on syscall entry" if EXPERT
      default y
      depends on HAVE_ARCH_RANDOMIZE_KSTACK_OFFSET
+     depends on INIT_STACK_NONE || !CC_IS_CLANG || CLANG_VERSION >= 140000
      help
        The kernel stack offset can be randomized (after pt_regs) by
        roughly 5 bits of entropy, frustrating memory corruption
include/linux/randomize_kstack.h +2 -0
index 91f1b990a3c3..5c711d73ed10 100644
@@ -17,8 +17,18 @@ DECLARE_PER_CPU(u32, kstack_offset);
  * alignment. Also, since this use is being explicitly masked to a max of
  * 10 bits, stack-clash style attacks are unlikely. For more details see
  * "VLAs" in Documentation/process/deprecated.rst
+ *
+ * The normal alloca() can be initialized with INIT_STACK_ALL. Initializing the
Quoted 8 lines

include/linux/randomize_kstack.h DECLARE_PER_CPU(u32, kstack_offset); · line 21

Quoted 5 lines
include/linux/randomize_kstack.h +3 -1
+ * unused area on each syscall entry is expensive, and generating an implicit
+ * call to memset() may also be problematic (such as in noinstr functions).
+ * Therefore, if the compiler provides it, use the "uninitialized" variant.
  */
-void *__builtin_alloca(size_t size);

Is it okay to remove the declaration? Why was it even added in the first place (Kees)?

Declaring __builtins is redundant for as long as I remember.

#5 lore raw

Re: [PATCH 2/2] stack: Constrain stack offset randomization with Clang builds

In reply to Kees Cook

On Fri, 28 Jan 2022 at 20:10, Kees Cook <[email protected]> wrote:
[...]

Quoted 4 lines
Quoted 4 lines

2. Architectures adding add_random_kstack_offset() to syscall entry implemented in C require them to be 'noinstr' (e.g. see x86 and s390). The potential problem here is that a call to memset may occur, which is not noinstr.

[...]

Quoted 4 lines
Quoted 4 lines
arch/Kconfig +0 -0
@@ -1163,6 +1163,7 @@ config RANDOMIZE_KSTACK_OFFSET
      bool "Support for randomizing kernel stack offset on syscall entry" if EXPERT
Quoted 8 lines

arch/Kconfig config RANDOMIZE_KSTACK_OFFSET · line 1166

Quoted 3 lines
arch/Kconfig +1 -0
      default y
      depends on HAVE_ARCH_RANDOMIZE_KSTACK_OFFSET
+     depends on INIT_STACK_NONE || !CC_IS_CLANG || CLANG_VERSION >= 140000

This makes it _unavailable_ for folks with Clang < 14, which seems too strong, especially since it's run-time off by default. I'd prefer dropping this hunk and adding some language to the _DEFAULT help noting the specific performance impact on Clang < 14.

You're right, if it was only about performance. But there's the correctness issue with ARCH_WANTS_NOINSTR architectures, where we really shouldn't emit a call. In those cases, even if compiled in, enabling the feature may cause trouble.

That's how this got on my radar in the first place (the objtool warnings).

So my proposal is to add another "|| !ARCH_WANTS_NO_INSTR", and add the performance note to the help text for the !ARCH_WANTS_NO_INSTR case if Clang < 14.

Is that reasonable?

Sadly both arm64 and x86 are ARCH_WANTS_NO_INSTR. :-/

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arch/Kconfig +0 -0
      help
        The kernel stack offset can be randomized (after pt_regs) by
        roughly 5 bits of entropy, frustrating memory corruption
include/linux/randomize_kstack.h +0 -0
index 91f1b990a3c3..5c711d73ed10 100644
@@ -17,8 +17,18 @@ DECLARE_PER_CPU(u32, kstack_offset);
  * alignment. Also, since this use is being explicitly masked to a max of
  * 10 bits, stack-clash style attacks are unlikely. For more details see
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include/linux/randomize_kstack.h DECLARE_PER_CPU(u32, kstack_offset); · line 24

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include/linux/randomize_kstack.h +5 -0
  * "VLAs" in Documentation/process/deprecated.rst
+ *
+ * The normal alloca() can be initialized with INIT_STACK_ALL. Initializing the
+ * unused area on each syscall entry is expensive, and generating an implicit
+ * call to memset() may also be problematic (such as in noinstr functions).
+ * Therefore, if the compiler provides it, use the "uninitialized" variant.

Can you include the note that GCC doesn't initialize its alloca()?

I'm guessing this won't change any time soon, so probably adding it in the code comment is ok.

Thanks,
-- Marco

#6 lore raw

Re: [PATCH 2/2] stack: Constrain stack offset randomization with Clang builds

Quoted 20 lines · Marco Elver

On Fri, 28 Jan 2022 at 20:10, Kees Cook <[email protected]> wrote:
[...]

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2. Architectures adding add_random_kstack_offset() to syscall entry implemented in C require them to be 'noinstr' (e.g. see x86 and s390). The potential problem here is that a call to memset may occur, which is not noinstr.

[...]

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arch/Kconfig +0 -0
@@ -1163,6 +1163,7 @@ config RANDOMIZE_KSTACK_OFFSET
      bool "Support for randomizing kernel stack offset on syscall entry" if EXPERT
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arch/Kconfig config RANDOMIZE_KSTACK_OFFSET · line 1166

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arch/Kconfig +1 -0
      default y
      depends on HAVE_ARCH_RANDOMIZE_KSTACK_OFFSET
+     depends on INIT_STACK_NONE || !CC_IS_CLANG || CLANG_VERSION >= 140000

This makes it _unavailable_ for folks with Clang < 14, which seems too strong, especially since it's run-time off by default. I'd prefer dropping this hunk and adding some language to the _DEFAULT help noting the specific performance impact on Clang < 14.

Quoted 4 lines

You're right, if it was only about performance. But there's the correctness issue with ARCH_WANTS_NOINSTR architectures, where we really shouldn't emit a call. In those cases, even if compiled in, enabling the feature may cause trouble.

Hrm. While I suspect instrumentation of memset() from a C function that is about to turn on instrumentation is likely quite safe, I guess the size of the venn diagram overlap of folks wanting to use kstack randomization and an older Clang quickly approaches zero. But everyone building with an older Clang gets warnings spewed, so I agree: let's opt for complete correctness here, and make this >= 14 as you have done.

Signature · 1 line
Kees Cook