Re: [kernel-hardening] [PATCH v7 0/9] x86/mm: memory area address KASLR

[Kees Cook]

On Wed, Jun 22, 2016 at 8:59 AM, Thomas Garnier <thgarnie@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> On Wed, Jun 22, 2016 at 5:47 AM, Jason Cooper <jason@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>> Hey Kees,
>>
>> On Tue, Jun 21, 2016 at 05:46:57PM -0700, Kees Cook wrote:
>>> Notable problems that needed solving:
>> ...
>>>  - Reasonable entropy is needed early at boot before get_random_bytes()
>>>    is available.
>>
>> This series is targetting x86, which typically has RDRAND/RDSEED
>> instructions.  Are you referring to other arches?  Older x86?  Also,
>> isn't this the same requirement for base address KASLR?
>>
>> Don't get me wrong, I want more diverse entropy sources available
>> earlier in the boot process as well. :-)  I'm just wondering what's
>> different about this series vs base address KASLR wrt early entropy
>> sources.
>>
>
> I think Kees was referring to the refactor I did to get the similar
> entropy generation than KASLR module randomization. Our approach was
> to provide best entropy possible even if you have an older processor
> or under virtualization without support for these instructions.
> Unfortunately common on companies with a large number of older
> machines.

Right, the memory offset KASLR uses the same routines as the kernel
base KASLR. The issue is with older x86 systems, which continue to be
very common.

-Kees

-- 
Kees Cook
Chrome OS & Brillo Security