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authorKumar Kartikeya Dwivedi <memxor@gmail.com>2026-09-04 10:43:19 +0200
committerAlexei Starovoitov <ast@kernel.org>2026-09-04 07:58:36 -0700
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tree58e8288fead484f6755ad0815fc74c3742663761 /Documentation/process/debugging/index.rst
downloadlinux-stable-6668ed271eaefaa63e686bdfbedaeb7b8e492722.tar.gz
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selftests/bpf: Reject graph kptr use after RCU unlockgrafted
Add a sleepable verifier test that loads a graph-node local kptr in an explicit RCU read-side critical section, then passes its node to bpf_rbtree_remove() after the section ends. Before the verifier fix, the stale NON_OWN_REF flag makes the node look like a live borrowed reference and the program is accepted. After the fix, the pointer is demoted without NON_OWN_REF and the graph kfunc argument is rejected. Also exercise a graph kptr loaded while a spin lock provides implicit RCU protection. The pointer must be invalidated when the lock is released, which guards the required ordering between non-owning-reference invalidation and RCU demotion. Update the existing fault-protected load test state description. The post-unlock pointer no longer carries NON_OWN_REF, but remains readable because the load is rewritten to use BPF_PROBE_MEM. Signed-off-by: Kumar Kartikeya Dwivedi <memxor@gmail.com> Link: https://lore.kernel.org/r/20260904084325.52250-7-memxor@gmail.com Signed-off-by: Alexei Starovoitov <ast@kernel.org>
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+.. SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0
+
+============================================
+Debugging advice for Linux Kernel developers
+============================================
+
+general guides
+--------------
+
+.. toctree::
+ :maxdepth: 1
+
+ driver_development_debugging_guide
+ gdb-kernel-debugging
+ kgdb
+ userspace_debugging_guide
+
+subsystem specific guides
+-------------------------
+
+.. toctree::
+ :maxdepth: 1
+
+ media_specific_debugging_guide
+
+General debugging advice
+========================
+
+Depending on the issue, a different set of tools is available to track down the
+problem or even to realize whether there is one in the first place.
+
+As a first step you have to figure out what kind of issue you want to debug.
+Depending on the answer, your methodology and choice of tools may vary.
+
+Do I need to debug with limited access?
+---------------------------------------
+
+Do you have limited access to the machine or are you unable to stop the running
+execution?
+
+In this case your debugging capability depends on built-in debugging support of
+provided distribution kernel.
+The :doc:`/process/debugging/userspace_debugging_guide` provides a brief
+overview over a range of possible debugging tools in that situation. You can
+check the capability of your kernel, in most cases, by looking into config file
+within the /boot directory.
+
+Do I have root access to the system?
+------------------------------------
+
+Are you easily able to replace the module in question or to install a new
+kernel?
+
+In that case your range of available tools is a lot bigger, you can find the
+tools in the :doc:`/process/debugging/driver_development_debugging_guide`.
+
+Is timing a factor?
+-------------------
+
+It is important to understand if the problem you want to debug manifests itself
+consistently (i.e. given a set of inputs you always get the same, incorrect
+output), or inconsistently. If it manifests itself inconsistently, some timing
+factor might be at play. If inserting delays into the code does change the
+behavior, then quite likely timing is a factor.
+
+When timing does alter the outcome of the code execution using a simple
+printk() for debugging purposes may not work, a similar alternative is to use
+trace_printk() , which logs the debug messages to the trace file instead of the
+kernel log.
+
+**Copyright** ©2024 : Collabora