Re: [PATCH] New phys_addr() syscall

Olivier Galibert (galibert@pobox.com)
Sun, 19 Jul 1998 17:34:57 +0200


On Sun, Jul 19, 1998 at 02:24:15PM +0200, Alexander Kjeldaas wrote:
> I this is only useful for specialized utilities, I suggest you check
> for capable(CAP_SYS_ADMIN) in the system call.

Relying of the fact that a process not having the capability is unable
to know the physical address of a virtual page is nothing but security
through obscurity. Linux' security is not snake oil.

Besides, it would require to give a special capability to process
needing the system call for nothing more than display purposes, which
increases the number of potential security flaws while not adding real
security.

Hence, bad idea.

OG.

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