Re: [PATCH v10 8/8] selinux: include a consumer of the new IMA critical data hook

Mimi Zohar
2021-01-14T16:45:52Z

[Cc'ing Sasha]

Hi Lakshmi,

On Thu, 2021-01-14 at 08:22 -0800, Lakshmi Ramasubramanian wrote:
> On 1/13/21 6:49 PM, Mimi Zohar wrote:

> >>> Lakshmi is trying to address the situation where an event changes a
> >>> value, but then is restored to the original value. The original and
> >>> subsequent events are measured, but restoring to the original value
> >>> isn't re-measured. This isn't any different than when a file is
> >>> modified and then reverted.
> >>>
> >>> Instead of changing the name like this, which doesn't work for files,
> >>> allowing duplicate measurements should be generic, based on policy.
> >>
> >> Perhaps it is just the end of the day and I'm a bit tired, but I just
> >> read all of the above and I have no idea what your current thoughts
> >> are regarding this patch.
> >
> > Other than appending the timestamp, which is a hack, the patch is fine.
> > Support for re-measuring an event can be upstreamed independently.
> >
>
> Thanks for clarifying the details related to duplicate measurement
> detection and re-measuring.
>
> I will keep the timestamp for the time being, even though its a hack, as
> it helps with re-measuring state changes in SELinux. We will add support
> for "policy driven" re-measurement as a subsequent patch series.

Once including the timestamp is upstreamed, removing it will be
difficult, especially if different userspace applications are dependent
on it. Unless everyone is on board that removing the timestamp
wouldn't be considered a regression, it cannot be upstreamed.

thanks,

Mimi