[PATCH 0/3] BPF signature verification

Blaise Boscaccy bboscaccy at linux.microsoft.com
Wed May 28 21:49:02 UTC 2025


As suggested or mandated by KP Singh
https://lore.kernel.org/linux-security-module/CACYkzJ6VQUExfyt0=-FmXz46GHJh3d=FXh5j4KfexcEFbHV-vg@mail.gmail.com/,
this patchset proposes and implements an alternative hash-chain
algorithm for signature verification of BPF programs.

This design diverges in two key ways:

1. Signature Strategy

Two different signature strategies are
implemented. One verifies only the signature of the loader program in
the kernel, as described in the link above. The other verifies the
program’s maps in-kernel via a hash chain.  The original design
required loader programs to be “self-aborting” and embedded the
terminal hash verification logic as metaprogramming code generation
routines inside libbpf. While this patchset supports that scheme, it
is considered undesirable in certain environments due to the potential
for supply-chain attack vectors and the lack of visibility for the LSM
subsystem.  Additionally, it is impossible to verify the code
performing the signature verification, as it is uniquely regenerated
for every program.

2. Timing of Signature Check

This patchset moves the signature check to a point before
security_bpf_prog_load is invoked, due to an unresolved discussion
here:
https://lore.kernel.org/linux-security-module/CAHC9VhTj3=ZXgrYMNA+G64zsOyZO+78uDs1g=kh91=GR5KypYg@mail.gmail.com/
This change allows the LSM subsystem to be informed of the signature
verification result—if it occurred—and the method used, all without
introducing a new hook. It improves visibility and auditability,
reducing the “trust me, friend” aspect of the original design.


Blaise Boscaccy (3):
  bpf: Add bpf_check_signature
  bpf: Support light-skeleton signatures in autogenerated code
  bpftool: Allow signing of light-skeleton programs

 include/linux/bpf.h            |   2 +
 include/linux/verification.h   |   1 +
 include/uapi/linux/bpf.h       |   4 +
 kernel/bpf/arraymap.c          |  11 +-
 kernel/bpf/syscall.c           | 123 +++++++++++++++++++-
 tools/bpf/bpftool/Makefile     |   4 +-
 tools/bpf/bpftool/common.c     | 204 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 tools/bpf/bpftool/gen.c        |  66 ++++++++++-
 tools/bpf/bpftool/main.c       |  24 +++-
 tools/bpf/bpftool/main.h       |  23 ++++
 tools/include/uapi/linux/bpf.h |   4 +
 tools/lib/bpf/libbpf.h         |   4 +
 tools/lib/bpf/skel_internal.h  |  28 ++++-
 13 files changed, 491 insertions(+), 7 deletions(-)

-- 
2.48.1




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