[PATCH v2 08/13] bpf: Implement signature verification for BPF programs

Blaise Boscaccy bboscaccy at linux.microsoft.com
Tue Aug 5 18:28:20 UTC 2025


KP Singh <kpsingh at kernel.org> writes:

> This patch extends the BPF_PROG_LOAD command by adding three new fields
> to `union bpf_attr` in the user-space API:
>
>   - signature: A pointer to the signature blob.
>   - signature_size: The size of the signature blob.
>   - keyring_id: The serial number of a loaded kernel keyring (e.g.,
>     the user or session keyring) containing the trusted public keys.
>
> When a BPF program is loaded with a signature, the kernel:
>
> 1.  Retrieves the trusted keyring using the provided `keyring_id`.
> 2.  Verifies the supplied signature against the BPF program's
>     instruction buffer.
> 3.  If the signature is valid and was generated by a key in the trusted
>     keyring, the program load proceeds.
> 4.  If no signature is provided, the load proceeds as before, allowing
>     for backward compatibility. LSMs can chose to restrict unsigned
>     programs and implement a security policy.
> 5.  If signature verification fails for any reason,
>     the program is not loaded.
[...]

The following is what we propose to build on top of this to implement
in-kernel hash chain verification. This allows for signature
verification of arbitrary maps and isn't coupled to light-skeletons or
any specific implementation.


From: Blaise Boscaccy <bboscaccy at linux.microsoft.com>
Date: Mon, 28 Jul 2025 08:14:57 -0700
Subject: bpf: Add hash chain signature support for arbitrary maps

This patch introduces hash chain support for signature verification of
arbitrary bpf map objects which was described here:
https://lore.kernel.org/linux-security-module/20250721211958.1881379-1-kpsingh@kernel.org/

The UAPI is extended to allow for in-kernel checking of maps passed in
via the fd_array. A hash chain is constructed from the maps, in order
specified by the signature_maps field. The hash chain is terminated
with the hash of the program itself.

Signed-off-by: Blaise Boscaccy <bboscaccy at linux.microsoft.com>
---
 include/uapi/linux/bpf.h       |  6 +++
 kernel/bpf/syscall.c           | 75 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++--
 tools/include/uapi/linux/bpf.h |  6 +++
 3 files changed, 83 insertions(+), 4 deletions(-)

diff --git a/include/uapi/linux/bpf.h b/include/uapi/linux/bpf.h
index b42c3740e053e..c83f2a34674fd 100644
--- a/include/uapi/linux/bpf.h
+++ b/include/uapi/linux/bpf.h
@@ -1617,6 +1617,12 @@ union bpf_attr {
 		 * verification.
 		 */
 		__u32 		keyring_id;
+		/* Pointer to a buffer containing the maps used in the signature
+		 * hash chain of the BPF program.
+		 */
+		__aligned_u64   signature_maps;
+		/* Size of the signature maps buffer. */
+		__u32		signature_maps_size;
 	};
 
 	struct { /* anonymous struct used by BPF_OBJ_* commands */
diff --git a/kernel/bpf/syscall.c b/kernel/bpf/syscall.c
index 10fd3ea5d91fd..f7e9bcabd9dcc 100644
--- a/kernel/bpf/syscall.c
+++ b/kernel/bpf/syscall.c
@@ -2780,15 +2780,36 @@ static bool is_perfmon_prog_type(enum bpf_prog_type prog_type)
 	}
 }
 
+static inline int bpf_map_get_hash(int map_fd, void *buffer)
+{
+	struct bpf_map *map;
+
+	CLASS(fd, f)(map_fd);
+	map = __bpf_map_get(f);
+	if (IS_ERR(map))
+		return PTR_ERR(map);
+
+	if (!map->ops->map_get_hash)
+		return -EINVAL;
+
+	return map->ops->map_get_hash(map, SHA256_DIGEST_SIZE, buffer);
+}
+
 static noinline int bpf_prog_verify_signature(struct bpf_prog *prog,
 					      union bpf_attr *attr,
 					      bool is_kernel)
 {
 	bpfptr_t usig = make_bpfptr(attr->signature, is_kernel);
-	struct bpf_dynptr_kern sig_ptr, insns_ptr;
+	bpfptr_t umaps;
+	struct bpf_dynptr_kern sig_ptr, insns_ptr, hash_ptr;
 	struct bpf_key *key = NULL;
 	void *sig;
+	int *maps;
+	int map_fd;
 	int err = 0;
+	u64 buffer[8];
+	u64 hash[4];
+	int n;
 
 	if (system_keyring_id_check(attr->keyring_id) == 0)
 		key = bpf_lookup_system_key(attr->keyring_id);
@@ -2808,16 +2829,62 @@ static noinline int bpf_prog_verify_signature(struct bpf_prog *prog,
 	bpf_dynptr_init(&insns_ptr, prog->insnsi, BPF_DYNPTR_TYPE_LOCAL, 0,
 			prog->len * sizeof(struct bpf_insn));
 
