diff --git a/Documentation/keys.txt b/Documentation/keys.txt
index 0321ded..b22e7c8 100644
--- a/Documentation/keys.txt
+++ b/Documentation/keys.txt
@@ -195,8 +195,8 @@
 ======================
 
 Keys have an owner user ID, a group access ID, and a permissions mask. The mask
-has up to eight bits each for user, group and other access. Only five of each
-set of eight bits are defined. These permissions granted are:
+has up to eight bits each for possessor, user, group and other access. Only
+five of each set of eight bits are defined. These permissions granted are:
 
  (*) View
 
@@ -241,16 +241,16 @@
      type, description and permissions. The payload of the key is not available
      this way:
 
-	SERIAL   FLAGS  USAGE EXPY PERM   UID   GID   TYPE      DESCRIPTION: SUMMARY
-	00000001 I-----    39 perm 1f0000     0     0 keyring   _uid_ses.0: 1/4
-	00000002 I-----     2 perm 1f0000     0     0 keyring   _uid.0: empty
-	00000007 I-----     1 perm 1f0000     0     0 keyring   _pid.1: empty
-	0000018d I-----     1 perm 1f0000     0     0 keyring   _pid.412: empty
-	000004d2 I--Q--     1 perm 1f0000    32    -1 keyring   _uid.32: 1/4
-	000004d3 I--Q--     3 perm 1f0000    32    -1 keyring   _uid_ses.32: empty
-	00000892 I--QU-     1 perm 1f0000     0     0 user      metal:copper: 0
-	00000893 I--Q-N     1  35s 1f0000     0     0 user      metal:silver: 0
-	00000894 I--Q--     1  10h 1f0000     0     0 user      metal:gold: 0
+	SERIAL   FLAGS  USAGE EXPY PERM     UID   GID   TYPE      DESCRIPTION: SUMMARY
+	00000001 I-----    39 perm 1f1f0000     0     0 keyring   _uid_ses.0: 1/4
+	00000002 I-----     2 perm 1f1f0000     0     0 keyring   _uid.0: empty
+	00000007 I-----     1 perm 1f1f0000     0     0 keyring   _pid.1: empty
+	0000018d I-----     1 perm 1f1f0000     0     0 keyring   _pid.412: empty
+	000004d2 I--Q--     1 perm 1f1f0000    32    -1 keyring   _uid.32: 1/4
+	000004d3 I--Q--     3 perm 1f1f0000    32    -1 keyring   _uid_ses.32: empty
+	00000892 I--QU-     1 perm 1f000000     0     0 user      metal:copper: 0
+	00000893 I--Q-N     1  35s 1f1f0000     0     0 user      metal:silver: 0
+	00000894 I--Q--     1  10h 001f0000     0     0 user      metal:gold: 0
 
      The flags are:
 
@@ -637,6 +637,34 @@
 two different users opening the same file is left to the filesystem author to
 solve.
 
+Note that there are two different types of pointers to keys that may be
+encountered:
+
+ (*) struct key *
+
+     This simply points to the key structure itself. Key structures will be at
+     least four-byte aligned.
+
+ (*) key_ref_t
+
+     This is equivalent to a struct key *, but the least significant bit is set
+     if the caller "possesses" the key. By "possession" it is meant that the
+     calling processes has a searchable link to the key from one of its
+     keyrings. There are three functions for dealing with these:
+
+	key_ref_t make_key_ref(const struct key *key,
+			       unsigned long possession);
+
+	struct key *key_ref_to_ptr(const key_ref_t key_ref);
+
+	unsigned long is_key_possessed(const key_ref_t key_ref);
+
+     The first function constructs a key reference from a key pointer and
+     possession information (which must be 0 or 1 and not any other value).
+
+     The second function retrieves the key pointer from a reference and the
+     third retrieves the possession flag.
+
 When accessing a key's payload contents, certain precautions must be taken to
 prevent access vs modification races. See the section "Notes on accessing
 payload contents" for more information.
@@ -665,7 +693,11 @@
 
 	void key_put(struct key *key);
 
-    This can be called from interrupt context. If CONFIG_KEYS is not set then
+    Or:
+
+	void key_ref_put(key_ref_t key_ref);
+
+    These can be called from interrupt context. If CONFIG_KEYS is not set then
     the argument will not be parsed.
 
 
@@ -689,13 +721,17 @@
 
 (*) If a keyring was found in the search, this can be further searched by:
 
-	struct key *keyring_search(struct key *keyring,
-				   const struct key_type *type,
-				   const char *description)
+	key_ref_t keyring_search(key_ref_t keyring_ref,
+				 const struct key_type *type,
+				 const char *description)
 
     This searches the keyring tree specified for a matching key. Error ENOKEY
-    is returned upon failure. If successful, the returned key will need to be
-    released.
+    is returned upon failure (use IS_ERR/PTR_ERR to determine). If successful,
+    the returned key will need to be released.
+
+    The possession attribute from the keyring reference is used to control
+    access through the permissions mask and is propagated to the returned key
+    reference pointer if successful.
 
 
 (*) To check the validity of a key, this function can be called:
@@ -732,7 +768,7 @@
 key->payload.data. One of the following ways must be selected to access the
 data:
 
- (1) Unmodifyable key type.
+ (1) Unmodifiable key type.
 
      If the key type does not have a modify method, then the key's payload can
      be accessed without any form of locking, provided that it's known to be
diff --git a/include/linux/key-ui.h b/include/linux/key-ui.h
index cc32617..918c34a 100644
--- a/include/linux/key-ui.h
+++ b/include/linux/key-ui.h
@@ -42,11 +42,14 @@
 /*
  * check to see whether permission is granted to use a key in the desired way
  */
-static inline int key_permission(const struct key *key, key_perm_t perm)
+static inline int key_permission(const key_ref_t key_ref, key_perm_t perm)
 {
+	struct key *key = key_ref_to_ptr(key_ref);
 	key_perm_t kperm;
 
-	if (key->uid == current->fsuid)
+	if (is_key_possessed(key_ref))
+		kperm = key->perm >> 24;
+	else if (key->uid == current->fsuid)
 		kperm = key->perm >> 16;
 	else if (key->gid != -1 &&
 		 key->perm & KEY_GRP_ALL &&
@@ -65,11 +68,14 @@
  * check to see whether permission is granted to use a key in at least one of
  * the desired ways
  */
-static inline int key_any_permission(const struct key *key, key_perm_t perm)
+static inline int key_any_permission(const key_ref_t key_ref, key_perm_t perm)
 {
+	struct key *key = key_ref_to_ptr(key_ref);
 	key_perm_t kperm;
 
-	if (key->uid == current->fsuid)
+	if (is_key_possessed(key_ref))
+		kperm = key->perm >> 24;
+	else if (key->uid == current->fsuid)
 		kperm = key->perm >> 16;
 	else if (key->gid != -1 &&
 		 key->perm & KEY_GRP_ALL &&
@@ -94,13 +100,17 @@
 	return ret;
 }
 
-static inline int key_task_permission(const struct key *key,
+static inline int key_task_permission(const key_ref_t key_ref,
 				      struct task_struct *context,
 				      key_perm_t perm)
 {
+	struct key *key = key_ref_to_ptr(key_ref);
 	key_perm_t kperm;
 
-	if (key->uid == context->fsuid) {
+	if (is_key_possessed(key_ref)) {
+		kperm = key->perm >> 24;
+	}
+	else if (key->uid == context->fsuid) {
 		kperm = key->perm >> 16;
 	}
 	else if (key->gid != -1 &&
@@ -121,9 +131,9 @@
 
 }
 
-extern struct key *lookup_user_key(struct task_struct *context,
-				   key_serial_t id, int create, int partial,
-				   key_perm_t perm);
+extern key_ref_t lookup_user_key(struct task_struct *context,
+				 key_serial_t id, int create, int partial,
+				 key_perm_t perm);
 
 extern long join_session_keyring(const char *name);
 
diff --git a/include/linux/key.h b/include/linux/key.h
index 970bbd9..f1efa01 100644
--- a/include/linux/key.h
+++ b/include/linux/key.h
@@ -35,11 +35,18 @@
 
