Security Models for the Kernel – Harsh Words from Torvalds

Oct 04, 2007

A debate on various security models for the Linux kernel has developed on the Linux Kernel Mailing List.

The bone of contention was a suggestion by Andrew Morton to introduce the "Simplified Mandatory Access Control Kernel" (Smack) in kernel 2.6.24. Developer James Morris responded that the decision to introduce Smack had to be seen in the wider context of the kernel's security architecture. He did not criticize Smack itself, but the loadable module LSM, on which Smack is based; however, LSM is only used by SELinux, who also programmed Smack. LSM would have been removed long ago, part from this fact.

Linus Torvalds entered the discussion at this point, responding saying that LSM was staying "You security people are insane. I'm tired of this "only my version is correct" crap. The whole and only point of LSM was to get away from that." Torvalds continues: "I guess I have to merge AppArmor and SMACK just to get this *disease* off the table." Responding to this verbal attack, developer Stephen Smalley objects that Torvalds is normally against loadable schedulers, asking: "Why is security different??"

Torvalds' response is unequivocal: "Schedulers can be objectively tested. There's this thing called "performance" that can generally be quantified on a load basis." He continues, "Yes, you can have crazy ideas in both schedulers and security. Yes, you can simplify both for a particular load. Yes, you can make mistakes in both. But the *discussion* on security seems to never get down to real numbers. So the difference between them is simple: one is "hard science". The other one is "people w****g [expletive deleted] around with their opinions."

Related content

  • Torvalds Releases Kernel 2.6.25: GPL Only Restriction Imposed

    Linus Torvalds has released the new 2.6.25 kernel just slightly behind schedule. Besides improvements to the CFS scheduler and a plethora of new drivers, the kernel also introduces a political aspect: it debars non-GPLd USB drivers.

    more »
  • Linus Torvalds: No Kernel 3.0

    Linux inventor Linus Torvalds says there's no need for Kernel 3.0.

    more »
  • Linux-Kongress: Corbet Presents New Kernel 2.6.27

    In the second keynote of the Linux-Kongress in Hamburg, Germany, cofounder of LWN.net and kernel developer Jonathan Corbet presented details on yesterday's released Kernel 2.6.27, but also described some of the work Linus Torvalds and his group of hackers have been up to.

    more »
  • Linus Torvalds on the Near Future of the Linux Kernel

    Talking in an interview with InformationWeek Linus Torvalds revealed what features and functions we can look forward to from the Linux kernel in the near future, what direction development will take, and what his views are on the continual accusations by Microsoft.

    more »
  • Kernel News

    Chronicler Zack Brown reports on the latest news, views, dilemmas, and developments within the Linux kernel community.

    more »
comments powered by Disqus

Issue 272/2023

Buy this issue as a PDF

Digital Issue: Price $12.99
(incl. VAT)

Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters

Support Our Work

Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you've found an article to be beneficial.

News

Tag Cloud

Administration Community Desktop Events Hardware Linux Linux Pro Magazine Mobile Programming Software Ubuntu Web Development Windows free software open source