-	err = bpf_verify_pkcs7_signature((struct bpf_dynptr *)&insns_ptr,
-					 (struct bpf_dynptr *)&sig_ptr, key);
+	if (!attr->signature_maps_size) {
+		err = bpf_verify_pkcs7_signature((struct bpf_dynptr *)&insns_ptr,
+						 (struct bpf_dynptr *)&sig_ptr, key);
+	} else {
+		bpf_dynptr_init(&hash_ptr, hash, BPF_DYNPTR_TYPE_LOCAL, 0,
+				sizeof(hash));
+		umaps = make_bpfptr(attr->signature_maps, is_kernel);
+		maps = kvmemdup_bpfptr(umaps, attr->signature_maps_size * sizeof(*maps));
+		if (!maps) {
+			err = -ENOMEM;
+			goto out;
+		}
+		n = attr->signature_maps_size - 1;
+		err = copy_from_bpfptr_offset(&map_fd, make_bpfptr(attr->fd_array, is_kernel),
+					      maps[n] * sizeof(map_fd),
+					      sizeof(map_fd));
+		if (err < 0)
+			goto free_maps;
+
+		err = bpf_map_get_hash(map_fd, hash);
+		if (err != 0)
+			goto free_maps;
+
+		n--;
+		while (n >= 0) {
+			memcpy(buffer, hash, sizeof(hash));
+			err = copy_from_bpfptr_offset(&map_fd,
+						      make_bpfptr(attr->fd_array, is_kernel),
+						      maps[n] * sizeof(map_fd),
+						      sizeof(map_fd));
+			if (err < 0)
+				goto free_maps;
+
+			err = bpf_map_get_hash(map_fd, buffer+4);
+			if (err != 0)
+				goto free_maps;
+			sha256((u8 *)buffer, sizeof(buffer), (u8 *)&hash);
+			n--;
+		}
+		sha256((u8 *)prog->insnsi, prog->len * sizeof(struct bpf_insn), (u8 *)&buffer);
+		memcpy(buffer+4, hash, sizeof(hash));
+		sha256((u8 *)buffer, sizeof(buffer), (u8 *)&hash);
+		err = bpf_verify_pkcs7_signature((struct bpf_dynptr *)&hash_ptr,
+						 (struct bpf_dynptr *)&sig_ptr, key);
 
+free_maps:
+		kvfree(maps);
+	}
+out:
 	bpf_key_put(key);
 	kvfree(sig);
 	return err;
 }
 
 /* last field in 'union bpf_attr' used by this command */
-#define BPF_PROG_LOAD_LAST_FIELD keyring_id
+#define BPF_PROG_LOAD_LAST_FIELD signature_maps_size
 
 static int bpf_prog_load(union bpf_attr *attr, bpfptr_t uattr, u32 uattr_size)
 {
diff --git a/tools/include/uapi/linux/bpf.h b/tools/include/uapi/linux/bpf.h
index b42c3740e053e..c83f2a34674fd 100644
--- a/tools/include/uapi/linux/bpf.h
+++ b/tools/include/uapi/linux/bpf.h
@@ -1617,6 +1617,12 @@ union bpf_attr {
 		 * verification.
 		 */
 		__u32 		keyring_id;
+		/* Pointer to a buffer containing the maps used in the signature
+		 * hash chain of the BPF program.
+		 */
+		__aligned_u64   signature_maps;
+		/* Size of the signature maps buffer. */
+		__u32		signature_maps_size;
 	};
 
 	struct { /* anonymous struct used by BPF_OBJ_* commands */
-- 
2.48.1


And here is a reference usage implementation:

From: Blaise Boscaccy <bboscaccy at linux.microsoft.com>
Date: Mon, 28 Jul 2025 21:30:56 -0700
Subject: libbpf: Add hash chain signing support to light  skeletons.

This patch introduces a hash chain signing support for light-skeleton
assets. A new flag '-M' is added which constructs a hash chain with
the loader program and the target payload.

