Re: [PATCH] Restrict unprivileged access to kernel syslog

From: Pavel Machek
Date: Wed Nov 17 2010 - 05:03:46 EST


On Tue 2010-11-09 12:06:49, Alan Cox wrote:
> On Mon, 08 Nov 2010 22:28:58 -0500
> Dan Rosenberg <drosenberg@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> > The kernel syslog contains debugging information that is often useful
> > during exploitation of other vulnerabilities, such as kernel heap
> > addresses. Rather than futilely attempt to sanitize hundreds (or
> > thousands) of printk statements and simultaneously cripple useful
> > debugging functionality, it is far simpler to create an option that
> > prevents unprivileged users from reading the syslog.
>
> Except for anything that appears on the screen - which is remotely
> readable via the screen access APIs. Looks sane to me (pointless but
> sane) and the checks match the ones needed to redirect the console so you
> need CAP_SYS_ADMIN either way.

/dev/vcsa is only protected by filesystem permissions IIRC.

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