Re: [PATCH] x86-64: espfix for 64-bit mode *PROTOTYPE*

[Borislav Petkov <bp@alien8.de>]

On Tue, Apr 22, 2014 at 10:11:27AM -0700, H. Peter Anvin wrote:
> The fastpath interference is:
> 
> 1. Testing for an LDT SS selector before IRET.  This is actually easier
> than on 32 bits, because on 64 bits the SS:RSP on the stack is always valid.
> 
> 2. Testing for an RSP inside the espfix region on exception entry, so we
> can switch back the stack.  This has to be done very early in the
> exception entry since the espfix stack is so small.  If NMI and #MC
> didn't use IST it wouldn't work at all (but neither would SYSCALL).
> 
> #2 currently saves/restores %rdi, which is also saved further down.
> This is obviously wasteful.

Btw, can we runtime-patch the fastpath interference chunk the moment we
see a 16-bit segment? I.e., connect it to the write_idt() path, i.e. in
the hunk you've removed in there and enable the espfix checks there the
moment we load a 16-bit segment.

I know, I know, this is not so important right now but let me put it out
there just the same.

-- 
Regards/Gruss,
    Boris.

Sent from a fat crate under my desk. Formatting is fine.
--