Re: [TECH TOPIC] Rust for Linux

Linus Walleij
2021-07-20T22:42:59Z

On Tue, Jul 20, 2021 at 3:21 AM Miguel Ojeda
<miguel.ojeda.sandonis@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Tue, Jul 20, 2021 at 12:16 AM Linus Walleij <linus.walleij@linaro.org> wrote:

> > To that end the core of the GPIO library would probably
> > have to be rewritten in Rust and used on *all* platforms
> > in order to buy us any improved security. I understand that
>
> I do not agree: a bug in a driver can cause havok of all kinds in a
> system, security-wise or otherwise. One does not need to rewrite the
> entire kernel in Rust to start to see benefits.

I understand and I see that Wedson also came up with some ideas
on how Rust can actually protect against some DoS type attacks.

But what attackers (who by the way are organized, well-funded and
pretty evil people) are creating and what is our biggest headache is
remote root exploits that open up systems to random code execution,
and that is why we have to take Rust to the enemy lines IMO, because
that is where it will deliver shock and awe.

The problem is not a few saboteurs in our factories in our homeland
but on the frontline with the enemy if you excuse the war metaphor.
I want to see Rust weaponized against the people who attack our
kernel.

Yours,
Linus Walleij