[PATCH 1/2] net/netfilter/nf_conntrack_core: Mark access for KCSAN

Manfred Spraul
2021-06-27T16:19:49Z

KCSAN detected an data race with ipc/sem.c that is intentional.

As nf_conntrack_lock() uses the same algorithm: Update
nf_conntrack_core as well:

nf_conntrack_lock() contains
a1) spin_lock()
a2) smp_load_acquire(nf_conntrack_locks_all).

a1) actually accesses one lock from an array of locks.

nf_conntrack_locks_all() contains
b1) nf_conntrack_locks_all=true (normal write)
b2) spin_lock()
b3) spin_unlock()

b2 and b3 are done for every lock.

This guarantees that nf_conntrack_locks_all() prevents any
concurrent nf_conntrack_lock() owners:
If a thread past a1), then b2) will block until that thread releases
the lock.
If the threat is before a1, then b3)+a1) ensure the write b1) is
visible, thus a2) is guaranteed to see the updated value.

But: This is only the latest time when b1) becomes visible.
It may also happen that b1) is visible an undefined amount of time
before the b3). And thus KCSAN will notice a data race.

In addition, the compiler might be too clever.

Solution: Use WRITE_ONCE().

Signed-off-by: Manfred Spraul <manfred@colorfullife.com>
---
net/netfilter/nf_conntrack_core.c | 10 +++++++++-
1 file changed, 9 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/net/netfilter/nf_conntrack_core.c b/net/netfilter/nf_conntrack_core.c
index e0befcf8113a..d3f3c91b770e 100644
--- a/net/netfilter/nf_conntrack_core.c
+++ b/net/netfilter/nf_conntrack_core.c
@@ -153,7 +153,15 @@ static void nf_conntrack_all_lock(void)

spin_lock(&nf_conntrack_locks_all_lock);

- nf_conntrack_locks_all = true;
+ /* For nf_contrack_locks_all, only the latest time when another
+ * CPU will see an update is controlled, by the "release" of the
+ * spin_lock below.
+ * The earliest time is not controlled, an thus KCSAN could detect
+ * a race when nf_conntract_lock() reads the variable.
+ * WRITE_ONCE() is used to ensure the compiler will not
+ * optimize the write.
+ */
+ WRITE_ONCE(nf_conntrack_locks_all, true);

for (i = 0; i < CONNTRACK_LOCKS; i++) {
spin_lock(&nf_conntrack_locks[i]);
--
2.31.1