 #undef KEY_DEBUGGING
 
-#define KEY_USR_VIEW	0x00010000	/* user can view a key's attributes */
-#define KEY_USR_READ	0x00020000	/* user can read key payload / view keyring */
-#define KEY_USR_WRITE	0x00040000	/* user can update key payload / add link to keyring */
-#define KEY_USR_SEARCH	0x00080000	/* user can find a key in search / search a keyring */
-#define KEY_USR_LINK	0x00100000	/* user can create a link to a key/keyring */
+#define KEY_POS_VIEW	0x01000000	/* possessor can view a key's attributes */
+#define KEY_POS_READ	0x02000000	/* possessor can read key payload / view keyring */
+#define KEY_POS_WRITE	0x04000000	/* possessor can update key payload / add link to keyring */
+#define KEY_POS_SEARCH	0x08000000	/* possessor can find a key in search / search a keyring */
+#define KEY_POS_LINK	0x10000000	/* possessor can create a link to a key/keyring */
+#define KEY_POS_ALL	0x1f000000
+
+#define KEY_USR_VIEW	0x00010000	/* user permissions... */
+#define KEY_USR_READ	0x00020000
+#define KEY_USR_WRITE	0x00040000
+#define KEY_USR_SEARCH	0x00080000
+#define KEY_USR_LINK	0x00100000
 #define KEY_USR_ALL	0x001f0000
 
 #define KEY_GRP_VIEW	0x00000100	/* group permissions... */
@@ -67,6 +74,38 @@
 
 /*****************************************************************************/
 /*
+ * key reference with possession attribute handling
+ *
+ * NOTE! key_ref_t is a typedef'd pointer to a type that is not actually
+ * defined. This is because we abuse the bottom bit of the reference to carry a
+ * flag to indicate whether the calling process possesses that key in one of
+ * its keyrings.
+ *
+ * the key_ref_t has been made a separate type so that the compiler can reject
+ * attempts to dereference it without proper conversion.
+ *
+ * the three functions are used to assemble and disassemble references
+ */
+typedef struct __key_reference_with_attributes *key_ref_t;
+
+static inline key_ref_t make_key_ref(const struct key *key,
+				     unsigned long possession)
+{
+	return (key_ref_t) ((unsigned long) key | possession);
+}
+
+static inline struct key *key_ref_to_ptr(const key_ref_t key_ref)
+{
+	return (struct key *) ((unsigned long) key_ref & ~1UL);
+}
+
+static inline unsigned long is_key_possessed(const key_ref_t key_ref)
+{
+	return (unsigned long) key_ref & 1UL;
+}
+
+/*****************************************************************************/
+/*
  * authentication token / access credential / keyring
  * - types of key include:
  *   - keyrings
@@ -215,20 +254,25 @@
 	return key;
 }
 
+static inline void key_ref_put(key_ref_t key_ref)
+{
+	key_put(key_ref_to_ptr(key_ref));
+}
+
 extern struct key *request_key(struct key_type *type,
 			       const char *description,
 			       const char *callout_info);
 
 extern int key_validate(struct key *key);
 
-extern struct key *key_create_or_update(struct key *keyring,
-					const char *type,
-					const char *description,
-					const void *payload,
-					size_t plen,
-					int not_in_quota);
+extern key_ref_t key_create_or_update(key_ref_t keyring,
+				      const char *type,
+				      const char *description,
+				      const void *payload,
+				      size_t plen,
+				      int not_in_quota);
 
-extern int key_update(struct key *key,
+extern int key_update(key_ref_t key,
 		      const void *payload,
 		      size_t plen);
 
@@ -243,9 +287,9 @@
 
 extern int keyring_clear(struct key *keyring);
 
-extern struct key *keyring_search(struct key *keyring,
-				  struct key_type *type,
-				  const char *description);
+extern key_ref_t keyring_search(key_ref_t keyring,
+				struct key_type *type,
+				const char *description);
 
 extern int keyring_add_key(struct key *keyring,
 			   struct key *key);
@@ -285,6 +329,10 @@
 #define key_serial(k)			0
 #define key_get(k) 			({ NULL; })
 #define key_put(k)			do { } while(0)
+#define key_ref_put(k)			do { } while(0)
+#define make_key_ref(k)			({ NULL; })
+#define key_ref_to_ptr(k)		({ NULL; })
+#define is_key_possessed(k)		0
 #define alloc_uid_keyring(u)		0
 #define switch_uid_keyring(u)		do { } while(0)
 #define __install_session_keyring(t, k)	({ NULL; })
diff --git a/security/keys/internal.h b/security/keys/internal.h
index 46c8602..db99ed4 100644
--- a/security/keys/internal.h
+++ b/security/keys/internal.h
@@ -71,26 +71,26 @@
 
 extern int __key_link(struct key *keyring, struct key *key);
 
-extern struct key *__keyring_search_one(struct key *keyring,
-					const struct key_type *type,
-					const char *description,
-					key_perm_t perm);
+extern key_ref_t __keyring_search_one(key_ref_t keyring_ref,
+				      const struct key_type *type,
+				      const char *description,
+				      key_perm_t perm);
 
 extern struct key *keyring_search_instkey(struct key *keyring,
 					  key_serial_t target_id);
 
 typedef int (*key_match_func_t)(const struct key *, const void *);
 
-extern struct key *keyring_search_aux(struct key *keyring,
-				      struct task_struct *tsk,
-				      struct key_type *type,
-				      const void *description,
-				      key_match_func_t match);
+extern key_ref_t keyring_search_aux(key_ref_t keyring_ref,
+				    struct task_struct *tsk,
+				    struct key_type *type,
+				    const void *description,
+				    key_match_func_t match);
 
-extern struct key *search_process_keyrings(struct key_type *type,
-					   const void *description,
-					   key_match_func_t match,
-					   struct task_struct *tsk);
+extern key_ref_t search_process_keyrings(struct key_type *type,
+					 const void *description,
+					 key_match_func_t match,
+					 struct task_struct *tsk);
 
 extern struct key *find_keyring_by_name(const char *name, key_serial_t bound);
 
diff --git a/security/keys/key.c b/security/keys/key.c
index fb89f98..2182be9 100644
--- a/security/keys/key.c
+++ b/security/keys/key.c
@@ -693,14 +693,15 @@
  * - the key has an incremented refcount
  * - we need to put the key if we get an error
  */
-static inline struct key *__key_update(struct key *key, const void *payload,
-				       size_t plen)
+static inline key_ref_t __key_update(key_ref_t key_ref,
+				     const void *payload, size_t plen)
 {
+	struct key *key = key_ref_to_ptr(key_ref);
 	int ret;
 
 	/* need write permission on the key to update it */
 	ret = -EACCES;
-	if (!key_permission(key, KEY_WRITE))
+	if (!key_permission(key_ref, KEY_WRITE))
 		goto error;
 
 	ret = -EEXIST;
@@ -719,12 +720,12 @@
 
 	if (ret < 0)
 		goto error;
- out:
-	return key;
+out:
+	return key_ref;
 
- error:
+error:
 	key_put(key);
-	key = ERR_PTR(ret);
+	key_ref = ERR_PTR(ret);
 	goto out;
 
 } /* end __key_update() */
@@ -734,52 +735,56 @@
  * search the specified keyring for a key of the same description; if one is
  * found, update it, otherwise add a new one
  */
-struct key *key_create_or_update(struct key *keyring,
-				 const char *type,
-				 const char *description,
-				 const void *payload,
-				 size_t plen,
-				 int not_in_quota)
+key_ref_t key_create_or_update(key_ref_t keyring_ref,
+			       const char *type,
+			       const char *description,
+			       const void *payload,
+			       size_t plen,
+			       int not_in_quota)
 {
 	struct key_type *ktype;
-	struct key *key = NULL;
+	struct key *keyring, *key = NULL;
 	key_perm_t perm;
+	key_ref_t key_ref;
 	int ret;
 
