Re: [PATCH] sparc64: convert mdesc_handle.refcnt from atomic_t to refcount_t

From: David Miller
Date: Wed Nov 15 2017 - 00:42:34 EST


From: Elena Reshetova <elena.reshetova@xxxxxxxxx>
Date: Fri, 20 Oct 2017 10:57:57 +0300

> 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 mdesc_handle.refcnt 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>

Applied.