Re: The Demise of Simple Assurance?

From: jmjonesat_private
Date: Tue Jul 31 2001 - 13:37:36 PDT

  • Next message: Crispin Cowan: "Re: The Demise of Simple Assurance?"

    On Tue, 31 Jul 2001 Valdis.Kletnieksat_private wrote:
    > On Tue, 31 Jul 2001 15:43:25 EDT, jmjonesat_private said:
    > 
    > > It is conceivable that a module COULD change fields in this structure 
    > > that would later circumvent in-kernel security checks, interfering with
    > > the in-kernel checks and, likewise, with the "simple assurance argument".
    > 
    > > Some Solutions:
    > > 
    > > Allow authoritative hooks, which are applicable if the "simple assurance" 
    > > argument drops below radar, imho. (In essence, abandon the "simple
    > > assurance argument" completely.)
    > 
    > Umm.. if a module could screw with the structure, it can screw with the
    > authoritative hooks.
    
    Agreed.  This solution was only posed as an option that would "disregard"
    the "simple-assurance" argument, while recognizing the arguments that have
    come before.
    
    Quite logically, ANY compromise of the module COULD compromise the kernel. 
    The real issue here is "simple-assurance" and And ANd AND how it's been
    used in arguments before now.  I submit that the interface developed
    doesn't enjoy any such property.  I ask... do we want to rework it to
    recover that property, or not? 
    
    And, if NOT, do we want to reconsider the arguments that have been
    "dismissed" before based on that concept.
    
    > 				Valdis Kletnieks
    > 				Operating Systems Analyst
    > 				Virginia Tech
    > 
    
    J. Melvin Jones
    
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