Re: [PATCH v2] perf/core: Drop kernel samples even though :u is specified

[Jin, Yao]

SNIP
> > +static bool skid_kernel_samples(struct perf_event *event, struct pt_regs *regs)
> The name is a bit opaque, especially where it is used in
> __perf_event_overflow().
>
> How about we invert the polarity and call this sample_is_allowed() ?

That's OK, thanks.

> > +{
> > +	/*
> > +	 * We may get kernel samples even though exclude_kernel
> > +	 * is specified due to potential skid in sampling.
> > +	 * The skid kernel samples could be dropped or just do
> > +	 * nothing by testing the flag PERF_PMU_CAP_NO_SKID.
> > +	 */
> > +	if (event->pmu->capabilities & PERF_PMU_CAP_NO_SKID)
> > +		return false;
> Do we need this new cap?
>
> I'd expect user_mode(regs) to be about as cheap as testing the cap, and
> the common case is going to be that we we have test both.
>
> For those PMUs without skid, when not sampling the kernel,
> user_mode(regs) should always be true.
>
> IMO, it would make more sense to just check user_mode(regs), which also
> avoids any surprises with unexpected skid...
I guess the reason which Peter recommends to use a new cap is to have a 
way to keep original behavior.

If we don't need to keep original behavior, I think the new cap is not 
necessary. Could Peter provide comment? Thanks!

> > +
> > +	if (event->attr.exclude_kernel &&
> > +	    !user_mode(regs) &&
> > +	    (event->attr.sample_type & PERF_SAMPLE_IP)) {
> > +		return true;
> > +	}
> > +
> > +	return false;
> > +}
> How about:
>
> static bool sample_is_allowed(struct perf_event *event, struct pt_regs *regs)
> {
> 	/*
> 	 * Due to interrupt latency (AKA "skid"), we may enter the
> 	 * kernel before taking an overflow, even if the PMU is only
> 	 * counting user events.
> 	 *
> 	 * To avoid leaking information to userspace, we must always
> 	 * reject kernel samples when exclude_kernel is set.
> 	 */
> 	if (!user_mode(regs) && event->attr.exclude_kernel &&
> 	    (event->attr.sample_type & PERF_SAMPLE_IP))
> 		return false;
>
> 	return true;
> }
>
> ... do we need to reject any other sample types, or do we definitely
> avoid leaks by other means?
I just think only when the PERF_SAMPLE_IP is applied, we can get correct 
ip. So I check the PERF_SAMPLE_IP here.

> > +
> >   /*
> >    * Generic event overflow handling, sampling.
> >    */
> > @@ -7337,6 +7357,12 @@ static int __perf_event_overflow(struct perf_event *event,
> >   	ret = __perf_event_account_interrupt(event, throttle);
> >   
> >   	/*
> > +	 * For security, drop the skid kernel samples if necessary.
> > +	 */
> > +	if (skid_kernel_samples(event, regs))
> > +		return ret;
> > +
> .. with the above changes, this can be:
>
> 	if (!sample_is_allowed(event, regs))
> 		return ret;
>
> Thanks,
> Mark.
OK, thanks! I will change the patch according to your comments.

Thanks
Jin Yao