Re: [PATCH 14/15] futex: convert futex_pi_state.refcount to refcount_t

From: Thomas Gleixner
Date: Fri Sep 01 2017 - 03:40:08 EST


On Wed, 30 Aug 2017, Elena Reshetova wrote:
> atomic_t variables are currently used to implement reference
> counters with the following properties:
> - counter is initialized to 1 using atomic_set()
> - a resource is freed upon counter reaching zero
> - once counter reaches zero, its further
> increments aren't allowed
> - counter schema uses basic atomic operations
> (set, inc, inc_not_zero, dec_and_test, etc.)
>
> Such atomic variables should be converted to a newly provided
> refcount_t type and API that prevents accidental counter overflows
> and underflows. This is important since overflows and underflows
> can lead to use-after-free situation and be exploitable.
>
> The variable futex_pi_state.refcount is used as pure
> reference counter. Convert it to refcount_t and fix up
> the operations.
>
> Suggested-by: Kees Cook <keescook@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Reviewed-by: David Windsor <dwindsor@xxxxxxxxx>
> Reviewed-by: Hans Liljestrand <ishkamiel@xxxxxxxxx>
> Signed-off-by: Elena Reshetova <elena.reshetova@xxxxxxxxx>

Reviewed-by: Thomas Gleixner <tglx@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>