[meta-ti] linux-omap-psp and security code

Vladimir Zapolskiy vladimir_zapolskiy at mentor.com
Thu Jul 19 03:31:26 PDT 2012


Hello,

I have a question about linux-omap-psp-2.6.32 kernel and boards, which 
uses this kernel, in particular about 
0038-ARM-Expose-some-CPU-control-registers-via-sysfs.patch. The recent 
toolchains based on binutils-2.21 or later imply more accurate handling 
with `smc #0' instructions, which are found in the aforementioned patch. 
The compilation of the linux-omap-psp kernel with such toolchains leads 
to "selected processor does not support ARM mode `smc #0'" errors. The 
patch itself adds /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpuN/ nodes providing access 
to control register, auxiliary control register, and L2 cache auxiliary 
control register.

I see several possible solutions of the problem, and I'd be glad to find 
out the best one. First of all it might have sense to remove the patch 
completely, because its functionality is purely optional, presumably it 
is not used by any userspace programs and therefore can be omitted. As a 
soft alternative CONFIG_CPU_V7_SYSFS kernel option for a list of boards 
could be disabled in default kernel config files, but I personally don't 
like this variant, because it merely veils a problem, better to remove 
the patch itself.

One more option is to fix the patch, either remove store feature of 
/sys/devices/system/cpu/cpuN/(l2_)?aux_control files or provide 
-march=armv7-a+sec AFLAGS in Makefile.

Any suggestions and comments are appreciated.

With best wishes,
Vladimir



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