-	key_check(keyring);
-
 	/* look up the key type to see if it's one of the registered kernel
 	 * types */
 	ktype = key_type_lookup(type);
 	if (IS_ERR(ktype)) {
-		key = ERR_PTR(-ENODEV);
+		key_ref = ERR_PTR(-ENODEV);
 		goto error;
 	}
 
-	ret = -EINVAL;
+	key_ref = ERR_PTR(-EINVAL);
 	if (!ktype->match || !ktype->instantiate)
 		goto error_2;
 
+	keyring = key_ref_to_ptr(keyring_ref);
+
+	key_check(keyring);
+
+	down_write(&keyring->sem);
+
+	/* if we're going to allocate a new key, we're going to have
+	 * to modify the keyring */
+	key_ref = ERR_PTR(-EACCES);
+	if (!key_permission(keyring_ref, KEY_WRITE))
+		goto error_3;
+
 	/* search for an existing key of the same type and description in the
 	 * destination keyring
 	 */
-	down_write(&keyring->sem);
-
-	key = __keyring_search_one(keyring, ktype, description, 0);
-	if (!IS_ERR(key))
+	key_ref = __keyring_search_one(keyring_ref, ktype, description, 0);
+	if (!IS_ERR(key_ref))
 		goto found_matching_key;
 
-	/* if we're going to allocate a new key, we're going to have to modify
-	 * the keyring */
-	ret = -EACCES;
-	if (!key_permission(keyring, KEY_WRITE))
-		goto error_3;
-
 	/* decide on the permissions we want */
-	perm = KEY_USR_VIEW | KEY_USR_SEARCH | KEY_USR_LINK;
+	perm = KEY_POS_VIEW | KEY_POS_SEARCH | KEY_POS_LINK;
+	perm |= KEY_USR_VIEW | KEY_USR_SEARCH | KEY_USR_LINK;
 
 	if (ktype->read)
-		perm |= KEY_USR_READ;
+		perm |= KEY_POS_READ | KEY_USR_READ;
 
 	if (ktype == &key_type_keyring || ktype->update)
 		perm |= KEY_USR_WRITE;
@@ -788,7 +793,7 @@
 	key = key_alloc(ktype, description, current->fsuid, current->fsgid,
 			perm, not_in_quota);
 	if (IS_ERR(key)) {
-		ret = PTR_ERR(key);
+		key_ref = ERR_PTR(PTR_ERR(key));
 		goto error_3;
 	}
 
@@ -796,15 +801,18 @@
 	ret = __key_instantiate_and_link(key, payload, plen, keyring, NULL);
 	if (ret < 0) {
 		key_put(key);
-		key = ERR_PTR(ret);
+		key_ref = ERR_PTR(ret);
+		goto error_3;
 	}
 
+	key_ref = make_key_ref(key, is_key_possessed(keyring_ref));
+
  error_3:
 	up_write(&keyring->sem);
  error_2:
 	key_type_put(ktype);
  error:
-	return key;
+	return key_ref;
 
  found_matching_key:
 	/* we found a matching key, so we're going to try to update it
@@ -813,7 +821,7 @@
 	up_write(&keyring->sem);
 	key_type_put(ktype);
 
-	key = __key_update(key, payload, plen);
+	key_ref = __key_update(key_ref, payload, plen);
 	goto error;
 
 } /* end key_create_or_update() */
@@ -824,15 +832,16 @@
 /*
  * update a key
  */
-int key_update(struct key *key, const void *payload, size_t plen)
+int key_update(key_ref_t key_ref, const void *payload, size_t plen)
 {
+	struct key *key = key_ref_to_ptr(key_ref);
 	int ret;
 
 	key_check(key);
 
 	/* the key must be writable */
 	ret = -EACCES;
-	if (!key_permission(key, KEY_WRITE))
+	if (!key_permission(key_ref, KEY_WRITE))
 		goto error;
 
 	/* attempt to update it if supported */
diff --git a/security/keys/keyctl.c b/security/keys/keyctl.c
index a6516a6..4c670ee 100644
--- a/security/keys/keyctl.c
+++ b/security/keys/keyctl.c
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@
 			    size_t plen,
 			    key_serial_t ringid)
 {
-	struct key *keyring, *key;
+	key_ref_t keyring_ref, key_ref;
 	char type[32], *description;
 	void *payload;
 	long dlen, ret;
@@ -86,25 +86,25 @@
 	}
 
 	/* find the target keyring (which must be writable) */
-	keyring = lookup_user_key(NULL, ringid, 1, 0, KEY_WRITE);
-	if (IS_ERR(keyring)) {
-		ret = PTR_ERR(keyring);
+	keyring_ref = lookup_user_key(NULL, ringid, 1, 0, KEY_WRITE);
+	if (IS_ERR(keyring_ref)) {
+		ret = PTR_ERR(keyring_ref);
 		goto error3;
 	}
 
 	/* create or update the requested key and add it to the target
 	 * keyring */
-	key = key_create_or_update(keyring, type, description,
-				   payload, plen, 0);
-	if (!IS_ERR(key)) {
-		ret = key->serial;
-		key_put(key);
+	key_ref = key_create_or_update(keyring_ref, type, description,
+				       payload, plen, 0);
+	if (!IS_ERR(key_ref)) {
+		ret = key_ref_to_ptr(key_ref)->serial;
+		key_ref_put(key_ref);
 	}
 	else {
-		ret = PTR_ERR(key);
+		ret = PTR_ERR(key_ref);
 	}
 
-	key_put(keyring);
+	key_ref_put(keyring_ref);
  error3:
 	kfree(payload);
  error2:
@@ -131,7 +131,8 @@
 				key_serial_t destringid)
 {
 	struct key_type *ktype;
-	struct key *key, *dest;
+	struct key *key;
+	key_ref_t dest_ref;
 	char type[32], *description, *callout_info;
 	long dlen, ret;
 
@@ -187,11 +188,11 @@
 	}
 
 	/* get the destination keyring if specified */
-	dest = NULL;
+	dest_ref = NULL;
 	if (destringid) {
-		dest = lookup_user_key(NULL, destringid, 1, 0, KEY_WRITE);
-		if (IS_ERR(dest)) {
-			ret = PTR_ERR(dest);
+		dest_ref = lookup_user_key(NULL, destringid, 1, 0, KEY_WRITE);
+		if (IS_ERR(dest_ref)) {
+			ret = PTR_ERR(dest_ref);
 			goto error3;
 		}
 	}
@@ -204,7 +205,8 @@
 	}
 
 	/* do the search */
-	key = request_key_and_link(ktype, description, callout_info, dest);
+	key = request_key_and_link(ktype, description, callout_info,
+				   key_ref_to_ptr(dest_ref));
 	if (IS_ERR(key)) {
 		ret = PTR_ERR(key);
 		goto error5;
@@ -216,7 +218,7 @@
  error5:
 	key_type_put(ktype);
  error4:
-	key_put(dest);
+	key_ref_put(dest_ref);
  error3:
 	kfree(callout_info);
  error2:
@@ -234,17 +236,17 @@
  */
 long keyctl_get_keyring_ID(key_serial_t id, int create)
 {
-	struct key *key;
+	key_ref_t key_ref;
 	long ret;
 
-	key = lookup_user_key(NULL, id, create, 0, KEY_SEARCH);
-	if (IS_ERR(key)) {
-		ret = PTR_ERR(key);
+	key_ref = lookup_user_key(NULL, id, create, 0, KEY_SEARCH);
+	if (IS_ERR(key_ref)) {
+		ret = PTR_ERR(key_ref);
 		goto error;
 	}
 
