[Haifux] Injecting a 32-bit module into a 64-bit kernel?!

[Shachar Shemesh]

Eli Billauer wrote:
>
> So I wondered if I could compile it all as 32 bit, and then somehow get 
> the 64-bit kernel to accept this alien module?
>
>   
Gut feeling - no, you can't. Not with unreasonable effort, which is 
about tantamount to running 32 and 64 bit kernels simultaneously.

Instead of thinking of the linker as the problem, why not look at the 
desired end result. Even if we, somehow, get the module to load, what 
will it have? The kernel is running in virtual addresses that are 
located at the very end of the virtual address space. I'm not sure 
whether this means 42, 48 or 64 bits, but is definitely more than than 
where a 32 bit kernel would be located. This also means that the 32 bit 
module has no means of even containing the pointers to the functions it 
needs inside its registers/GOT.

In order to solve this, you would need to map some parts of the kernel 
to its usual address (0xc0000000). Since the kernel's address space is 
mapped across all user space contexts, this would punch a hole in the 
middle of the address space for all 64 bit applications, as well as 
restore the wasted 1GB virtual area that running on 64bit kernel saves 
you when running 32bit user space.

Even if you, somehow, manage to solve this problem, you are very far 
from being able to actually run the module. The X86 architecture assigns 
32/64 bit meaning to specific segments. In other words, the SEGMENT 
REGISTER of a 32bit module needs to be different than a 64bit module. 
This implies a type of context switching between the main kernel and the 
32bit module which I'm not sure whether the kernel is built to perform.

In conclusion - if you want to go that route, you are far better off 
implementing the kernel interfaces in user space, and running the 32bit 
module there.

Shachar

-- 
Shachar Shemesh
Lingnu Open Source Consulting Ltd.
http://www.lingnu.com

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