[BUG] ntfs: possible data races in ntfs_clear_extent_inode()

From: Tuo Li
Date: Tue Jun 13 2023 - 00:35:31 EST


Hello,

Our static analysis tool finds some possible data races in the NTFS file
system in Linux 6.4.0-rc6.

In most calling contexts, the variable ni->ext.base_ntfs_ino is accessed
with holding the lock ni->extent_lock. Here is an example:

  ntfs_extent_mft_record_free() --> Line 2773 in fs/ntfs/mtf.c
    mutex_lock(&ni->extent_lock); --> Line 2786 in fs/ntfs/mtf.c (Lock ni->extent_lock)
    base_ni = ni->ext.base_ntfs_ino; --> Line 2787 in fs/ntfs/mft.c (Access ni->ext.base_ntfs_ino)

However, in the following calling contexts:

  ntfs_evict_big_inode() --> Line 2247 in fs/ntfs/inode.c
     ntfs_clear_extent_inode() --> Line 2274 in fs/ntfs/inode.c
        if (!is_bad_inode(VFS_I(ni->ext.base_ntfs_ino))) --> Line 2224 in fs/ntfs/inode.c (Access ni->ext.base_ntfs_ino)

  ntfs_evict_big_inode() --> Line 2247 in fs/ntfs/inode.c
    ni->ext.base_ntfs_ino = NULL; --> Line 2285 in fs/ntfs/inode.c (Access ni->ext.base_ntfs_ino)

the variable ni->ext.base_ntfs_ino is accessed without holding the lock
ni->extent_lock, and thus data races can occur.

I am not quite sure whether these possible data races are real and how to fix them if they are real.
Any feedback would be appreciated, thanks!

Reported-by: BassCheck <bass@xxxxxxxxxxx>

Best wishes,
Tuo Li