-	ret = key->serial;
-	key_put(key);
+	ret = key_ref_to_ptr(key_ref)->serial;
+	key_ref_put(key_ref);
  error:
 	return ret;
 
@@ -302,7 +304,7 @@
 		       const void __user *_payload,
 		       size_t plen)
 {
-	struct key *key;
+	key_ref_t key_ref;
 	void *payload;
 	long ret;
 
@@ -324,16 +326,16 @@
 	}
 
 	/* find the target key (which must be writable) */
-	key = lookup_user_key(NULL, id, 0, 0, KEY_WRITE);
-	if (IS_ERR(key)) {
-		ret = PTR_ERR(key);
+	key_ref = lookup_user_key(NULL, id, 0, 0, KEY_WRITE);
+	if (IS_ERR(key_ref)) {
+		ret = PTR_ERR(key_ref);
 		goto error2;
 	}
 
 	/* update the key */
-	ret = key_update(key, payload, plen);
+	ret = key_update(key_ref, payload, plen);
 
-	key_put(key);
+	key_ref_put(key_ref);
  error2:
 	kfree(payload);
  error:
@@ -349,19 +351,19 @@
  */
 long keyctl_revoke_key(key_serial_t id)
 {
-	struct key *key;
+	key_ref_t key_ref;
 	long ret;
 
-	key = lookup_user_key(NULL, id, 0, 0, KEY_WRITE);
-	if (IS_ERR(key)) {
-		ret = PTR_ERR(key);
+	key_ref = lookup_user_key(NULL, id, 0, 0, KEY_WRITE);
+	if (IS_ERR(key_ref)) {
+		ret = PTR_ERR(key_ref);
 		goto error;
 	}
 
-	key_revoke(key);
+	key_revoke(key_ref_to_ptr(key_ref));
 	ret = 0;
 
-	key_put(key);
+	key_ref_put(key_ref);
  error:
 	return ret;
 
@@ -375,18 +377,18 @@
  */
 long keyctl_keyring_clear(key_serial_t ringid)
 {
-	struct key *keyring;
+	key_ref_t keyring_ref;
 	long ret;
 
-	keyring = lookup_user_key(NULL, ringid, 1, 0, KEY_WRITE);
-	if (IS_ERR(keyring)) {
-		ret = PTR_ERR(keyring);
+	keyring_ref = lookup_user_key(NULL, ringid, 1, 0, KEY_WRITE);
+	if (IS_ERR(keyring_ref)) {
+		ret = PTR_ERR(keyring_ref);
 		goto error;
 	}
 
-	ret = keyring_clear(keyring);
+	ret = keyring_clear(key_ref_to_ptr(keyring_ref));
 
-	key_put(keyring);
+	key_ref_put(keyring_ref);
  error:
 	return ret;
 
@@ -401,26 +403,26 @@
  */
 long keyctl_keyring_link(key_serial_t id, key_serial_t ringid)
 {
-	struct key *keyring, *key;
+	key_ref_t keyring_ref, key_ref;
 	long ret;
 
-	keyring = lookup_user_key(NULL, ringid, 1, 0, KEY_WRITE);
-	if (IS_ERR(keyring)) {
-		ret = PTR_ERR(keyring);
+	keyring_ref = lookup_user_key(NULL, ringid, 1, 0, KEY_WRITE);
+	if (IS_ERR(keyring_ref)) {
+		ret = PTR_ERR(keyring_ref);
 		goto error;
 	}
 
-	key = lookup_user_key(NULL, id, 1, 0, KEY_LINK);
-	if (IS_ERR(key)) {
-		ret = PTR_ERR(key);
+	key_ref = lookup_user_key(NULL, id, 1, 0, KEY_LINK);
+	if (IS_ERR(key_ref)) {
+		ret = PTR_ERR(key_ref);
 		goto error2;
 	}
 
-	ret = key_link(keyring, key);
+	ret = key_link(key_ref_to_ptr(keyring_ref), key_ref_to_ptr(key_ref));
 
-	key_put(key);
+	key_ref_put(key_ref);
  error2:
-	key_put(keyring);
+	key_ref_put(keyring_ref);
  error:
 	return ret;
 
@@ -435,26 +437,26 @@
  */
 long keyctl_keyring_unlink(key_serial_t id, key_serial_t ringid)
 {
-	struct key *keyring, *key;
+	key_ref_t keyring_ref, key_ref;
 	long ret;
 
-	keyring = lookup_user_key(NULL, ringid, 0, 0, KEY_WRITE);
-	if (IS_ERR(keyring)) {
-		ret = PTR_ERR(keyring);
+	keyring_ref = lookup_user_key(NULL, ringid, 0, 0, KEY_WRITE);
+	if (IS_ERR(keyring_ref)) {
+		ret = PTR_ERR(keyring_ref);
 		goto error;
 	}
 
-	key = lookup_user_key(NULL, id, 0, 0, 0);
-	if (IS_ERR(key)) {
-		ret = PTR_ERR(key);
+	key_ref = lookup_user_key(NULL, id, 0, 0, 0);
+	if (IS_ERR(key_ref)) {
+		ret = PTR_ERR(key_ref);
 		goto error2;
 	}
 
-	ret = key_unlink(keyring, key);
+	ret = key_unlink(key_ref_to_ptr(keyring_ref), key_ref_to_ptr(key_ref));
 
-	key_put(key);
+	key_ref_put(key_ref);
  error2:
-	key_put(keyring);
+	key_ref_put(keyring_ref);
  error:
 	return ret;
 
@@ -476,24 +478,26 @@
 			 size_t buflen)
 {
 	struct key *key, *instkey;
+	key_ref_t key_ref;
 	char *tmpbuf;
 	long ret;
 
-	key = lookup_user_key(NULL, keyid, 0, 1, KEY_VIEW);
-	if (IS_ERR(key)) {
+	key_ref = lookup_user_key(NULL, keyid, 0, 1, KEY_VIEW);
+	if (IS_ERR(key_ref)) {
 		/* viewing a key under construction is permitted if we have the
 		 * authorisation token handy */
-		if (PTR_ERR(key) == -EACCES) {
+		if (PTR_ERR(key_ref) == -EACCES) {
 			instkey = key_get_instantiation_authkey(keyid);
 			if (!IS_ERR(instkey)) {
 				key_put(instkey);
-				key = lookup_user_key(NULL, keyid, 0, 1, 0);
-				if (!IS_ERR(key))
+				key_ref = lookup_user_key(NULL, keyid,
+							  0, 1, 0);
+				if (!IS_ERR(key_ref))
 					goto okay;
 			}
 		}
 
-		ret = PTR_ERR(key);
+		ret = PTR_ERR(key_ref);
 		goto error;
 	}
 
@@ -504,13 +508,16 @@
 	if (!tmpbuf)
 		goto error2;
 
+	key = key_ref_to_ptr(key_ref);
+
 	ret = snprintf(tmpbuf, PAGE_SIZE - 1,
-		       "%s;%d;%d;%06x;%s",
-		       key->type->name,
-		       key->uid,
-		       key->gid,
-		       key->perm,
-		       key->description ? key->description :""
+		       "%s;%d;%d;%08x;%s",
+		       key_ref_to_ptr(key_ref)->type->name,
+		       key_ref_to_ptr(key_ref)->uid,
+		       key_ref_to_ptr(key_ref)->gid,
+		       key_ref_to_ptr(key_ref)->perm,
+		       key_ref_to_ptr(key_ref)->description ?
+		       key_ref_to_ptr(key_ref)->description : ""
 		       );
 
 	/* include a NUL char at the end of the data */
@@ -530,7 +537,7 @@
 
 	kfree(tmpbuf);
  error2:
-	key_put(key);
+	key_ref_put(key_ref);
  error:
 	return ret;
 
@@ -552,7 +559,7 @@
 			   key_serial_t destringid)
 {
 	struct key_type *ktype;
-	struct key *keyring, *key, *dest;
+	key_ref_t keyring_ref, key_ref, dest_ref;
 	char type[32], *description;
 	long dlen, ret;
 