Signed-off-by: Blaise Boscaccy <bboscaccy at linux.microsoft.com>
---
 tools/bpf/bpftool/gen.c       | 25 +++++++++++++++++++++++++
 tools/bpf/bpftool/main.c      |  8 +++++++-
 tools/bpf/bpftool/main.h      |  1 +
 tools/bpf/bpftool/sign.c      | 17 ++++++++++++++---
 tools/lib/bpf/libbpf.h        |  3 ++-
 tools/lib/bpf/skel_internal.h |  6 +++++-
 6 files changed, 54 insertions(+), 6 deletions(-)

diff --git a/tools/bpf/bpftool/gen.c b/tools/bpf/bpftool/gen.c
index ab6fc86598ad3..e660fbc701c5d 100644
--- a/tools/bpf/bpftool/gen.c
+++ b/tools/bpf/bpftool/gen.c
@@ -699,6 +699,9 @@ static int gen_trace(struct bpf_object *obj, const char *obj_name, const char *h
 	if (sign_progs)
 		opts.gen_hash = true;
 
+	if (sign_maps)
+		opts.sign_maps = true;
+
 	err = bpf_object__gen_loader(obj, &opts);
 	if (err)
 		return err;
@@ -793,6 +796,8 @@ static int gen_trace(struct bpf_object *obj, const char *obj_name, const char *h
 	if (sign_progs) {
 		sopts.insns = opts.insns;
 		sopts.insns_sz = opts.insns_sz;
+		sopts.data = opts.data;
+		sopts.data_sz = opts.data_sz;
 		sopts.excl_prog_hash = prog_sha;
 		sopts.excl_prog_hash_sz = sizeof(prog_sha);
 		sopts.signature = sig_buf;
@@ -821,6 +826,13 @@ static int gen_trace(struct bpf_object *obj, const char *obj_name, const char *h
 		\n\
 		\";\n");
 
+		if (sign_maps) {
+			codegen("\
+			\n\
+				static const int opts_signature_maps[1] __attribute__((__aligned__(8))) = {0}; \n\
+			");
+		}
+
 		codegen("\
 		\n\
 			opts.signature = (void *)opts_sig;			\n\
@@ -829,6 +841,19 @@ static int gen_trace(struct bpf_object *obj, const char *obj_name, const char *h
 			opts.excl_prog_hash_sz = sizeof(opts_excl_hash) - 1;	\n\
 			opts.keyring_id = KEY_SPEC_SESSION_KEYRING;		\n\
 		");
+		if (sign_maps) {
+			codegen("\
+			\n\
+				opts.signature_maps = (void *)opts_signature_maps;	\n\
+				opts.signature_maps_sz = 1; 				\n\
+			");
+		} else {
+			codegen("\
+			\n\
+				opts.signature_maps = (void *)NULL;		\n\
+				opts.signature_maps_sz = 0;			\n\
+			");
+		}
 	}
 
 	codegen("\
diff --git a/tools/bpf/bpftool/main.c b/tools/bpf/bpftool/main.c
index fc25bb390ec71..287e8205494cb 100644
--- a/tools/bpf/bpftool/main.c
+++ b/tools/bpf/bpftool/main.c
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ bool use_loader;
 struct btf *base_btf;
 struct hashmap *refs_table;
 bool sign_progs;
+bool sign_maps;
 const char *private_key_path;
 const char *cert_path;
 
@@ -477,7 +478,7 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
 	bin_name = "bpftool";
 
 	opterr = 0;
-	while ((opt = getopt_long(argc, argv, "VhpjfLmndSi:k:B:l",
+	while ((opt = getopt_long(argc, argv, "VhpjfLmndSMi:k:B:l",
 				  options, NULL)) >= 0) {
 		switch (opt) {
 		case 'V':
@@ -527,6 +528,11 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
 			sign_progs = true;
 			use_loader = true;
 			break;
+		case 'M':
+			sign_maps = true;
+			sign_progs = true;
+			use_loader = true;
+			break;
 		case 'k':
 			private_key_path = optarg;
 			break;
diff --git a/tools/bpf/bpftool/main.h b/tools/bpf/bpftool/main.h
index f921af3cda87f..805c3d87a1330 100644
--- a/tools/bpf/bpftool/main.h
+++ b/tools/bpf/bpftool/main.h
@@ -92,6 +92,7 @@ extern bool use_loader;
 extern struct btf *base_btf;
 extern struct hashmap *refs_table;
 extern bool sign_progs;
+extern bool sign_maps;
 extern const char *private_key_path;
 extern const char *cert_path;
 
diff --git a/tools/bpf/bpftool/sign.c b/tools/bpf/bpftool/sign.c
index f0b5dd10a46b2..d5514b7d2b82d 100644
--- a/tools/bpf/bpftool/sign.c
+++ b/tools/bpf/bpftool/sign.c
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@
 #include <errno.h>
 
