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Queued in linux-next as 1903cc222cda on 2026-09-17.

[PATCH v2 04/40] mm: consistently validate VMA state after mmap[_prepare] hooks

From: "Lorenzo Stoakes (ARM)" <ljs@kernel.org>
Date: 2026-09-14 15:01:19
Also in: bpf, dri-devel, fuse-devel, kvm, kvm-riscv, kvmarm, linux-arch, linux-doc, linux-fbdev, linux-fsdevel, linux-mm, linux-perf-users, linux-rdma, linux-riscv, linux-s390, linux-scsi, linux-sound, linux-trace-kernel, linux-usb, lkml, selinux, sparclinux
Subsystem: memory management, memory management - core, memory mapping, the rest · Maintainers: Andrew Morton, David Hildenbrand, Liam R. Howlett, Lorenzo Stoakes, Linus Torvalds

When the f_op->mmap_prepare or deprecated f_op->mmap hooks are invoked, the
driver might have done something crazy that is not permitted by the kernel.

Currently we check for three such cases in __mmap_new_file_vma(), but only
if the legacy f_op->mmap hook is used:

* Did sparc ADI result in invalid flags?

* Did the driver alter vma->vm_start?

* Did the driver make a file-backed mapping on a read-only file writable?

Generalise these checks for both mmap_prepare and mmap and apply to all
invocations of mmap_file(), the f_op->mmap and f_op->mmap_prepare handling
in the core VMA code and the mmap_prepare compatibility layer.

We also WARN_ON_ONCE() on these conditions as they are things that should
simply not occur in the kernel and it's important to call it out when it
does.

We invoke mmap_prepare_validate() after mmap_action_prepare(), as mmap
actions often manipulate state in the descriptor thus providing the final
state the VMA will be derived from.

Also call mmap_validate_vma_flags() in insert_vm_struct() to ensure that
special regions which are inserted (such as a VDSO or VVAR) also satisfy
the sanity checks.

This way every VMA established through an mmap hook, whether via mmap() or
the compatibility layer, or inserted via insert_vm_struct(), has been
validated. brk() VMAs never pass through a driver hook and so need no such
check.

While we're here, also fixup a couple disjoint blocks of #ifdef CONFIG_MMU.

Finally, update the VMA userland tests to reflect the change.

Signed-off-by: Lorenzo Stoakes (ARM) <ljs@kernel.org>
---
 mm/internal.h                   | 49 +++++++++++++--------
 mm/util.c                       | 19 +++++---
 mm/vma.c                        | 96 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++-------
 mm/vma.h                        | 24 +++++++++--
 tools/testing/vma/include/dup.h | 10 +++++
 5 files changed, 156 insertions(+), 42 deletions(-)
diff --git a/mm/internal.h b/mm/internal.h
index fe576d468af4..1ed11eaf276a 100644
--- a/mm/internal.h
+++ b/mm/internal.h
@@ -213,6 +213,24 @@ static inline void *folio_raw_mapping(const struct folio *folio)
 	return (void *)(mapping & ~FOLIO_MAPPING_FLAGS);
 }
 
+/*
+ * If the VMA has a close hook then close it, and since closing it might leave
+ * it in an inconsistent state which makes the use of any hooks suspect, clear
+ * them down by installing dummy empty hooks.
+ */
+static inline void vma_close(struct vm_area_struct *vma)
+{
+	if (vma->vm_ops && vma->vm_ops->close) {
+		vma->vm_ops->close(vma);
+
+		/*
+		 * The mapping is in an inconsistent state, and no further hooks
+		 * may be invoked upon it.
+		 */
+		vma->vm_ops = &vma_dummy_vm_ops;
+	}
+}
+
 /*
  * This is a file-backed mapping, and is about to be memory mapped - invoke its
  * mmap hook and safely handle error conditions. On error, VMA hooks will be
@@ -225,8 +243,11 @@ static inline void *folio_raw_mapping(const struct folio *folio)
  */
 static inline int mmap_file(struct file *file, struct vm_area_struct *vma)
 {
-	int err = vfs_mmap(file, vma);
+	const unsigned long prev_start = vma->vm_start;
+	const vma_flags_t prev_flags = vma->flags;
+	int err;
 