@@ -581,18 +588,18 @@
 		goto error2;
 
 	/* get the keyring at which to begin the search */
-	keyring = lookup_user_key(NULL, ringid, 0, 0, KEY_SEARCH);
-	if (IS_ERR(keyring)) {
-		ret = PTR_ERR(keyring);
+	keyring_ref = lookup_user_key(NULL, ringid, 0, 0, KEY_SEARCH);
+	if (IS_ERR(keyring_ref)) {
+		ret = PTR_ERR(keyring_ref);
 		goto error2;
 	}
 
 	/* get the destination keyring if specified */
-	dest = NULL;
+	dest_ref = NULL;
 	if (destringid) {
-		dest = lookup_user_key(NULL, destringid, 1, 0, KEY_WRITE);
-		if (IS_ERR(dest)) {
-			ret = PTR_ERR(dest);
+		dest_ref = lookup_user_key(NULL, destringid, 1, 0, KEY_WRITE);
+		if (IS_ERR(dest_ref)) {
+			ret = PTR_ERR(dest_ref);
 			goto error3;
 		}
 	}
@@ -605,9 +612,9 @@
 	}
 
 	/* do the search */
-	key = keyring_search(keyring, ktype, description);
-	if (IS_ERR(key)) {
-		ret = PTR_ERR(key);
+	key_ref = keyring_search(keyring_ref, ktype, description);
+	if (IS_ERR(key_ref)) {
+		ret = PTR_ERR(key_ref);
 
 		/* treat lack or presence of a negative key the same */
 		if (ret == -EAGAIN)
@@ -616,26 +623,26 @@
 	}
 
 	/* link the resulting key to the destination keyring if we can */
-	if (dest) {
+	if (dest_ref) {
 		ret = -EACCES;
-		if (!key_permission(key, KEY_LINK))
+		if (!key_permission(key_ref, KEY_LINK))
 			goto error6;
 
-		ret = key_link(dest, key);
+		ret = key_link(key_ref_to_ptr(dest_ref), key_ref_to_ptr(key_ref));
 		if (ret < 0)
 			goto error6;
 	}
 
-	ret = key->serial;
+	ret = key_ref_to_ptr(key_ref)->serial;
 
  error6:
-	key_put(key);
+	key_ref_put(key_ref);
  error5:
 	key_type_put(ktype);
  error4:
-	key_put(dest);
+	key_ref_put(dest_ref);
  error3:
-	key_put(keyring);
+	key_ref_put(keyring_ref);
  error2:
 	kfree(description);
  error:
@@ -645,16 +652,6 @@
 
 /*****************************************************************************/
 /*
- * see if the key we're looking at is the target key
- */
-static int keyctl_read_key_same(const struct key *key, const void *target)
-{
-	return key == target;
-
-} /* end keyctl_read_key_same() */
-
-/*****************************************************************************/
-/*
  * read a user key's payload
  * - the keyring must be readable or the key must be searchable from the
  *   process's keyrings
@@ -665,38 +662,33 @@
  */
 long keyctl_read_key(key_serial_t keyid, char __user *buffer, size_t buflen)
 {
-	struct key *key, *skey;
+	struct key *key;
+	key_ref_t key_ref;
 	long ret;
 
 	/* find the key first */
-	key = lookup_user_key(NULL, keyid, 0, 0, 0);
-	if (!IS_ERR(key)) {
-		/* see if we can read it directly */
-		if (key_permission(key, KEY_READ))
-			goto can_read_key;
+	key_ref = lookup_user_key(NULL, keyid, 0, 0, 0);
+	if (IS_ERR(key_ref)) {
+		ret = -ENOKEY;
+		goto error;
+	}
 
-		/* we can't; see if it's searchable from this process's
-		 * keyrings
-		 * - we automatically take account of the fact that it may be
-		 *   dangling off an instantiation key
-		 */
-		skey = search_process_keyrings(key->type, key,
-					       keyctl_read_key_same, current);
-		if (!IS_ERR(skey))
-			goto can_read_key2;
+	key = key_ref_to_ptr(key_ref);
 
-		ret = PTR_ERR(skey);
-		if (ret == -EAGAIN)
-			ret = -EACCES;
+	/* see if we can read it directly */
+	if (key_permission(key_ref, KEY_READ))
+		goto can_read_key;
+
+	/* we can't; see if it's searchable from this process's keyrings
+	 * - we automatically take account of the fact that it may be
+	 *   dangling off an instantiation key
+	 */
+	if (!is_key_possessed(key_ref)) {
+		ret = -EACCES;
 		goto error2;
 	}
 
-	ret = -ENOKEY;
-	goto error;
-
 	/* the key is probably readable - now try to read it */
- can_read_key2:
-	key_put(skey);
  can_read_key:
 	ret = key_validate(key);
 	if (ret == 0) {
@@ -727,18 +719,21 @@
 long keyctl_chown_key(key_serial_t id, uid_t uid, gid_t gid)
 {
 	struct key *key;
+	key_ref_t key_ref;
 	long ret;
 
 	ret = 0;
 	if (uid == (uid_t) -1 && gid == (gid_t) -1)
 		goto error;
 
-	key = lookup_user_key(NULL, id, 1, 1, 0);
-	if (IS_ERR(key)) {
-		ret = PTR_ERR(key);
+	key_ref = lookup_user_key(NULL, id, 1, 1, 0);
+	if (IS_ERR(key_ref)) {
+		ret = PTR_ERR(key_ref);
 		goto error;
 	}
 
+	key = key_ref_to_ptr(key_ref);
+
 	/* make the changes with the locks held to prevent chown/chown races */
 	ret = -EACCES;
 	down_write(&key->sem);
@@ -784,18 +779,21 @@
 long keyctl_setperm_key(key_serial_t id, key_perm_t perm)
 {
 	struct key *key;
+	key_ref_t key_ref;
 	long ret;
 
 	ret = -EINVAL;
-	if (perm & ~(KEY_USR_ALL | KEY_GRP_ALL | KEY_OTH_ALL))
+	if (perm & ~(KEY_POS_ALL | KEY_USR_ALL | KEY_GRP_ALL | KEY_OTH_ALL))
 		goto error;
 
-	key = lookup_user_key(NULL, id, 1, 1, 0);
-	if (IS_ERR(key)) {
-		ret = PTR_ERR(key);
+	key_ref = lookup_user_key(NULL, id, 1, 1, 0);
+	if (IS_ERR(key_ref)) {
+		ret = PTR_ERR(key_ref);
 		goto error;
 	}
 
+	key = key_ref_to_ptr(key_ref);
+
 	/* make the changes with the locks held to prevent chown/chmod races */
 	ret = -EACCES;
 	down_write(&key->sem);
@@ -824,7 +822,8 @@
 			    key_serial_t ringid)
 {
 	struct request_key_auth *rka;
-	struct key *instkey, *keyring;
+	struct key *instkey;
+	key_ref_t keyring_ref;
 	void *payload;
 	long ret;
 
@@ -857,21 +856,21 @@
 
 	/* find the destination keyring amongst those belonging to the
 	 * requesting task */
-	keyring = NULL;
+	keyring_ref = NULL;
 	if (ringid) {
-		keyring = lookup_user_key(rka->context, ringid, 1, 0,
-					  KEY_WRITE);
-		if (IS_ERR(keyring)) {
-			ret = PTR_ERR(keyring);
+		keyring_ref = lookup_user_key(rka->context, ringid, 1, 0,
+					      KEY_WRITE);
+		if (IS_ERR(keyring_ref)) {
+			ret = PTR_ERR(keyring_ref);
 			goto error3;
 		}
 	}
 
 	/* instantiate the key and link it into a keyring */
 	ret = key_instantiate_and_link(rka->target_key, payload, plen,
-				       keyring, instkey);
+				       key_ref_to_ptr(keyring_ref), instkey);
 
