FIPS-mode panic? (was Re: [PULL] modules)

Linus Torvalds [off-list ref] wrote:

Hmm. So this thing makes me wonder:

        /* Not having a signature is only an error if we're strict. */
        if (err < 0 && fips_enabled)
                panic("Module verification failed with error %d in FIPS mode\n",
                      err);

do we really want to panic (even in fips_enabled mode)?

That's what the FIPS people want.  As I understand it, if there's some
indication that the crypto stuff is compromised, the box should be shut down
immediately.

I've added Stephan Mueller to see if he can illuminate further.

David