[kernel-hardening] Re: [PATCH 1/2] security: Change name of CONFIG_DEBUG_RODATA

[Laura Abbott <labbott@redhat.com>]

On 01/19/2017 08:53 AM, Pavel Machek wrote:
> On Wed 2017-01-18 17:29:05, Laura Abbott wrote:
>>
>> Despite the word 'debug' in CONFIG_DEBUG_RODATA, this kernel option
>> provides key security features that are to be expected on a modern
>> system. Change the name to CONFIG_HARDENED_PAGE_MAPPINGS which more
>> accurately describes what this option is intended to do.
>
> I think this is bad change. CONFIG_DEBUG_RODATA is describing what it
> does, CONFIG_HARDENED_PAGE_MAPPINGS is advertising.
>
> We don't do advertising, and we don't force people to re-answer the
> config questions without good reason.
>
> CONFIG_HARDENED_RODATA might fix the first problem, but not the second
> one.
>
> 								Pavel
> 								

(Apologies, my SMTP was set up incorrectly so my response didn't
actually get sent out)

CONFIG_DEBUG_RODATA isn't describing what it does though. It misses
that this config may handle much more than just rodata. I think
Mark Rutland's suggestion of STRICT_KERNEL_RWX might be more
descriptive.

Thanks,
Laura