-	key_put(keyring);
+	key_ref_put(keyring_ref);
  error3:
 	key_put(instkey);
  error2:
@@ -889,7 +888,8 @@
 long keyctl_negate_key(key_serial_t id, unsigned timeout, key_serial_t ringid)
 {
 	struct request_key_auth *rka;
-	struct key *instkey, *keyring;
+	struct key *instkey;
+	key_ref_t keyring_ref;
 	long ret;
 
 	/* find the instantiation authorisation key */
@@ -903,19 +903,20 @@
 
 	/* find the destination keyring if present (which must also be
 	 * writable) */
-	keyring = NULL;
+	keyring_ref = NULL;
 	if (ringid) {
-		keyring = lookup_user_key(NULL, ringid, 1, 0, KEY_WRITE);
-		if (IS_ERR(keyring)) {
-			ret = PTR_ERR(keyring);
+		keyring_ref = lookup_user_key(NULL, ringid, 1, 0, KEY_WRITE);
+		if (IS_ERR(keyring_ref)) {
+			ret = PTR_ERR(keyring_ref);
 			goto error2;
 		}
 	}
 
 	/* instantiate the key and link it into a keyring */
-	ret = key_negate_and_link(rka->target_key, timeout, keyring, instkey);
+	ret = key_negate_and_link(rka->target_key, timeout,
+				  key_ref_to_ptr(keyring_ref), instkey);
 
-	key_put(keyring);
+	key_ref_put(keyring_ref);
  error2:
 	key_put(instkey);
  error:
diff --git a/security/keys/keyring.c b/security/keys/keyring.c
index 9c208c7..0639396 100644
--- a/security/keys/keyring.c
+++ b/security/keys/keyring.c
@@ -309,7 +309,7 @@
 	int ret;
 
 	keyring = key_alloc(&key_type_keyring, description,
-			    uid, gid, KEY_USR_ALL, not_in_quota);
+			    uid, gid, KEY_POS_ALL | KEY_USR_ALL, not_in_quota);
 
 	if (!IS_ERR(keyring)) {
 		ret = key_instantiate_and_link(keyring, NULL, 0, dest, NULL);
@@ -333,12 +333,13 @@
  * - we rely on RCU to prevent the keyring lists from disappearing on us
  * - we return -EAGAIN if we didn't find any matching key
  * - we return -ENOKEY if we only found negative matching keys
+ * - we propagate the possession attribute from the keyring ref to the key ref
  */
-struct key *keyring_search_aux(struct key *keyring,
-			       struct task_struct *context,
-			       struct key_type *type,
-			       const void *description,
-			       key_match_func_t match)
+key_ref_t keyring_search_aux(key_ref_t keyring_ref,
+			     struct task_struct *context,
+			     struct key_type *type,
+			     const void *description,
+			     key_match_func_t match)
 {
 	struct {
 		struct keyring_list *keylist;
@@ -347,29 +348,33 @@
 
 	struct keyring_list *keylist;
 	struct timespec now;
-	struct key *key;
+	unsigned long possessed;
+	struct key *keyring, *key;
+	key_ref_t key_ref;
 	long err;
 	int sp, kix;
 
+	keyring = key_ref_to_ptr(keyring_ref);
+	possessed = is_key_possessed(keyring_ref);
 	key_check(keyring);
 
-	rcu_read_lock();
-
 	/* top keyring must have search permission to begin the search */
-	key = ERR_PTR(-EACCES);
-	if (!key_task_permission(keyring, context, KEY_SEARCH))
+	key_ref = ERR_PTR(-EACCES);
+	if (!key_task_permission(keyring_ref, context, KEY_SEARCH))
 		goto error;
 
-	key = ERR_PTR(-ENOTDIR);
+	key_ref = ERR_PTR(-ENOTDIR);
 	if (keyring->type != &key_type_keyring)
 		goto error;
 
+	rcu_read_lock();
+
 	now = current_kernel_time();
 	err = -EAGAIN;
 	sp = 0;
 
 	/* start processing a new keyring */
- descend:
+descend:
 	if (test_bit(KEY_FLAG_REVOKED, &keyring->flags))
 		goto not_this_keyring;
 
@@ -397,7 +402,8 @@
 			continue;
 
 		/* key must have search permissions */
-		if (!key_task_permission(key, context, KEY_SEARCH))
+		if (!key_task_permission(make_key_ref(key, possessed),
+					 context, KEY_SEARCH))
 			continue;
 
 		/* we set a different error code if we find a negative key */
@@ -411,7 +417,7 @@
 
 	/* search through the keyrings nested in this one */
 	kix = 0;
- ascend:
+ascend:
 	for (; kix < keylist->nkeys; kix++) {
 		key = keylist->keys[kix];
 		if (key->type != &key_type_keyring)
@@ -423,7 +429,8 @@
 		if (sp >= KEYRING_SEARCH_MAX_DEPTH)
 			continue;
 
-		if (!key_task_permission(key, context, KEY_SEARCH))
+		if (!key_task_permission(make_key_ref(key, possessed),
+					 context, KEY_SEARCH))
 			continue;
 
 		/* stack the current position */
@@ -438,7 +445,7 @@
 
 	/* the keyring we're looking at was disqualified or didn't contain a
 	 * matching key */
- not_this_keyring:
+not_this_keyring:
 	if (sp > 0) {
 		/* resume the processing of a keyring higher up in the tree */
 		sp--;
@@ -447,16 +454,18 @@
 		goto ascend;
 	}
 
-	key = ERR_PTR(err);
-	goto error;
+	key_ref = ERR_PTR(err);
+	goto error_2;
 
 	/* we found a viable match */
- found:
+found:
 	atomic_inc(&key->usage);
 	key_check(key);
- error:
+	key_ref = make_key_ref(key, possessed);
+error_2:
 	rcu_read_unlock();
-	return key;
+error:
+	return key_ref;
 
 } /* end keyring_search_aux() */
 
@@ -469,9 +478,9 @@
  * - we return -EAGAIN if we didn't find any matching key
  * - we return -ENOKEY if we only found negative matching keys
  */
-struct key *keyring_search(struct key *keyring,
-			   struct key_type *type,
-			   const char *description)
+key_ref_t keyring_search(key_ref_t keyring,
+			 struct key_type *type,
+			 const char *description)
 {
 	if (!type->match)
 		return ERR_PTR(-ENOKEY);
@@ -488,15 +497,19 @@
  * search the given keyring only (no recursion)
  * - keyring must be locked by caller
  */
-struct key *__keyring_search_one(struct key *keyring,
-				 const struct key_type *ktype,
-				 const char *description,
-				 key_perm_t perm)
+key_ref_t __keyring_search_one(key_ref_t keyring_ref,
+			       const struct key_type *ktype,
+			       const char *description,
+			       key_perm_t perm)
 {
 	struct keyring_list *klist;
-	struct key *key;
+	unsigned long possessed;
+	struct key *keyring, *key;
 	int loop;
 
+	keyring = key_ref_to_ptr(keyring_ref);
+	possessed = is_key_possessed(keyring_ref);
+
 	rcu_read_lock();
 
 	klist = rcu_dereference(keyring->payload.subscriptions);
@@ -507,21 +520,21 @@
 			if (key->type == ktype &&
 			    (!key->type->match ||
 			     key->type->match(key, description)) &&
-			    key_permission(key, perm) &&
+			    key_permission(make_key_ref(key, possessed),
+					   perm) &&
 			    !test_bit(KEY_FLAG_REVOKED, &key->flags)
 			    )
 				goto found;
 		}
 	}
 
-	key = ERR_PTR(-ENOKEY);
-	goto error;
+	rcu_read_unlock();
+	return ERR_PTR(-ENOKEY);
 
  found:
 	atomic_inc(&key->usage);
- error:
 	rcu_read_unlock();
-	return key;
+	return make_key_ref(key, possessed);
 