+	err = vfs_mmap(file, vma);
 	/*
 	 * Either we tried to call the file hook for mmap() and an error arose
 	 * or a driver set vma->vm_ops = NULL intending there to be no VMA
@@ -239,26 +260,16 @@ static inline int mmap_file(struct file *file, struct vm_area_struct *vma)
 	 */
 	if (unlikely(err || !vma->vm_ops))
 		vma->vm_ops = &vma_dummy_vm_ops;
+	if (unlikely(err))
+		return err;
 
-	return err;
-}
-
-/*
- * If the VMA has a close hook then close it, and since closing it might leave
- * it in an inconsistent state which makes the use of any hooks suspect, clear
- * them down by installing dummy empty hooks.
- */
-static inline void vma_close(struct vm_area_struct *vma)
-{
-	if (vma->vm_ops && vma->vm_ops->close) {
-		vma->vm_ops->close(vma);
-
-		/*
-		 * The mapping is in an inconsistent state, and no further hooks
-		 * may be invoked upon it.
-		 */
-		vma->vm_ops = &vma_dummy_vm_ops;
+	err = mmap_hook_validate(prev_start, &prev_flags, vma);
+	if (unlikely(err)) {
+		vma->vm_start = prev_start;
+		vma_close(vma);
 	}
+
+	return err;
 }
 
 /* unmap_vmas is in mm/memory.c */
diff --git a/mm/util.c b/mm/util.c
index 016932780925..bdd5923eebc7 100644
--- a/mm/util.c
+++ b/mm/util.c
@@ -1224,19 +1224,28 @@ EXPORT_SYMBOL(compat_set_desc_from_vma);
 int __compat_vma_mmap(struct vm_area_desc *desc,
 		      struct vm_area_struct *vma)
 {
+	struct vm_area_desc prev_desc;
 	int err;
 
+	/* Derive state prior to mmap_prepare hook. */
+	compat_set_desc_from_vma(&prev_desc, desc->file, vma);
 	/* Perform any preparatory tasks for mmap action. */
 	err = mmap_action_prepare(desc);
-	if (err) {
-		if (desc->vm_file != vma->vm_file)
-			fput(desc->vm_file);
-		return err;
-	}
+	if (err)
+		goto err_put;
+	/* Check the caller did nothing crazy. */
+	err = mmap_prepare_validate(&prev_desc, desc);
+	if (err)
+		goto err_put;
 	/* Update the VMA from the descriptor. */
 	compat_set_vma_from_desc(vma, desc);
 	/* Complete any specified mmap actions. */
 	return mmap_action_complete(vma, &desc->action, /*is_compat=*/true);
+
+err_put:
+	if (desc->vm_file != vma->vm_file)
+		fput(desc->vm_file);
+	return err;
 }
 EXPORT_SYMBOL(__compat_vma_mmap);
 
diff --git a/mm/vma.c b/mm/vma.c
index dc74b3d721cc..626a18c08a26 100644
--- a/mm/vma.c
+++ b/mm/vma.c
@@ -2623,16 +2623,6 @@ static int __mmap_new_file_vma(struct mmap_state *map,
 		return error;
 	}
 
-	/* Drivers cannot alter the address of the VMA. */
-	WARN_ON_ONCE(map->addr != vma->vm_start);
-	/*
-	 * Drivers should not permit writability when previously it was
-	 * disallowed.
-	 */
-	VM_WARN_ON_ONCE(!vma_flags_same_pair(&map->vma_flags, &vma->flags) &&
-			!vma_flags_test(&map->vma_flags, VMA_MAYWRITE_BIT) &&
-			vma_test(vma, VMA_MAYWRITE_BIT));
-
 	map->vma_flags = vma->flags;
 
 	return 0;
@@ -2710,11 +2700,6 @@ static int __mmap_new_vma(struct mmap_state *map, struct vm_area_struct **vmap,
 		vma->flags = map->vma_flags;
 	}
 
