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| -rw-r--r-- | Documentation/livepatch/callbacks.rst | 133 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | Documentation/livepatch/cumulative-patches.rst | 102 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | Documentation/livepatch/index.rst | 22 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | Documentation/livepatch/livepatch.rst | 461 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | Documentation/livepatch/module-elf-format.rst | 315 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | Documentation/livepatch/shadow-vars.rst | 226 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | Documentation/livepatch/system-state.rst | 167 |
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diff --git a/Documentation/livepatch/callbacks.rst b/Documentation/livepatch/callbacks.rst new file mode 100644 index 000000000..470944aa8 --- /dev/null +++ b/Documentation/livepatch/callbacks.rst @@ -0,0 +1,133 @@ +====================== +(Un)patching Callbacks +====================== + +Livepatch (un)patch-callbacks provide a mechanism for livepatch modules +to execute callback functions when a kernel object is (un)patched. They +can be considered a **power feature** that **extends livepatching abilities** +to include: + + - Safe updates to global data + + - "Patches" to init and probe functions + + - Patching otherwise unpatchable code (i.e. assembly) + +In most cases, (un)patch callbacks will need to be used in conjunction +with memory barriers and kernel synchronization primitives, like +mutexes/spinlocks, or even stop_machine(), to avoid concurrency issues. + +1. Motivation +============= + +Callbacks differ from existing kernel facilities: + + - Module init/exit code doesn't run when disabling and re-enabling a + patch. + + - A module notifier can't stop a to-be-patched module from loading. + +Callbacks are part of the klp_object structure and their implementation +is specific to that klp_object. Other livepatch objects may or may not +be patched, irrespective of the target klp_object's current state. + +2. Callback types +================= + +Callbacks can be registered for the following livepatch actions: + + * Pre-patch + - before a klp_object is patched + + * Post-patch + - after a klp_object has been patched and is active + across all tasks + + * Pre-unpatch + - before a klp_object is unpatched (ie, patched code is + active), used to clean up post-patch callback + resources + + * Post-unpatch + - after a klp_object has been patched, all code has + been restored and no tasks are running patched code, + used to cleanup pre-patch callback resources + +3. How it works +=============== + +Each callback is optional, omitting one does not preclude specifying any +other. However, the livepatching core executes the handlers in +symmetry: pre-patch callbacks have a post-unpatch counterpart and +post-patch callbacks have a pre-unpatch counterpart. An unpatch +callback will only be executed if its corresponding patch callback was +executed. Typical use cases pair a patch handler that acquires and +configures resources with an unpatch handler tears down and releases +those same resources. + +A callback is only executed if its host klp_object is loaded. For +in-kernel vmlinux targets, this means that callbacks will always execute +when a livepatch is enabled/disabled. For patch target kernel modules, +callbacks will only execute if the target module is loaded. When a +module target is (un)loaded, its callbacks will execute only if the +livepatch module is enabled. + +The pre-patch callback, if specified, is expected to return a status +code (0 for success, -ERRNO on error). An error status code indicates +to the livepatching core that patching of the current klp_object is not +safe and to stop the current patching request. (When no pre-patch +callback is provided, the transition is assumed to be safe.) If a +pre-patch callback returns failure, the kernel's module loader will: + + - Refuse to load a livepatch, if the livepatch is loaded after + targeted code. + + or: + + - Refuse to load a module, if the livepatch was already successfully + loaded. + +No post-patch, pre-unpatch, or post-unpatch callbacks will be executed +for a given klp_object if the object failed to patch, due to a failed +pre_patch callback or for any other reason. + +If a patch transition is reversed, no pre-unpatch handlers will be run +(this follows the previously mentioned symmetry -- pre-unpatch callbacks +will only occur if their corresponding post-patch callback executed). + +If the object did successfully patch, but the patch transition never +started for some reason (e.g., if another object failed to patch), +only the post-unpatch callback will be called. + +4. Use cases +============ + +Sample livepatch modules demonstrating the callback API can be found in +samples/livepatch/ directory. These samples were modified for use in +kselftests and can be found in the lib/livepatch directory. + +Global data update +------------------ + +A pre-patch callback can be useful to update a global variable. For +example, 75ff39ccc1bd ("tcp: make challenge acks less predictable") +changes a global sysctl, as well as patches the tcp_send_challenge_ack() +function. + +In this case, if we're being super paranoid, it might make sense to +patch the data *after* patching is complete with a post-patch callback, +so that tcp_send_challenge_ack() could first be changed to read +sysctl_tcp_challenge_ack_limit with READ_ONCE. + +__init and probe function patches support +----------------------------------------- + +Although __init and probe functions are not directly livepatch-able, it +may be possible to implement similar updates via pre/post-patch +callbacks. + +The commit ``48900cb6af42 ("virtio-net: drop NETIF_F_FRAGLIST")`` change the way that +virtnet_probe() initialized its driver's net_device features. A +pre/post-patch callback could iterate over all such devices, making a +similar change to their hw_features value. (Client functions of the +value may need to be updated accordingly.) diff --git a/Documentation/livepatch/cumulative-patches.rst b/Documentation/livepatch/cumulative-patches.rst new file mode 100644 index 000000000..1931f3189 --- /dev/null +++ b/Documentation/livepatch/cumulative-patches.rst @@ -0,0 +1,102 @@ +=================================== +Atomic Replace & Cumulative Patches +=================================== + +There might be dependencies between livepatches. If multiple patches need +to do different changes to the same function(s) then we need to define +an order in which the patches will be installed. And function implementations +from any newer livepatch must be done on top of the older ones. + +This might become a maintenance nightmare. Especially when more patches +modified the same function in different ways. + +An elegant solution comes with the feature called "Atomic Replace". It allows +creation of so called "Cumulative Patches". They include all wanted changes +from all older livepatches and completely replace them in one transition. + +Usage +----- + +The atomic replace can be enabled by setting "replace" flag in struct klp_patch, +for example:: + + static struct klp_patch patch = { + .mod = THIS_MODULE, + .objs = objs, + .replace = true, + }; + +All processes are then migrated to use the code only from the new patch. +Once the transition is finished, all older patches are automatically +disabled. + +Ftrace handlers are transparently removed from functions that are no +longer modified by the new cumulative patch. + +As a result, the livepatch authors might maintain sources only for one +cumulative patch. It helps to keep the patch consistent while adding or +removing various fixes or features. + +Users could keep only the last patch installed on the system after +the transition to has finished. It helps to clearly see what code is +actually in use. Also the livepatch might then be seen as a "normal" +module that modifies the kernel behavior. The only difference is that +it can be updated at runtime without breaking its functionality. + + +Features +-------- + +The atomic replace allows: + + - Atomically revert some functions in a previous patch while + upgrading other functions. + + - Remove eventual performance impact caused by core redirection + for functions that are no longer patched. + + - Decrease user confusion about dependencies between livepatches. + + +Limitations: +------------ + + - Once the operation finishes, there is no straightforward way + to reverse it and restore the replaced patches atomically. + + A good practice is to set .replace flag in any released livepatch. + Then re-adding an older livepatch is equivalent to downgrading + to that patch. This is safe as long as the livepatches do _not_ do + extra modifications in (un)patching callbacks or in the module_init() + or module_exit() functions, see below. + + Also note that the replaced patch can be removed and loaded again + only when the transition was not forced. + + + - Only the (un)patching callbacks from the _new_ cumulative livepatch are + executed. Any callbacks from the replaced patches are ignored. + + In other words, the cumulative patch is responsible for doing any actions + that are necessary to properly replace any older patch. + + As a result, it might be dangerous to replace newer cumulative patches by + older ones. The old livepatches might not provide the necessary callbacks. + + This might be seen as a limitation in some scenarios. But it makes life + easier in many others. Only the new cumulative livepatch knows what + fixes/features are added/removed and what special actions are necessary + for a smooth transition. + + In any case, it would be a nightmare to think about the order of + the various callbacks and their interactions if the callbacks from all + enabled patches were called. + + + - There is no special handling of shadow variables. Livepatch authors + must create their own rules how to pass them from one cumulative + patch to the other. Especially that they should not blindly remove + them in module_exit() functions. + + A good practice might be to remove shadow variables in the post-unpatch + callback. It is called only when the livepatch is properly disabled. diff --git a/Documentation/livepatch/index.rst b/Documentation/livepatch/index.rst new file mode 100644 index 000000000..525944063 --- /dev/null +++ b/Documentation/livepatch/index.rst @@ -0,0 +1,22 @@ +.. SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0 + +=================== +Kernel Livepatching +=================== + +.. toctree:: + :maxdepth: 1 + + livepatch + callbacks + cumulative-patches + module-elf-format + shadow-vars + system-state + +.. only:: subproject and html + + Indices + ======= + + * :ref:`genindex` diff --git a/Documentation/livepatch/livepatch.rst b/Documentation/livepatch/livepatch.rst new file mode 100644 index 000000000..c2c598c4e --- /dev/null +++ b/Documentation/livepatch/livepatch.rst @@ -0,0 +1,461 @@ +========= +Livepatch +========= + +This document outlines basic information about kernel livepatching. + +.. Table of Contents: + + 1. Motivation + 2. Kprobes, Ftrace, Livepatching + 3. Consistency model + 4. Livepatch module + 4.1. New functions + 4.2. Metadata + 5. Livepatch life-cycle + 5.1. Loading + 5.2. Enabling + 5.3. Replacing + 5.4. Disabling + 5.5. Removing + 6. Sysfs + 7. Limitations + + +1. Motivation +============= + +There are many situations where users are reluctant to reboot a system. It may +be because their system is performing complex scientific computations or under +heavy load during peak usage. In addition to keeping systems up and running, +users want to also have a stable and secure system. Livepatching gives users +both by allowing for function calls to be redirected; thus, fixing critical +functions without a system reboot. + + +2. Kprobes, Ftrace, Livepatching +================================ + +There are multiple mechanisms in the Linux kernel that are directly related +to redirection of code execution; namely: kernel probes, function tracing, +and livepatching: + + - The kernel probes are the most generic. The code can be redirected by + putting a breakpoint instruction instead of any instruction. + + - The function tracer calls the code from a predefined location that is + close to the function entry point. This location is generated by the + compiler using the '-pg' gcc option. + + - Livepatching typically needs to redirect the code at the very beginning + of the function entry before the function parameters or the stack + are in any way modified. + +All three approaches need to modify the existing code at runtime. Therefore +they need to be aware of each other and not step over each other's toes. +Most of these problems are solved by using the dynamic ftrace framework as +a base. A Kprobe is registered as a ftrace handler when the function entry +is probed, see CONFIG_KPROBES_ON_FTRACE. Also an alternative function from +a live patch is called with the help of a custom ftrace handler. But there are +some limitations, see below. + + +3. Consistency model +==================== + +Functions are there for a reason. They take some input parameters, get or +release locks, read, process, and even write some data in a defined way, +have return values. In other words, each function has a defined semantic. + +Many fixes do not change the semantic of the modified functions. For +example, they add a NULL pointer or a boundary check, fix a race by adding +a missing memory barrier, or add some locking around a critical section. +Most of these changes are self contained and the function presents itself +the same way to the rest of the system. In this case, the functions might +be updated independently one by one. + +But there are more complex fixes. For example, a patch might change +ordering of locking in multiple functions at the same time. Or a patch +might exchange meaning of some temporary structures and update +all the relevant functions. In this case, the affected unit +(thread, whole kernel) need to start using all new versions of +the functions at the same time. Also the switch must happen only +when it is safe to do so, e.g. when the affected locks are released +or no data are stored in the modified structures at the moment. + +The