 } /* end __keyring_search_one() */
 
@@ -603,7 +616,8 @@
 			if (strcmp(keyring->description, name) != 0)
 				continue;
 
-			if (!key_permission(keyring, KEY_SEARCH))
+			if (!key_permission(make_key_ref(keyring, 0),
+					    KEY_SEARCH))
 				continue;
 
 			/* found a potential candidate, but we still need to
diff --git a/security/keys/proc.c b/security/keys/proc.c
index c55cf1f..12b750e 100644
--- a/security/keys/proc.c
+++ b/security/keys/proc.c
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@
 #define showflag(KEY, LETTER, FLAG) \
 	(test_bit(FLAG,	&(KEY)->flags) ? LETTER : '-')
 
-	seq_printf(m, "%08x %c%c%c%c%c%c %5d %4s %06x %5d %5d %-9.9s ",
+	seq_printf(m, "%08x %c%c%c%c%c%c %5d %4s %08x %5d %5d %-9.9s ",
 		   key->serial,
 		   showflag(key, 'I', KEY_FLAG_INSTANTIATED),
 		   showflag(key, 'R', KEY_FLAG_REVOKED),
diff --git a/security/keys/process_keys.c b/security/keys/process_keys.c
index c089f78..d42d215 100644
--- a/security/keys/process_keys.c
+++ b/security/keys/process_keys.c
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@
 	.type		= &key_type_keyring,
 	.user		= &root_key_user,
 	.sem		= __RWSEM_INITIALIZER(root_user_keyring.sem),
-	.perm		= KEY_USR_ALL,
+	.perm		= KEY_POS_ALL | KEY_USR_ALL,
 	.flags		= 1 << KEY_FLAG_INSTANTIATED,
 	.description	= "_uid.0",
 #ifdef KEY_DEBUGGING
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@
 	.type		= &key_type_keyring,
 	.user		= &root_key_user,
 	.sem		= __RWSEM_INITIALIZER(root_session_keyring.sem),
-	.perm		= KEY_USR_ALL,
+	.perm		= KEY_POS_ALL | KEY_USR_ALL,
 	.flags		= 1 << KEY_FLAG_INSTANTIATED,
 	.description	= "_uid_ses.0",
 #ifdef KEY_DEBUGGING
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@
 	user->session_keyring = session_keyring;
 	ret = 0;
 
- error:
+error:
 	return ret;
 
 } /* end alloc_uid_keyring() */
@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@
 	ret = 0;
 
 	key_put(old);
- error:
+error:
 	return ret;
 
 } /* end install_thread_keyring() */
@@ -193,7 +193,7 @@
 	}
 
 	ret = 0;
- error:
+error:
 	return ret;
 
 } /* end install_process_keyring() */
@@ -236,7 +236,7 @@
 	/* we're using RCU on the pointer */
 	synchronize_rcu();
 	key_put(old);
- error:
+error:
 	return ret;
 
 } /* end install_session_keyring() */
@@ -376,13 +376,13 @@
  * - we return -EAGAIN if we didn't find any matching key
  * - we return -ENOKEY if we found only negative matching keys
  */
-struct key *search_process_keyrings(struct key_type *type,
-				    const void *description,
-				    key_match_func_t match,
-				    struct task_struct *context)
+key_ref_t search_process_keyrings(struct key_type *type,
+				  const void *description,
+				  key_match_func_t match,
+				  struct task_struct *context)
 {
 	struct request_key_auth *rka;
-	struct key *key, *ret, *err, *instkey;
+	key_ref_t key_ref, ret, err, instkey_ref;
 
 	/* we want to return -EAGAIN or -ENOKEY if any of the keyrings were
 	 * searchable, but we failed to find a key or we found a negative key;
@@ -391,46 +391,48 @@
 	 *
 	 * in terms of priority: success > -ENOKEY > -EAGAIN > other error
 	 */
-	key = NULL;
+	key_ref = NULL;
 	ret = NULL;
 	err = ERR_PTR(-EAGAIN);
 
 	/* search the thread keyring first */
 	if (context->thread_keyring) {
-		key = keyring_search_aux(context->thread_keyring,
-					 context, type, description, match);
-		if (!IS_ERR(key))
+		key_ref = keyring_search_aux(
+			make_key_ref(context->thread_keyring, 1),
+			context, type, description, match);
+		if (!IS_ERR(key_ref))
 			goto found;
 
-		switch (PTR_ERR(key)) {
+		switch (PTR_ERR(key_ref)) {
 		case -EAGAIN: /* no key */
 			if (ret)
 				break;
 		case -ENOKEY: /* negative key */
-			ret = key;
+			ret = key_ref;
 			break;
 		default:
-			err = key;
+			err = key_ref;
 			break;
 		}
 	}
 
 	/* search the process keyring second */
 	if (context->signal->process_keyring) {
-		key = keyring_search_aux(context->signal->process_keyring,
-					 context, type, description, match);
-		if (!IS_ERR(key))
+		key_ref = keyring_search_aux(
+			make_key_ref(context->signal->process_keyring, 1),
+			context, type, description, match);
+		if (!IS_ERR(key_ref))
 			goto found;
 
-		switch (PTR_ERR(key)) {
+		switch (PTR_ERR(key_ref)) {
 		case -EAGAIN: /* no key */
 			if (ret)
 				break;
 		case -ENOKEY: /* negative key */
-			ret = key;
+			ret = key_ref;
 			break;
 		default:
-			err = key;
+			err = key_ref;
 			break;
 		}
 	}
@@ -438,23 +440,25 @@
 	/* search the session keyring */
 	if (context->signal->session_keyring) {
 		rcu_read_lock();
-		key = keyring_search_aux(
-			rcu_dereference(context->signal->session_keyring),
+		key_ref = keyring_search_aux(
+			make_key_ref(rcu_dereference(
+					     context->signal->session_keyring),
+				     1),
 			context, type, description, match);
 		rcu_read_unlock();
 
-		if (!IS_ERR(key))
+		if (!IS_ERR(key_ref))
 			goto found;
 
-		switch (PTR_ERR(key)) {
+		switch (PTR_ERR(key_ref)) {
 		case -EAGAIN: /* no key */
 			if (ret)
 				break;
 		case -ENOKEY: /* negative key */
-			ret = key;
+			ret = key_ref;
 			break;
 		default:
-			err = key;
+			err = key_ref;
 			break;
 		}
 
@@ -465,51 +469,54 @@
 			goto no_key;
 
 		rcu_read_lock();
-		instkey = __keyring_search_one(
-			rcu_dereference(context->signal->session_keyring),
+		instkey_ref = __keyring_search_one(
+			make_key_ref(rcu_dereference(
+					     context->signal->session_keyring),
+				     1),
 			&key_type_request_key_auth, NULL, 0);
 		rcu_read_unlock();
 
-		if (IS_ERR(instkey))
+		if (IS_ERR(instkey_ref))
 			goto no_key;
 
-		rka = instkey->payload.data;
+		rka = key_ref_to_ptr(instkey_ref)->payload.data;
 
-		key = search_process_keyrings(type, description, match,
-					      rka->context);
-		key_put(instkey);
+		key_ref = search_process_keyrings(type, description, match,
+						  rka->context);
+		key_ref_put(instkey_ref);
 
-		if (!IS_ERR(key))
+		if (!IS_ERR(key_ref))
 			goto found;
 
-		switch (PTR_ERR(key)) {
+		switch (PTR_ERR(key_ref)) {
 		case -EAGAIN: /* no key */
 			if (ret)
 				break;
 		case -ENOKEY: /* negative key */
-			ret = key;
+			ret = key_ref;
 			break;
 		default:
-			err = key;
+			err = key_ref;
 			break;
 		}
 	}
 	/* or search the user-session keyring */
 	else {
-		key = keyring_search_aux(context->user->session_keyring,
-					 context, type, description, match);
-		if (!IS_ERR(key))
+		key_ref = keyring_search_aux(
+			make_key_ref(context->user->session_keyring, 1),
+			context, type, description, match);
+		if (!IS_ERR(key_ref))
 			goto found;
 
