Re: Regression: Commit "netfilter: nf_tables: disallow rule addition to bound chain via NFTA_RULE_CHAIN_ID" breaks ruleset loading in linux-stable

[Linux regression tracking (Thorsten Leemhuis)]

On 12.09.23 12:27, Florian Westphal wrote:
> Linux regression tracking (Thorsten Leemhuis) <regressions@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>> On 12.09.23 00:57, Pablo Neira Ayuso wrote:
>>> Userspace nftables v1.0.6 generates incorrect bytecode that hits a new
>>> kernel check that rejects adding rules to bound chains. The incorrect
>>> bytecode adds the chain binding, attach it to the rule and it adds the
>>> rules to the chain binding. I have cherry-picked these three patches
>>> for nftables v1.0.6 userspace and your ruleset restores fine.
>>> [...]
>>
>> Hmmmm. Well, this sounds like a kernel regression to me that normally
>> should be dealt with on the kernel level, as users after updating the
>> kernel should never have to update any userspace stuff to continue what
>> they have been doing before the kernel update.
> 
> This is a combo of a userspace bug and this new sanity check that
> rejects the incorrect ordering (adding rules to the already-bound
> anonymous chain).
> 
> nf_tables uses a transaction allor-nothing model, this means that any
> error that occurs during a transaction has to be reverse/undo all the
> pending changes.  This has caused a myriad of bugs already.
> 
> So while this can be theoretically fixed in the kernel I don't see
> a sane way to do it.  Error unwinding / recovery from deeply nested
> errors is already too complex for my taste.
> 
>> Can't the kernel somehow detect the incorrect bytecode and do the right
>> thing(tm) somehow?
> 
> Theoretically yes, but I don't feel competent enough to do it, just look
> at all the UaF bugs of the past month.

Thx for the answer. FWIW, as this was a judgement call I mentioned this
in my last regression report to Linus; he didn't reply, so I guess it is
-- and will remove this issue from my tracking:

#regzbot resolve: can be solved by a nftables userspace update; not
nice, but likely best solution in this case
#regzbot ignore-activity

Ciao, Thorsten (wearing his 'the Linux kernel's regression tracker' hat)
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