theory about how to apply functions a safe way is rather complex. +The aim is to define a so-called consistency model. It attempts to define +conditions when the new implementation could be used so that the system +stays consistent. + +Livepatch has a consistency model which is a hybrid of kGraft and +kpatch: it uses kGraft's per-task consistency and syscall barrier +switching combined with kpatch's stack trace switching. There are also +a number of fallback options which make it quite flexible. + +Patches are applied on a per-task basis, when the task is deemed safe to +switch over. When a patch is enabled, livepatch enters into a +transition state where tasks are converging to the patched state. +Usually this transition state can complete in a few seconds. The same +sequence occurs when a patch is disabled, except the tasks converge from +the patched state to the unpatched state. + +An interrupt handler inherits the patched state of the task it +interrupts. The same is true for forked tasks: the child inherits the +patched state of the parent. + +Livepatch uses several complementary approaches to determine when it's +safe to patch tasks: + +1. The first and most effective approach is stack checking of sleeping + tasks. If no affected functions are on the stack of a given task, + the task is patched. In most cases this will patch most or all of + the tasks on the first try. Otherwise it'll keep trying + periodically. This option is only available if the architecture has + reliable stacks (HAVE_RELIABLE_STACKTRACE). + +2. The second approach, if needed, is kernel exit switching. A + task is switched when it returns to user space from a system call, a + user space IRQ, or a signal. It's useful in the following cases: + + a) Patching I/O-bound user tasks which are sleeping on an affected + function. In this case you have to send SIGSTOP and SIGCONT to + force it to exit the kernel and be patched. + b) Patching CPU-bound user tasks. If the task is highly CPU-bound + then it will get patched the next time it gets interrupted by an + IRQ. + +3. For idle "swapper" tasks, since they don't ever exit the kernel, they + instead have a klp_update_patch_state() call in the idle loop which + allows them to be patched before the CPU enters the idle state. + + (Note there's not yet such an approach for kthreads.) + +Architectures which don't have HAVE_RELIABLE_STACKTRACE solely rely on +the second approach. It's highly likely that some tasks may still be +running with an old version of the function, until that function +returns. In this case you would have to signal the tasks. This +especially applies to kthreads. They may not be woken up and would need +to be forced. See below for more information. + +Unless we can come up with another way to patch kthreads, architectures +without HAVE_RELIABLE_STACKTRACE are not considered fully supported by +the kernel livepatching. + +The /sys/kernel/livepatch/<patch>/transition file shows whether a patch +is in transition. Only a single patch can be in transition at a given +time. A patch can remain in transition indefinitely, if any of the tasks +are stuck in the initial patch state. + +A transition can be reversed and effectively canceled by writing the +opposite value to the /sys/kernel/livepatch/<patch>/enabled file while +the transition is in progress. Then all the tasks will attempt to +converge back to the original patch state. + +There's also a /proc/<pid>/patch_state file which can be used to +determine which tasks are blocking completion of a patching operation. +If a patch is in transition, this file shows 0 to indicate the task is +unpatched and 1 to indicate it's patched. Otherwise, if no patch is in +transition, it shows -1. Any tasks which are blocking the transition +can be signaled with SIGSTOP and SIGCONT to force them to change their +patched state. This may be harmful to the system though. Sending a fake signal +to all remaining blocking tasks is a better alternative. No proper signal is +actually delivered (there is no data in signal pending structures). Tasks are +interrupted or woken up, and forced to change their patched state. The fake +signal is automatically sent every 15 seconds. + +Administrator can also affect a transition through +/sys/kernel/livepatch/<patch>/force attribute. Writing 1 there clears +TIF_PATCH_PENDING flag of all tasks and thus forces the tasks to the patched +state. Important note! The force attribute is intended for cases when the +transition gets stuck for a long time because of a blocking task. Administrator +is expected to collect all necessary data (namely stack traces of such blocking +tasks) and request a clearance from a patch distributor to force the transition. +Unauthorized usage may cause harm to the system. It depends on the nature of the +patch, which functions are (un)patched, and which functions the blocking tasks +are sleeping in (/proc/<pid>/stack may help here). Removal (rmmod) of patch +modules is permanently disabled when the force feature is used. It cannot be +guaranteed there is no task sleeping in such module. It implies unbounded +reference count if a patch module is disabled and enabled in a loop. + +Moreover, the usage of force may also affect future applications of live +patches and cause even more harm to the system. Administrator should first +consider to simply cancel a transition (see above). If force is used, reboot +should be planned and no more live patches applied. + +3.1 Adding consistency model support to new architectures +--------------------------------------------------------- + +For adding consistency model support to new architectures, there are a +few options: + +1) Add CONFIG_HAVE_RELIABLE_STACKTRACE. This means porting objtool, and + for non-DWARF unwinders, also making sure there's a way for the stack + tracing code to detect interrupts on the stack. + +2) Alternatively, ensure that every kthread has a call to + klp_update_patch_state() in a safe location. Kthreads are typically + in an infinite loop which does some action repeatedly. The safe + location to switch the kthread's patch state would be at a designated + point in the loop where there are no locks taken and all data + structures are in a well-defined state. + + The location is clear when using workqueues or the kthread worker + API. These kthreads process independent actions in a generic loop. + + It's much more complicated with kthreads which have a custom loop. + There the safe location must be carefully selected on a case-by-case + basis. + + In that case, arches without HAVE_RELIABLE_STACKTRACE would still be + able to use the non-stack-checking parts of the consistency model: + + a) patching user tasks when they cross the kernel/user space + boundary; and + + b) patching kthreads and idle tasks at their designated patch points. + + This option isn't as good as option 1 because it requires signaling + user tasks and waking kthreads to patch them. But it could still be + a good backup option for those architectures which don't have + reliable stack traces yet. + + +4. Livepatch module +=================== + +Livepatches are distributed using kernel modules, see +samples/livepatch/livepatch-sample.c. + +The module includes a new implementation of functions that we want +to replace. In addition, it defines some structures describing the +relation between the original and the new implementation. Then there +is code that makes the kernel start using the new code when the livepatch +module is loaded. Also there is code that cleans up before the +livepatch module is removed. All this is explained in more details in +the next sections. + + +4.1. New functions +------------------ + +New versions of functions are typically just copied from the original +sources. A good practice is to add a prefix to the names so that they +can be distinguished from the original ones, e.g. in a backtrace. Also +they can be declared as static because they are not called directly +and do not need the global visibility. + +The patch contains only functions that are really modified. But they +might want to access functions or data from the original source file +that may only be locally accessible. This can be solved by a special +relocation section in the generated livepatch module, see +Documentation/livepatch/module-elf-format.rst for more details. + + +4.2. Metadata +------------- + +The patch is described by several structures that split the information +into three levels: + + - struct klp_func is defined for each patched function. It describes + the relation between the original and the new implementation of a + particular function. + + The structure includes the name, as a string, of the original function. + The function address is found via kallsyms at runtime. + + Then it includes the address of the new function. It is defined + directly by assigning the function pointer. Note that the new + function is typically defined in the same source file. + + As an optional parameter, the symbol position in the kallsyms database can + be used to disambiguate functions of the same name. This is not the + absolute position in the database, but rather the order it has been found + only for a particular object ( vmlinux or a kernel module ). Note that + kallsyms allows for searching symbols according to the object name. + + - struct klp_object defines an array of patched functions (struct + klp_func) in the same object. Where the object is either vmlinux + (NULL) or a module name. + + The structure helps to group and handle functions for each object + together. Note that patched modules might be loaded later than + the patch itself and the relevant functions might be patched + only when they are available. + + + - struct klp_patch defines an array of patched objects (struct + klp_object). + + This structure handles all patched functions consistently and eventually, + synchronously. The whole patch is applied only when all patched + symbols are found. The only exception are symbols from objects + (kernel modules) that have not been loaded yet. + + For more details on how the patch is applied on a per-task basis, + see the "Consistency model" section. + + +5. Livepatch life-cycle +======================= + +Livepatching can be described by five basic operations: +loading, enabling, replacing, disabling, removing. + +Where the replacing and the disabling operations are mutually +exclusive. They have the same result for the given patch but +not for the system. + + +5.1. Loading +------------ + +The only reasonable way is to enable the patch when the livepatch kernel +module is being loaded. For this, klp_enable_patch() has to be called +in the module_init() callback. There are two main reasons: + +First, only the module has an easy access to the related struct klp_patch. + +Second, the error code might be used to refuse loading the module when +the patch cannot get enabled. + + +5.2. Enabling +------------- + +The livepatch gets enabled by calling klp_enable_patch() from +the module_init() callback. The system will start using the new +implementation of the patched functions at this stage. + +First, the addresses of the patched functions are found according to their +names. The special relocations, mentioned in the section "New functions", +are applied. The relevant entries are created under +/sys/kernel/livepatch/<name>. The patch is rejected when any above +operation fails. + +Second, livepatch enters into a transition state where tasks are converging +to the patched state. If an original function is patched for the first +time, a function specific struct klp_ops is created and an universal +ftrace handler is registered\ [#]_. This stage is indicated by a value of '1' +in /sys/kernel/livepatch/<name>/transition. For more information about +this process, see the "Consistency model" section. + +Finally, once all tasks have been patched, the 'transition' value changes +to '0'. + +.. [#] + + Note that functions might be patched multiple times. The ftrace handler + is registered only once for a given function. Further patches just add + an entry to the list (see field `func_stack`) of the struct klp_ops. + The right implementation is selected by the ftrace handler, see + the "Consistency model" section. + + That said, it is highly recommended to use cumulative livepatches + because they help keeping the consistency of all changes. In this case, + functions might be patched two times only during the transition period. + + +5.3. Replacing +-------------- + +All enabled patches might get replaced by a cumulative patch that +has the .replace flag set. + +Once the new patch is enabled and the 'transition' finishes then +all the functions (struct klp_func) associated with the replaced +patches are removed from the corresponding struct klp_ops. Also +the ftrace handler is unregistered and the struct klp_ops is +freed when the related function is not modified by the new patch +and func_stack list becomes empty. + +See Documentation/livepatch/cumulative-patches.rst for more details. + + +5.4. Disabling +-------------- + +Enabled patches might get disabled by writing '0' to +/sys/kernel/livepatch/<name>/enabled. + +First, livepatch enters into a transition state where tasks are converging +to the unpatched state. The system starts using either the code from +the previously enabled patch or even the original one. This stage is +indicated by a value of '1' in /sys/kernel/livepatch/<name>/transition. +For more information about this process, see the "Consistency model" +section. + +Second, once all tasks have been unpatched, the 'transition' value changes +to '0'. All the functions (struct klp_func) associated with the to-be-disabled +patch are removed from the corresponding struct klp_ops. The ftrace handler +is unregistered and the struct klp_ops is freed when the func_stack list +becomes empty. + +Third, the sysfs interface is destroyed. + + +5.5. Removing +------------- + +Module removal is only safe when there are no users of functions provided +by the module. This is the reason why the force feature permanently +disables the removal. Only when the system is successfully transitioned +to a new patch state (patched/unpatched) without being forced it is +guaranteed that no task sleeps or runs in the old code. + + +6. Sysfs +======== + +Information about the registered