-		switch (PTR_ERR(key)) {
+		switch (PTR_ERR(key_ref)) {
 		case -EAGAIN: /* no key */
 			if (ret)
 				break;
 		case -ENOKEY: /* negative key */
-			ret = key;
+			ret = key_ref;
 			break;
 		default:
-			err = key;
+			err = key_ref;
 			break;
 		}
 	}
@@ -517,29 +524,40 @@
 
 no_key:
 	/* no key - decide on the error we're going to go for */
-	key = ret ? ret : err;
+	key_ref = ret ? ret : err;
 
 found:
-	return key;
+	return key_ref;
 
 } /* end search_process_keyrings() */
 
 /*****************************************************************************/
 /*
+ * see if the key we're looking at is the target key
+ */
+static int lookup_user_key_possessed(const struct key *key, const void *target)
+{
+	return key == target;
+
+} /* end lookup_user_key_possessed() */
+
+/*****************************************************************************/
+/*
  * lookup a key given a key ID from userspace with a given permissions mask
  * - don't create special keyrings unless so requested
  * - partially constructed keys aren't found unless requested
  */
-struct key *lookup_user_key(struct task_struct *context, key_serial_t id,
-			    int create, int partial, key_perm_t perm)
+key_ref_t lookup_user_key(struct task_struct *context, key_serial_t id,
+			  int create, int partial, key_perm_t perm)
 {
+	key_ref_t key_ref, skey_ref;
 	struct key *key;
 	int ret;
 
 	if (!context)
 		context = current;
 
-	key = ERR_PTR(-ENOKEY);
+	key_ref = ERR_PTR(-ENOKEY);
 
 	switch (id) {
 	case KEY_SPEC_THREAD_KEYRING:
@@ -556,6 +574,7 @@
 
 		key = context->thread_keyring;
 		atomic_inc(&key->usage);
+		key_ref = make_key_ref(key, 1);
 		break;
 
 	case KEY_SPEC_PROCESS_KEYRING:
@@ -572,6 +591,7 @@
 
 		key = context->signal->process_keyring;
 		atomic_inc(&key->usage);
+		key_ref = make_key_ref(key, 1);
 		break;
 
 	case KEY_SPEC_SESSION_KEYRING:
@@ -579,7 +599,7 @@
 			/* always install a session keyring upon access if one
 			 * doesn't exist yet */
 			ret = install_session_keyring(
-			       context, context->user->session_keyring);
+				context, context->user->session_keyring);
 			if (ret < 0)
 				goto error;
 		}
@@ -588,16 +608,19 @@
 		key = rcu_dereference(context->signal->session_keyring);
 		atomic_inc(&key->usage);
 		rcu_read_unlock();
+		key_ref = make_key_ref(key, 1);
 		break;
 
 	case KEY_SPEC_USER_KEYRING:
 		key = context->user->uid_keyring;
 		atomic_inc(&key->usage);
+		key_ref = make_key_ref(key, 1);
 		break;
 
 	case KEY_SPEC_USER_SESSION_KEYRING:
 		key = context->user->session_keyring;
 		atomic_inc(&key->usage);
+		key_ref = make_key_ref(key, 1);
 		break;
 
 	case KEY_SPEC_GROUP_KEYRING:
@@ -606,13 +629,28 @@
 		goto error;
 
 	default:
-		key = ERR_PTR(-EINVAL);
+		key_ref = ERR_PTR(-EINVAL);
 		if (id < 1)
 			goto error;
 
 		key = key_lookup(id);
-		if (IS_ERR(key))
+		if (IS_ERR(key)) {
+			key_ref = ERR_PTR(PTR_ERR(key));
 			goto error;
+		}
+
+		key_ref = make_key_ref(key, 0);
+
+		/* check to see if we possess the key */
+		skey_ref = search_process_keyrings(key->type, key,
+						   lookup_user_key_possessed,
+						   current);
+
+		if (!IS_ERR(skey_ref)) {
+			key_put(key);
+			key_ref = skey_ref;
+		}
+
 		break;
 	}
 
@@ -630,15 +668,15 @@
 	/* check the permissions */
 	ret = -EACCES;
 
-	if (!key_task_permission(key, context, perm))
+	if (!key_task_permission(key_ref, context, perm))
 		goto invalid_key;
 
- error:
-	return key;
+error:
+	return key_ref;
 
- invalid_key:
-	key_put(key);
-	key = ERR_PTR(ret);
+invalid_key:
+	key_ref_put(key_ref);
+	key_ref = ERR_PTR(ret);
 	goto error;
 
 } /* end lookup_user_key() */
@@ -694,9 +732,9 @@
 	ret = keyring->serial;
 	key_put(keyring);
 
- error2:
+error2:
 	up(&key_session_sem);
- error:
+error:
 	return ret;
 
 } /* end join_session_keyring() */
diff --git a/security/keys/request_key.c b/security/keys/request_key.c
index 90c1506..e6dd366 100644
--- a/security/keys/request_key.c
+++ b/security/keys/request_key.c
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@
 
 	/* create a key and add it to the queue */
 	key = key_alloc(type, description,
-			current->fsuid, current->fsgid, KEY_USR_ALL, 0);
+			current->fsuid, current->fsgid, KEY_POS_ALL, 0);
 	if (IS_ERR(key))
 		goto alloc_failed;
 
@@ -365,14 +365,24 @@
 {
 	struct key_user *user;
 	struct key *key;
+	key_ref_t key_ref;
 
 	kenter("%s,%s,%s,%p",
 	       type->name, description, callout_info, dest_keyring);
 
 	/* search all the process keyrings for a key */
-	key = search_process_keyrings(type, description, type->match, current);
+	key_ref = search_process_keyrings(type, description, type->match,
+					  current);
 
-	if (PTR_ERR(key) == -EAGAIN) {
+	kdebug("search 1: %p", key_ref);
+
+	if (!IS_ERR(key_ref)) {
+		key = key_ref_to_ptr(key_ref);
+	}
+	else if (PTR_ERR(key_ref) != -EAGAIN) {
+		key = ERR_PTR(PTR_ERR(key_ref));
+	}
+	else  {
 		/* the search failed, but the keyrings were searchable, so we
 		 * should consult userspace if we can */
 		key = ERR_PTR(-ENOKEY);
@@ -384,7 +394,7 @@
 		if (!user)
 			goto nomem;
 
-		do {
+		for (;;) {
 			if (signal_pending(current))
 				goto interrupted;
 
@@ -397,10 +407,22 @@
 
 			/* someone else made the key we want, so we need to
 			 * search again as it might now be available to us */
-			key = search_process_keyrings(type, description,
-						      type->match, current);
+			key_ref = search_process_keyrings(type, description,
+							  type->match,
+							  current);
 
-		} while (PTR_ERR(key) == -EAGAIN);
+			kdebug("search 2: %p", key_ref);
+
+			if (!IS_ERR(key_ref)) {
+				key = key_ref_to_ptr(key_ref);
+				break;
+			}
+
+			if (PTR_ERR(key_ref) != -EAGAIN) {
+				key = ERR_PTR(PTR_ERR(key_ref));
+				break;
+			}
+		}
 
 		key_user_put(user);
 
diff --git a/security/keys/request_key_auth.c b/security/keys/request_key_auth.c
index f222646..1ecd3d3 100644
--- a/security/keys/request_key_auth.c
+++ b/security/keys/request_key_auth.c
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@
 
 	rkakey = key_alloc(&key_type_request_key_auth, desc,
 			   current->fsuid, current->fsgid,
-			   KEY_USR_VIEW, 1);
+			   KEY_POS_VIEW | KEY_USR_VIEW, 1);
 	if (IS_ERR(rkakey)) {
 		key_put(keyring);
 		kleave("= %ld", PTR_ERR(rkakey));