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Updated okernel README.md

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Signed-off-by: Theo Koulouris <theo.koulouris@hpe.com>
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@ -1,19 +1,25 @@
Authors: Chris Dalton <cid@hpi.com>, Nigel Edwards <nigel.edwards@hpe.com>
Authors: Chris Dalton <cid@hpi.com>, Nigel Edwards <nigel.edwards@hpe.com>,
Theo Koulouris <theo.koulouris@hpe.com>
# Split Kernel
Similar to the nested-kernel work for BSD by Dautenhan[1], the aim of
the split kernel is to introduce a level of intra-kernel protection
into the kernel so that, amongst other things, we can offer lifetime
guarantees over kernel code and data integrity. Unlike the BSD-based
nested kernel work we are focused on the Linux kernel not BSD and do
make use of HW virtualization features such as Extended Page Tables
Project links:
- okernel sources on GitHub: https://github.com/linux-okernel/linux-okernel
- Userspace components and supporting material:
https://github.com/linux-okernel/linux-okernel-components
Similar to the nested-kernel work for BSD by Dautenhan et al[1], the aim
of the split kernel (okernel) is to introduce a level of intra-kernel
protection into the kernel so that, amongst other things, we can offer
lifetime guarantees over kernel code and data integrity. Unlike the BSD-
based nested kernel work, we are focused on the Linux kernel (not BSD) and
do make use of HW virtualization features such as Extended Page Tables
(EPT) or equivalent to provide protection from malicious kernel
changes. (Our initial prototype is based on Intel x86, but the
intention is to be architecture neutral so we can apply it to other
architectures, including AMD and ARM.)
The split-kernel provides a (protected) virtualized view of the kernel
The split kernel provides a (protected) virtualized view of the kernel
for processes entering the kernel through exceptions, syscalls and
interrupts. Though we make use of hardware features designed to
support virtualization, we do not virtualize at the full virtual
@ -62,25 +68,52 @@ to the NR-mode context.
If a process in NR-mode attempts to change the kernel memory in
conflict with permissions in the lower-level page tables, a VMEXIT (in
the current prototype which uses Intel VMX) is triggered. R-mode is
then entered where will handle the permission violation.
then entered where the permission violation can be handled.
# Integration with LinuxKit
Custom Linux distributions utilizing the split kernel can be readily built
using LinuxKit by simply specifying an okernel Docker image in the `kernel`
section of the OS image YAML specification. See the sample YAML files provided
in [examples](https://github.com/linuxkit/linuxkit/tree/master/projects/okernel/examples).
## Building the split kernel image for LinuxKit
- `make` will build and package the latest version of the split kernel, by
pulling sources from the top-of-tree of the okernel project GitHub
(https://github.com/linux-okernel/linux-okernel).
- Additionally, a specific version of the kernel can be built
by setting the 'KERNEL' environment variable to the appropriate
value, e.g.: `make KERNEL=ok-4.11-rc2`. The value MUST correspond
to a legitimate okernel tag present in the project GitHub
(https://github.com/linux-okernel/linux-okernel/tags) beginning
with __"ok-"__.
`make KERNEL=latest` will build the top-of-tree release, equivalent to `make`.
`make kvmod` or `make KERNEL=NNNNNNNN kvmod` where "NNNNNNNN" is the release
string corresponding to a kernel version, will build the kernel
vulnerability emulation kernel module for that kernel, useful for testing.
# Limitations and Caveats
The current implementation does not have any protection of the kernel
in place yet. It is a demonstration that you can create processes run
them in NR-mode using EPTs with a shared kernel. As a further
demonstrations of the concept, it implements protected memory pages,
in place yet. It is a demonstration that you can create processes and
run them in NR-mode using EPTs with a shared kernel. As a further
demonstration of the concept, it implements protected memory pages,
whereby a process may request a protected memory page which will not
be mapped into the EPTs for other processes.
## Roadmap
The next step, and the subject of our ongoing research is to design
the memory protection architecture for the kernel. Examples of the
things that we are considering protecting from root mode processes
are:
- Protection of the page tables (no NR mode process can modify an
- Protection of the page tables (no NR mode process can modify a
page table)
- Protection of kernel executable code RX only
- Protection of kernel data structures RO
- Protection of kernel executable code (RX only)
- Protection of kernel data structures (RO)
# References
@ -92,5 +125,4 @@ Programming Languages and Operating Systems, March 2015.
- [2] Dune: Safe user-level access to privileged CPU features, Adam
Belay, Andrea Bittau, Ali Mashtizadeh, David Terei, David Mazières,
and Christos Kozyrakis, OSDI '12, Proceedings of the 10th USENIX
Symposium on Operating Systems Design and Implementation, October
2012.
Symposium on Operating Systems Design and Implementation, October 2012.