 #include <bpf/skel_internal.h>
+#include <bpf/libbpf_internal.h>
 
 #include "main.h"
 
@@ -129,8 +130,18 @@ int bpftool_prog_sign(struct bpf_load_and_run_opts *opts)
 	long actual_sig_len = 0;
 	X509 *x509 = NULL;
 	int err = 0;
-
-	bd_in = BIO_new_mem_buf(opts->insns, opts->insns_sz);
+	unsigned char hash[SHA256_DIGEST_LENGTH  * 2];
+	unsigned char term[SHA256_DIGEST_LENGTH];
+
+	if (sign_maps) {
+		libbpf_sha256(opts->insns, opts->insns_sz, hash, SHA256_DIGEST_LENGTH);
+		libbpf_sha256(opts->data, opts->data_sz, hash + SHA256_DIGEST_LENGTH,
+			      SHA256_DIGEST_LENGTH);
+		libbpf_sha256(hash, sizeof(hash), term, sizeof(term));
+		bd_in = BIO_new_mem_buf(term, sizeof(term));
+	} else {
+		bd_in = BIO_new_mem_buf(opts->insns, opts->insns_sz);
+	}
 	if (!bd_in) {
 		err = -ENOMEM;
 		goto cleanup;
@@ -171,7 +182,7 @@ int bpftool_prog_sign(struct bpf_load_and_run_opts *opts)
 	EVP_Digest(opts->insns, opts->insns_sz, opts->excl_prog_hash,
 		   &opts->excl_prog_hash_sz, EVP_sha256(), NULL);
 
-		bd_out = BIO_new(BIO_s_mem());
+	bd_out = BIO_new(BIO_s_mem());
 	if (!bd_out) {
 		err = -ENOMEM;
 		goto cleanup;
diff --git a/tools/lib/bpf/libbpf.h b/tools/lib/bpf/libbpf.h
index 7cad8470d9ebe..aad0288cd05e3 100644
--- a/tools/lib/bpf/libbpf.h
+++ b/tools/lib/bpf/libbpf.h
@@ -1827,9 +1827,10 @@ struct gen_loader_opts {
 	__u32 data_sz;
 	__u32 insns_sz;
 	bool gen_hash;
+	bool sign_maps;
 };
 
-#define gen_loader_opts__last_field gen_hash
+#define gen_loader_opts__last_field sign_maps
 LIBBPF_API int bpf_object__gen_loader(struct bpf_object *obj,
 				      struct gen_loader_opts *opts);
 
diff --git a/tools/lib/bpf/skel_internal.h b/tools/lib/bpf/skel_internal.h
index 5b6d1b09dc8a6..c25a4f1308e44 100644
--- a/tools/lib/bpf/skel_internal.h
+++ b/tools/lib/bpf/skel_internal.h
@@ -74,6 +74,8 @@ struct bpf_load_and_run_opts {
 	__u32 keyring_id;
 	void * excl_prog_hash;
 	__u32 excl_prog_hash_sz;
+	const int *signature_maps;
+	__u32 signature_maps_sz;
 };
 
 long kern_sys_bpf(__u32 cmd, void *attr, __u32 attr_size);
@@ -351,7 +353,7 @@ static inline int skel_map_freeze(int fd)
 
 static inline int bpf_load_and_run(struct bpf_load_and_run_opts *opts)
 {
-	const size_t prog_load_attr_sz = offsetofend(union bpf_attr, keyring_id);
+	const size_t prog_load_attr_sz = offsetofend(union bpf_attr, signature_maps_size);
 	const size_t test_run_attr_sz = offsetofend(union bpf_attr, test);
 	int map_fd = -1, prog_fd = -1, key = 0, err;
 	union bpf_attr attr;
@@ -394,6 +396,8 @@ static inline int bpf_load_and_run(struct bpf_load_and_run_opts *opts)
 #ifndef __KERNEL__
 	attr.signature = (long) opts->signature;
 	attr.signature_size = opts->signature_sz;
+	attr.signature_maps = (long) opts->signature_maps;
+	attr.signature_maps_size = opts->signature_maps_sz;
 #else
 	if (opts->signature || opts->signature_sz)
 		pr_warn("signatures are not supported from bpf_preload\n");
-- 
2.48.1

-blaise



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