[PATCH] keys: allocate key serial numbers randomly
Cause key_alloc_serial() to generate key serial numbers randomly rather than
in linear sequence.
Using an linear sequence permits a covert communication channel to be
established, in which one process can communicate with another by creating or
not creating new keys within a certain timeframe. The second process can
probe for the expected next key serial number and judge its existence by the
error returned.
This is a problem as the serial number namespace is globally shared between
all tasks, regardless of their context.
For more information on this topic, this old TCSEC guide is recommended:
http://www.radium.ncsc.mil/tpep/library/rainbow/NCSC-TG-030.html
Signed-off-by: Michael LeMay <mdlemay@epoch.ncsc.mil>
Signed-off-by: James Morris <jmorris@namei.org>
Signed-off-by: David Howells <dhowells@redhat.com>
Signed-off-by: Andrew Morton <akpm@osdl.org>
Signed-off-by: Linus Torvalds <torvalds@osdl.org>
1 file changed