patches can be found under +/sys/kernel/livepatch. The patches could be enabled and disabled +by writing there. + +/sys/kernel/livepatch/<patch>/force attributes allow administrator to affect a +patching operation. + +See Documentation/ABI/testing/sysfs-kernel-livepatch for more details. + + +7. Limitations +============== + +The current Livepatch implementation has several limitations: + + - Only functions that can be traced could be patched. + + Livepatch is based on the dynamic ftrace. In particular, functions + implementing ftrace or the livepatch ftrace handler could not be + patched. Otherwise, the code would end up in an infinite loop. A + potential mistake is prevented by marking the problematic functions + by "notrace". + + + + - Livepatch works reliably only when the dynamic ftrace is located at + the very beginning of the function. + + The function need to be redirected before the stack or the function + parameters are modified in any way. For example, livepatch requires + using -fentry gcc compiler option on x86_64. + + One exception is the PPC port. It uses relative addressing and TOC. + Each function has to handle TOC and save LR before it could call + the ftrace handler. This operation has to be reverted on return. + Fortunately, the generic ftrace code has the same problem and all + this is handled on the ftrace level. + + + - Kretprobes using the ftrace framework conflict with the patched + functions. + + Both kretprobes and livepatches use a ftrace handler that modifies + the return address. The first user wins. Either the probe or the patch + is rejected when the handler is already in use by the other. + + + - Kprobes in the original function are ignored when the code is + redirected to the new implementation. + + There is a work in progress to add warnings about this situation. diff --git a/Documentation/livepatch/module-elf-format.rst b/Documentation/livepatch/module-elf-format.rst new file mode 100644 index 000000000..8c6b894c4 --- /dev/null +++ b/Documentation/livepatch/module-elf-format.rst @@ -0,0 +1,315 @@ +=========================== +Livepatch module Elf format +=========================== + +This document outlines the Elf format requirements that livepatch modules must follow. + + +.. Table of Contents + + 1. Background and motivation + 2. Livepatch modinfo field + 3. Livepatch relocation sections + 3.1 Livepatch relocation section format + 4. Livepatch symbols + 4.1 A livepatch module's symbol table + 4.2 Livepatch symbol format + 5. Symbol table and Elf section access + +1. Background and motivation +============================ + +Formerly, livepatch required separate architecture-specific code to write +relocations. However, arch-specific code to write relocations already +exists in the module loader, so this former approach produced redundant +code. So, instead of duplicating code and re-implementing what the module +loader can already do, livepatch leverages existing code in the module +loader to perform the all the arch-specific relocation work. Specifically, +livepatch reuses the apply_relocate_add() function in the module loader to +write relocations. The patch module Elf format described in this document +enables livepatch to be able to do this. The hope is that this will make +livepatch more easily portable to other architectures and reduce the amount +of arch-specific code required to port livepatch to a particular +architecture. + +Since apply_relocate_add() requires access to a module's section header +table, symbol table, and relocation section indices, Elf information is +preserved for livepatch modules (see section 5). Livepatch manages its own +relocation sections and symbols, which are described in this document. The +Elf constants used to mark livepatch symbols and relocation sections were +selected from OS-specific ranges according to the definitions from glibc. + +Why does livepatch need to write its own relocations? +----------------------------------------------------- +A typical livepatch module contains patched versions of functions that can +reference non-exported global symbols and non-included local symbols. +Relocations referencing these types of symbols cannot be left in as-is +since the kernel module loader cannot resolve them and will therefore +reject the livepatch module. Furthermore, we cannot apply relocations that +affect modules not yet loaded at patch module load time (e.g. a patch to a +driver that is not loaded). Formerly, livepatch solved this problem by +embedding special "dynrela" (dynamic rela) sections in the resulting patch +module Elf output. Using these dynrela sections, livepatch could resolve +symbols while taking into account its scope and what module the symbol +belongs to, and then manually apply the dynamic relocations. However this +approach required livepatch to supply arch-specific code in order to write +these relocations. In the new format, livepatch manages its own SHT_RELA +relocation sections in place of dynrela sections, and the symbols that the +relas reference are special livepatch symbols (see section 2 and 3). The +arch-specific livepatch relocation code is replaced by a call to +apply_relocate_add(). + +2. Livepatch modinfo field +========================== + +Livepatch modules are required to have the "livepatch" modinfo attribute. +See the sample livepatch module in samples/livepatch/ for how this is done. + +Livepatch modules can be identified by users by using the 'modinfo' command +and looking for the presence of the "livepatch" field. This field is also +used by the kernel module loader to identify livepatch modules. + +Example: +-------- + +**Modinfo output:** + +:: + + % modinfo livepatch-meminfo.ko + filename: livepatch-meminfo.ko + livepatch: Y + license: GPL + depends: + vermagic: 4.3.0+ SMP mod_unload + +3. Livepatch relocation sections +================================ + +A livepatch module manages its own Elf relocation sections to apply +relocations to modules as well as to the kernel (vmlinux) at the +appropriate time. For example, if a patch module patches a driver that is +not currently loaded, livepatch will apply the corresponding livepatch +relocation section(s) to the driver once it loads. + +Each "object" (e.g. vmlinux, or a module) within a patch module may have +multiple livepatch relocation sections associated with it (e.g. patches to +multiple functions within the same object). There is a 1-1 correspondence +between a livepatch relocation section and the target section (usually the +text section of a function) to which the relocation(s) apply. It is +also possible for a livepatch module to have no livepatch relocation +sections, as in the case of the sample livepatch module (see +samples/livepatch). + +Since Elf information is preserved for livepatch modules (see Section 5), a +livepatch relocation section can be applied simply by passing in the +appropriate section index to apply_relocate_add(), which then uses it to +access the relocation section and apply the relocations. + +Every symbol referenced by a rela in a livepatch relocation section is a +livepatch symbol. These must be resolved before livepatch can call +apply_relocate_add(). See Section 3 for more information. + +3.1 Livepatch relocation section format +======================================= + +Livepatch relocation sections must be marked with the SHF_RELA_LIVEPATCH +section flag. See include/uapi/linux/elf.h for the definition. The module +loader recognizes this flag and will avoid applying those relocation sections +at patch module load time. These sections must also be marked with SHF_ALLOC, +so that the module loader doesn't discard them on module load (i.e. they will +be copied into memory along with the other SHF_ALLOC sections). + +The name of a livepatch relocation section must conform to the following +format:: + + .klp.rela.objname.section_name + ^ ^^ ^ ^ ^ + |________||_____| |__________| + [A] [B] [C] + +[A] + The relocation section name is prefixed with the string ".klp.rela." + +[B] + The name of the object (i.e. "vmlinux" or name of module) to + which the relocation section belongs follows immediately after the prefix. + +[C] + The actual name of the section to which this relocation section applies. + +Examples: +--------- + +**Livepatch relocation section names:** + +:: + + .klp.rela.ext4.text.ext4_attr_store + .klp.rela.vmlinux.text.cmdline_proc_show + +**`readelf --sections` output for a patch +module that patches vmlinux and modules 9p, btrfs, ext4:** + +:: + + Section Headers: + [Nr] Name Type Address Off Size ES Flg Lk Inf Al + [ snip ] + [29] .klp.rela.9p.text.caches.show RELA 0000000000000000 002d58 0000c0 18 AIo 64 9 8 + [30] .klp.rela.btrfs.text.btrfs.feature.attr.show RELA 0000000000000000 002e18 000060 18 AIo 64 11 8 + [ snip ] + [34] .klp.rela.ext4.text.ext4.attr.store RELA 0000000000000000 002fd8 0000d8 18 AIo 64 13 8 + [35] .klp.rela.ext4.text.ext4.attr.show RELA 0000000000000000 0030b0 000150 18 AIo 64 15 8 + [36] .klp.rela.vmlinux.text.cmdline.proc.show RELA 0000000000000000 003200 000018 18 AIo 64 17 8 + [37] .klp.rela.vmlinux.text.meminfo.proc.show RELA 0000000000000000 003218 0000f0 18 AIo 64 19 8 + [ snip ] ^ ^ + | | + [*] [*] + +[*] + Livepatch relocation sections are SHT_RELA sections but with a few special + characteristics. Notice that they are marked SHF_ALLOC ("A") so that they will + not be discarded when the module is loaded into memory, as well as with the + SHF_RELA_LIVEPATCH flag ("o" - for OS-specific). + +**`readelf --relocs` output for a patch module:** + +:: + + Relocation section '.klp.rela.btrfs.text.btrfs_feature_attr_show' at offset 0x2ba0 contains 4 entries: + Offset Info Type Symbol's Value Symbol's Name + Addend + 000000000000001f 0000005e00000002 R_X86_64_PC32 0000000000000000 .klp.sym.vmlinux.printk,0 - 4 + 0000000000000028 0000003d0000000b R_X86_64_32S 0000000000000000 .klp.sym.btrfs.btrfs_ktype,0 + 0 + 0000000000000036 0000003b00000002 R_X86_64_PC32 0000000000000000 .klp.sym.btrfs.can_modify_feature.isra.3,0 - 4 + 000000000000004c 0000004900000002 R_X86_64_PC32 0000000000000000 .klp.sym.vmlinux.snprintf,0 - 4 + [ snip ] ^ + | + [*] + +[*] + Every symbol referenced by a relocation is a livepatch symbol. + +4. Livepatch symbols +==================== + +Livepatch symbols are symbols referred to by livepatch relocation sections. +These are symbols accessed from new versions of functions for patched +objects, whose addresses cannot be resolved by the module loader (because +they are local or unexported global syms). Since the module loader only +resolves exported syms, and not every symbol referenced by the new patched +functions is exported, livepatch symbols were introduced. They are used +also in cases where we cannot immediately know the address of a symbol when +a patch module loads. For example, this is the case when livepatch patches +a module that is not loaded yet. In this case, the relevant livepatch +symbols are resolved simply when the target module loads. In any case, for +any livepatch relocation section, all livepatch symbols referenced by that +section must be resolved before livepatch can call apply_relocate_add() for +that reloc section. + +Livepatch symbols must be marked with SHN_LIVEPATCH so that the module +loader can identify and ignore them. Livepatch modules keep these symbols +in their symbol tables, and the symbol table is made accessible through +module->symtab. + +4.1 A livepatch module's symbol table +===================================== +Normally, a stripped down copy of a module's symbol table (containing only +"core" symbols) is made available through module->symtab (See layout_symtab() +in kernel/module.c). For livepatch modules, the symbol table copied into memory +on module load must be exactly the same as the symbol table produced when the +patch module was compiled. This is because the relocations in each livepatch +relocation section refer to their respective symbols with their symbol indices, +and the original symbol indices (and thus the symtab ordering) must be +preserved in order for apply_relocate_add() to find the right symbol. + +For example, take this particular rela from a livepatch module::: + + Relocation section '.klp.rela.btrfs.text.btrfs_feature_attr_show' at offset 0x2ba0 contains 4 entries: + Offset Info Type Symbol's Value Symbol's Name + Addend + 000000000000001f 0000005e00000002 R_X86_64_PC32 0000000000000000 .klp.sym.vmlinux.printk,0 - 4 + + This rela refers to the symbol '.klp.sym.vmlinux.printk,0', and the symbol index is encoded + in 'Info'. Here its symbol index is 0x5e, which is 94 in decimal, which refers to the + symbol index 94. + And in this patch module's corresponding symbol table, symbol index 94 refers to that very symbol: + [ snip ] + 94: 0000000000000000 0 NOTYPE GLOBAL DEFAULT OS [0xff20] .klp.sym.vmlinux.printk,0 + [ snip ] + +4.2 Livepatch symbol format +=========================== + +Livepatch symbols must have their section index marked as SHN_LIVEPATCH, so +that the module loader can identify them and not attempt to resolve them. +See include/uapi/linux/elf.h for the actual definitions. + +Livepatch symbol names must conform to the following format:: + + .klp.sym.objname.symbol_name,sympos + ^ ^^ ^ ^ ^ ^ + |_______||_____| |_________| | + [A] [B] [C] [D] + +[A] + The symbol name is prefixed with the string ".klp.sym." + +[B] + The name of the object (i.e. "vmlinux" or name of module) to + which the symbol belongs follows immediately after the prefix. + +[C] + The actual name of the symbol. + +[D] + The position of the symbol in the object (as according to kallsyms) + This is used to differentiate duplicate symbols within the same + object. The symbol position is expressed numerically (0, 1, 2...). + The symbol position of a unique symbol is 0. + +Examples: +--------- + +**Livepatch symbol names:** + +:: + + .klp.sym.vmlinux.snprintf,0 + .klp.sym.vmlinux.printk,0 + .klp.sym.btrfs.btrfs_ktype,0 + +**`readelf --symbols` output for a patch module:** + +:: + + Symbol table '.symtab' contains 127 entries: + Num: Value Size Type Bind Vis Ndx Name + [ snip ] + 73: 0000000000000000 0 NOTYPE GLOBAL DEFAULT OS [0xff20] .klp.sym.vmlinux.snprintf,0 + 74: 0000000000000000 0 NOTYPE GLOBAL DEFAULT OS [0xff20] .klp.sym.vmlinux.capable,0 + 75: 0000000000000000 0 NOTYPE GLOBAL DEFAULT OS [0xff20] .klp.sym.vmlinux.find_next_bit,0 + 76: 0000000000000000 0 NOTYPE GLOBAL DEFAULT OS [0xff20] .klp.sym.vmlinux.si_swapinfo,0 + [ snip ] ^ + | + [*] + +[*] + Note that the 'Ndx' (Section index) for these symbols is SHN_LIVEPATCH (0xff20). + "OS" means OS-specific. + +5. Symbol table and Elf section access +====================================== +A livepatch module's symbol table is accessible through module->symtab. + +Since apply_relocate_add() requires access to a module's section headers, +symbol table, and relocation section indices, Elf information is preserved for +livepatch modules and is made accessible by the module loader through +module->klp_info, which is a klp_modinfo struct. When a livepatch module loads, +this struct is filled in by the module loader. Its fields are documented below:: + + struct klp_modinfo { + Elf_Ehdr hdr; /* Elf header */ + Elf_Shdr *sechdrs; /* Section header table */ + char *secstrings; /* String table for the section headers */ + unsigned int symndx; /* The symbol table section index */ + }; diff --git a/Documentation/livepatch/shadow-vars.rst b/Documentation/livepatch/shadow-vars.rst new file mode 100644 index 000000000..c05715aea --- /dev/null +++ b/Documentation/livepatch/shadow-vars.rst @@ -0,0 +1,226 @@ +================ +Shadow Variables +================ + +Shadow variables are a simple way for livepatch modules to associate +additional "shadow" data with existing data structures. Shadow data is +allocated separately from parent data structures, which are left +unmodified. The shadow variable API described in this document is used +to allocate/add and remove/free shadow variables to/from their parents. + +The implementation introduces a global, in-kernel hashtable that +associates pointers to parent objects and a numeric identifier of the +shadow data. The numeric identifier is a simple enumeration that may be +used to describe shadow variable version, class or type, etc. More +specifically, the parent pointer serves as the hashtable key while the +numeric id subsequently filters hashtable queries. Multiple shadow +variables may attach to the same parent object, but their numeric +identifier distinguishes between them. + + +1. Brief API summary +==================== + +(See the full API usage docbook notes in livepatch/shadow.c.) + +A hashtable references all shadow variables. These references are +stored and retrieved through a <obj, id> pair. + +* The klp_shadow variable data structure encapsulates both tracking + meta-data and shadow-data: + + - meta-data + + - obj - pointer to parent object + - id - data identifier + + - data[] - storage for shadow data + +It is important to note that the klp_shadow_alloc() and +klp_shadow_get_or_alloc() are zeroing the variable by default. +They also allow to call a custom constructor function when a non-zero +value is needed. Callers should provide whatever mutual exclusion +is required. + +Note that the constructor is called under klp_shadow_lock spinlock. It allows +to do actions that can be done only once when a new variable is allocated. + +* klp_shadow_get() - retrieve a shadow variable data pointer + - search hashtable for <obj, id> pair + +* klp_shadow_alloc() - allocate and add a new shadow variable + - search hashtable for <obj, id> pair + + - if exists + + - WARN and return NULL + + - if <obj, id> doesn't already exist + + - allocate a new shadow variable + - initialize the variable using a custom constructor and data when provided + - add <obj, id> to the global hashtable + +* klp_shadow_get_or_alloc() - get existing or alloc a new shadow variable + - search hashtable for <obj, id> pair + + - if exists + + - return existing shadow variable + + - if <obj, id> doesn't already exist + + - allocate a new shadow variable + - initialize the variable using a custom constructor and data when provided + - add <obj, id> pair to the global hashtable + +* klp_shadow_free() - detach and free a <obj, id> shadow variable + - find and remove a <obj, id> reference from global hashtable + + - if found + + - call destructor function if defined + - free shadow variable + +* klp_shadow_free_all() - detach and free all <*, id> shadow variables + - find and remove any <*, id> references from global hashtable + + - if found + + - call destructor function if defined + - free shadow variable + + +2. Use cases +============ + +(See the example shadow variable livepatch modules in samples/livepatch/ +for full working demonstrations.) + +For the following use-case examples, consider commit 1d147bfa6429 +("mac80211: fix AP powersave TX vs. wakeup race"), which added a +spinlock to net/mac80211/sta_info.h :: struct sta_info. Each use-case +example can be considered a stand-alone livepatch implementation of this +fix. + + +Matching parent's lifecycle +--------------------------- + +If parent data structures are frequently created and destroyed, it may +be easiest to align their shadow variables lifetimes to the same +allocation and release functions. In this case, the parent data +structure is typically allocated, initialized, then registered in some +manner. Shadow variable allocation and setup can then be considered +part of the parent's initialization and should be completed before the +parent "goes live" (ie, any shadow variable get-API requests are made +for this <obj, id> pair.) + +For commit 1d147bfa6429, when a parent sta_info structure is allocated, +allocate a shadow copy of the ps_lock pointer, then initialize it:: + + #define PS_LOCK 1 + struct sta_info *sta_info_alloc(struct ieee80211_sub_if_data *sdata, + const u8 *addr, gfp_t gfp) + { + struct sta_info *sta; + spinlock_t *ps_lock; + + /* Parent structure is created */ + sta = kzalloc(sizeof(*sta) + hw->sta_data_size, gfp); + + /* Attach a corresponding shadow variable, then initialize it */ + ps_lock = klp_shadow_alloc(sta, PS_LOCK, sizeof(*ps_lock), gfp, + NULL, NULL); + if (!ps_lock) + goto shadow_fail; + spin_lock_init(ps_lock); + ... + +When requiring a ps_lock, query the shadow variable API to retrieve one +for a specific struct sta_info::: + + void ieee80211_sta_ps_deliver_wakeup(struct sta_info *sta) + { + spinlock_t *ps_lock; + + /* sync with ieee80211_tx_h_unicast_ps_buf */ + ps_lock = klp_shadow_get(sta, PS_LOCK); + if (ps_lock) + spin_lock(ps_lock); + ... + +When the parent sta_info structure is freed, first free the shadow +variable:: + + void sta_info_free(struct ieee80211_local *local, struct sta_info *sta) + { + klp_shadow_free(sta, PS_LOCK, NULL); + kfree(sta); + ... + + +In-flight parent objects +------------------------ + +Sometimes it may not be convenient or possible to allocate shadow +variables alongside their parent objects. Or a livepatch fix may +require shadow varibles to only a subset of parent object instances. In +these cases, the klp_shadow_get_or_alloc() call can be used to attach +shadow variables to parents already in-flight. + +For commit 1d147bfa6429, a good spot to allocate a shadow spinlock is +inside ieee80211_sta_ps_deliver_wakeup():: + + int ps_lock_shadow_ctor(void *obj, void *shadow_data, void *ctor_data) + { + spinlock_t *lock = shadow_data; + + spin_lock_init(lock); + return 