Re: threads

On Tue, 2004-01-20 at 20:11, Albert Cahalan wrote:
> This is not quite right. A server daemon using
> per-thread contexts is clearly within your trusted
> computing base, just as the kernel is. This can
> improve security over the obvious alternative of
> having the server run in a context that can do
> anything.

With such a model, you'll quickly end up with everything in your TCB and your system will be just as easily broken as before. Split your daemon into multiple processes running in different contexts instead. Improve security? No, just provide an illusion of it; no real separation is ensured.

> I was assuming you wouldn't hand out such
> privilige willy-nilly.

Once such a capability exists, people will use it for everything, and never even consider proper decomposition of their daemons.

> Isn't this the way LOMAC works?

Yes. But that doesn't mean it is a good idea.

-- 
Stephen Smalley <sds@epoch.ncsc.mil>
National Security Agency


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