-#ifdef CONFIG_SPARC64
-	/* TODO: Fix SPARC ADI! */
-	WARN_ON_ONCE(!arch_validate_flags(map->vm_flags));
-#endif
-
 	/* Lock the VMA since it is modified after insertion into VMA tree */
 	vma_start_write(vma);
 	vma_iter_store_new(vmi, vma);
@@ -2777,6 +2762,76 @@ static void __mmap_complete(struct mmap_state *map, struct vm_area_struct *vma)
 	vma_set_page_prot(vma);
 }
 
+/* Check to ensure that the VMA flags of a newly mapped VMA are sane. */
+static int mmap_validate_vma_flags(const vma_flags_t *flags)
+{
+#ifdef CONFIG_SPARC64
+	const vm_flags_t legacy_flags = vma_flags_to_legacy(*flags);
+
+	/* TODO: Fix SPARC ADI! */
+	if (WARN_ON_ONCE(!arch_validate_flags(legacy_flags)))
+		return -EINVAL;
+#endif
+
+	return 0;
+}
+
+/* Check to ensure a driver hasn't done something crazy. */
+static int mmap_validate(unsigned long prev_start,
+			 unsigned long curr_start,
+			 const vma_flags_t *prev_flags,
+			 const vma_flags_t *curr_flags)
+{
+	bool was_maywrite, is_maywrite;
+
+	/* Drivers cannot alter the address of the VMA. */
+	if (WARN_ON_ONCE(prev_start != curr_start))
+		return -EINVAL;
+
+	was_maywrite = vma_flags_test(prev_flags, VMA_MAYWRITE_BIT);
+	is_maywrite = vma_flags_test(curr_flags, VMA_MAYWRITE_BIT);
+
+	/* A driver may not make a previously unwritable mapping writable. */
+	if (WARN_ON_ONCE(!was_maywrite && is_maywrite))
+		return -EINVAL;
+
+	return mmap_validate_vma_flags(curr_flags);
+}
+
+/**
+ * mmap_prepare_validate() - Ensure the driver hasn't violated invariants in its
+ * f_op->mmap_prepare hook.
+ * @prev_desc: The VMA descriptor prior to the mmap_prepare hook being called.
+ * @desc: The VMA descriptor after the mmap_prepare hook has been called.
+ *
+ * Returns: 0 on success, otherwise an error.
+ */
+int mmap_prepare_validate(const struct vm_area_desc *prev_desc,
+			  const struct vm_area_desc *desc)
+{
+	return mmap_validate(prev_desc->start, desc->start,
+			     &prev_desc->vma_flags, &desc->vma_flags);
+}
+
+/**
+ * mmap_hook_validate() - Ensure the driver hasn't violated invariants in
+ * its f_op->mmap hook.
+ * @prev_start: The start of the mapping prior to the mmap hook.
+ * @prev_flags: The VMA flags set for the VMA prior to the mmap hook.
+ * @vma: The VMA after the hook has been applied.
+ *
+ * Returns: 0 on success, otherwise an error.
+ */
+int mmap_hook_validate(unsigned long prev_start,
+		       const vma_flags_t *prev_flags,
+		       const struct vm_area_struct *vma)
+{
+	const unsigned long start = vma->vm_start;
+	const vma_flags_t *flags = &vma->flags;
+
+	return mmap_validate(prev_start, start, prev_flags, flags);
+}
+
 static int call_action_prepare(struct mmap_state *map,
 			       struct vm_area_desc *desc)
 {
@@ -2803,6 +2858,7 @@ static int call_action_prepare(struct mmap_state *map,
 static int call_mmap_prepare(struct mmap_state *map,
 		struct vm_area_desc *desc)
 {
+	const struct vm_area_desc prev_desc = *desc;
 	int err;
 
 	/* Invoke the hook. */
@@ -2828,6 +2884,11 @@ static int call_mmap_prepare(struct mmap_state *map,
 	if (err)
 		return err;
 