0; + } + + #define PS_LOCK 1 + void ieee80211_sta_ps_deliver_wakeup(struct sta_info *sta) + { + spinlock_t *ps_lock; + + /* sync with ieee80211_tx_h_unicast_ps_buf */ + ps_lock = klp_shadow_get_or_alloc(sta, PS_LOCK, + sizeof(*ps_lock), GFP_ATOMIC, + ps_lock_shadow_ctor, NULL); + + if (ps_lock) + spin_lock(ps_lock); + ... + +This usage will create a shadow variable, only if needed, otherwise it +will use one that was already created for this <obj, id> pair. + +Like the previous use-case, the shadow spinlock needs to be cleaned up. +A shadow variable can be freed just before its parent object is freed, +or even when the shadow variable itself is no longer required. + + +Other use-cases +--------------- + +Shadow variables can also be used as a flag indicating that a data +structure was allocated by new, livepatched code. In this case, it +doesn't matter what data value the shadow variable holds, its existence +suggests how to handle the parent object. + + +3. References +============= + +* https://github.com/dynup/kpatch + + The livepatch implementation is based on the kpatch version of shadow + variables. + +* http://files.mkgnu.net/files/dynamos/doc/papers/dynamos_eurosys_07.pdf + + Dynamic and Adaptive Updates of Non-Quiescent Subsystems in Commodity + Operating System Kernels (Kritis Makris, Kyung Dong Ryu 2007) presented + a datatype update technique called "shadow data structures". diff --git a/Documentation/livepatch/system-state.rst b/Documentation/livepatch/system-state.rst new file mode 100644 index 000000000..c6d127c2d --- /dev/null +++ b/Documentation/livepatch/system-state.rst @@ -0,0 +1,167 @@ +==================== +System State Changes +==================== + +Some users are really reluctant to reboot a system. This brings the need +to provide more livepatches and maintain some compatibility between them. + +Maintaining more livepatches is much easier with cumulative livepatches. +Each new livepatch completely replaces any older one. It can keep, +add, and even remove fixes. And it is typically safe to replace any version +of the livepatch with any other one thanks to the atomic replace feature. + +The problems might come with shadow variables and callbacks. They might +change the system behavior or state so that it is no longer safe to +go back and use an older livepatch or the original kernel code. Also +any new livepatch must be able to detect what changes have already been +done by the already installed livepatches. + +This is where the livepatch system state tracking gets useful. It +allows to: + + - store data needed to manipulate and restore the system state + + - define compatibility between livepatches using a change id + and version + + +1. Livepatch system state API +============================= + +The state of the system might get modified either by several livepatch callbacks +or by the newly used code. Also it must be possible to find changes done by +already installed livepatches. + +Each modified state is described by struct klp_state, see +include/linux/livepatch.h. + +Each livepatch defines an array of struct klp_states. They mention +all states that the livepatch modifies. + +The livepatch author must define the following two fields for each +struct klp_state: + + - *id* + + - Non-zero number used to identify the affected system state. + + - *version* + + - Number describing the variant of the system state change that + is supported by the given livepatch. + +The state can be manipulated using two functions: + + - *klp_get_state(patch, id)* + + - Get struct klp_state associated with the given livepatch + and state id. + + - *klp_get_prev_state(id)* + + - Get struct klp_state associated with the given feature id and + already installed livepatches. + +2. Livepatch compatibility +========================== + +The system state version is used to prevent loading incompatible livepatches. +The check is done when the livepatch is enabled. The rules are: + + - Any completely new system state modification is allowed. + + - System state modifications with the same or higher version are allowed + for already modified system states. + + - Cumulative livepatches must handle all system state modifications from + already installed livepatches. + + - Non-cumulative livepatches are allowed to touch already modified + system states. + +3. Supported scenarios +====================== + +Livepatches have their life-cycle and the same is true for the system +state changes. Every compatible livepatch has to support the following +scenarios: + + - Modify the system state when the livepatch gets enabled and the state + has not been already modified by a livepatches that are being + replaced. + + - Take over or update the system state modification when is has already + been done by a livepatch that is being replaced. + + - Restore the original state when the livepatch is disabled. + + - Restore the previous state when the transition is reverted. + It might be the original system state or the state modification + done by livepatches that were being replaced. + + - Remove any already made changes when error occurs and the livepatch + cannot get enabled. + +4. Expected usage +================= + +System states are usually modified by livepatch callbacks. The expected +role of each callback is as follows: + +*pre_patch()* + + - Allocate *state->data* when necessary. The allocation might fail + and *pre_patch()* is the only callback that could stop loading + of the livepatch. The allocation is not needed when the data + are already provided by previously installed livepatches. + + - Do any other preparatory action that is needed by + the new code even before the transition gets finished. + For example, initialize *state->data*. + + The system state itself is typically modified in *post_patch()* + when the entire system is able to handle it. + + - Clean up its own mess in case of error. It might be done by a custom + code or by calling *post_unpatch()* explicitly. + +*post_patch()* + + - Copy *state->data* from the previous livepatch when they are + compatible. + + - Do the actual system state modification. Eventually allow + the new code to use it. + + - Make sure that *state->data* has all necessary information. + + - Free *state->data* from replaces livepatches when they are + not longer needed. + +*pre_unpatch()* + + - Prevent the code, added by the livepatch, relying on the system + state change. + + - Revert the system state modification.. + +*post_unpatch()* + + - Distinguish transition reverse and livepatch disabling by + checking *klp_get_prev_state()*. + + - In case of transition reverse, restore the previous system + state. It might mean doing nothing. + + - Remove any not longer needed setting or data. + +.. note:: + + *pre_unpatch()* typically does symmetric operations to *post_patch()*. + Except that it is called only when the livepatch is being disabled. + Therefore it does not need to care about any previously installed + livepatch. + + *post_unpatch()* typically does symmetric operations to *pre_patch()*. + It might be called also during the transition reverse. Therefore it + has to handle the state of the previously installed livepatches. |