Re: [PATCH -tip v3 7/7] kprobes: Use synchronize_rcu_tasks() for optprobe with CONFIG_PREEMPT

Ingo Molnar
2017-09-28T07:22:26Z

* Masami Hiramatsu <mhiramat@kernel.org> wrote:

> To enable jump optimized probe with CONFIG_PREEMPT, use
> synchronize_rcu_tasks() to wait for all tasks preempted
> on trampoline code back on track.

This sentence does not parse. It's missing a verb, but I'm not sure.

> Since the jump optimized kprobes can replace multiple
> instructions, there can be tasks which are preempted
> on the 2nd (or 3rd) instructions. If the kprobe
> replaces those instructions by a jump instruction,
> when those tasks back to the preempted place, it is
> a middle of the jump instruction and causes a kernel
> panic.

Again, sentence appears to be missing a verb and also an adjective I think.

> To avoid such tragedies in advance, kprobe optimizer
> prepare a detour route using normal kprobe (e.g.
> int3 breakpoint on x86), and wait for the tasks which
> is interrrupted on such place by synchronize_sched()
> when CONFIG_PREEMPT=n.

s/tragedies/mishaps

Part after the first comma does not parse.

Also the way to refer to kprobes is "kprobes" and "normal kprobes".
Use 'kprobe' only when talking about a specific kprobe instance or such.
You use this correctly later on in the changelog ...

> If CONFIG_PREEMPT=y, things be more complicated, because

s/be/are or s/be/get

> such interrupted thread can be preempted (other thread
> can be scheduled in interrupt handler.) So, kprobes

full stop in the wrong place.

> optimizer has to wait for those tasks scheduled normally.

missing verb.

> In this case we can use synchronize_rcu_tasks() which
> ensures that all preempted tasks back on track and
> schedule it.

More careful changelogs please.

> + * are done. Because optprobe may modify multiple instructions,
> + * there is a chance that the Nth instruction is interrupted. In that
> + * case, running interrupt can return to the Nth byte of jump
> + * instruction. This can be avoided by waiting for returning of
> + * such interrupts, since (until here) the first byte of the optimized
> + * probe is already replaced with normal kprobe (sw breakpoint) and
> + * all threads which reach to the probed address will hit it and
> + * bypass the copied instructions (instead of executing the original.)
> + * With CONFIG_PREEMPT, such interrupts can be preepmted. To wait
> + * for such thread, we will use synchronize_rcu_tasks() which ensures
> + * all preeempted tasks are scheduled normally (not preempted).
> + * So we can ensure there is no threads preempted at probed address.

What? Interrupts cannot be preempted.

Also, "To wait for such threads", or "To wait for such a thread".

Thanks,

Ingo