+	/* Check the caller did nothing crazy. */
+	err = mmap_prepare_validate(&prev_desc, desc);
+	if (err)
+		return err;
+
 	/*
 	 * MAP_PRIVATE-/dev/zero mappings are an ancient way of getting
 	 * anonymous mappings. Rather than allowing these mappings to be odd
@@ -3455,10 +3516,15 @@ int __vm_munmap(unsigned long start, size_t len, bool unlock)
 int insert_vm_struct(struct mm_struct *mm, struct vm_area_struct *vma)
 {
 	unsigned long charged = vma_pages(vma);
+	int err;
 
 	if (find_vma_intersection(mm, vma->vm_start, vma->vm_end))
 		return -ENOMEM;
 
+	err = mmap_validate_vma_flags(&vma->flags);
+	if (err)
+		return err;
+
 	if (vma_test(vma, VMA_ACCOUNT_BIT) &&
 	     security_vm_enough_memory_mm(mm, charged))
 		return -ENOMEM;
diff --git a/mm/vma.h b/mm/vma.h
index f15faa83f3d6..77d395b8b103 100644
--- a/mm/vma.h
+++ b/mm/vma.h
@@ -782,14 +782,19 @@ struct vm_area_struct *vm_area_alloc(struct mm_struct *mm);
 struct vm_area_struct *vm_area_dup(struct vm_area_struct *orig);
 void vm_area_free(struct vm_area_struct *vma);
 
-/* vma_exec.c */
 #ifdef CONFIG_MMU
+int mmap_prepare_validate(const struct vm_area_desc *prev_desc,
+			  const struct vm_area_desc *desc);
+
+int mmap_hook_validate(unsigned long prev_start,
+		       const vma_flags_t *prev_flags,
+		       const struct vm_area_struct *vma);
+
+/* vma_exec.c */
 int create_init_stack_vma(struct mm_struct *mm, struct vm_area_struct **vmap,
 			  unsigned long *top_mem_p);
 int relocate_vma_down(struct vm_area_struct *vma, unsigned long shift);
-#endif
 
-#ifdef CONFIG_MMU
 /*
  * Denies creating a writable executable mapping or gaining executable permissions.
  *
@@ -838,6 +843,19 @@ static inline bool map_deny_write_exec(const vma_flags_t *old,
 
 	return false;
 }
+#else
+static inline int mmap_prepare_validate(const struct vm_area_desc *prev_desc,
+					const struct vm_area_desc *desc)
+{
+	return 0;
+}
+
+static inline int mmap_hook_validate(unsigned long prev_start,
+				     const vma_flags_t *prev_flags,
+				     const struct vm_area_struct *vma)
+{
+	return 0;
+}
 #endif
 
 struct vm_area_struct *__install_special_mapping(struct mm_struct *mm,
diff --git a/tools/testing/vma/include/dup.h b/tools/testing/vma/include/dup.h
index 2fd422789717..2986ae6ca1e5 100644
--- a/tools/testing/vma/include/dup.h
+++ b/tools/testing/vma/include/dup.h
@@ -1359,13 +1359,23 @@ static inline int vfs_mmap_prepare(struct file *file, struct vm_area_desc *desc)
 	return file->f_op->mmap_prepare(desc);
 }
 
+int mmap_prepare_validate(const struct vm_area_desc *prev_desc,
+			  const struct vm_area_desc *desc);
+
 static inline int __compat_vma_mmap(struct vm_area_desc *desc,
 		struct vm_area_struct *vma)
 {
+	struct vm_area_desc prev_desc;
 	int err;
 
+	/* Derive state prior to mmap_prepare hook. */
+	compat_set_desc_from_vma(&prev_desc, desc->file, vma);
 	/* Perform any preparatory tasks for mmap action. */
 	err = mmap_action_prepare(desc);
+	if (err)
+		return err;
+	/* Check the caller did nothing crazy. */
+	err = mmap_prepare_validate(&prev_desc, desc);
 	if (err)
 		return err;
 	/* Update the VMA from the descriptor. */
-- 
2.55.0

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