bpf: Reject struct_ops registration that uses module ptr and the module btf_id is missing

Summary

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: bpf: Reject struct_ops registration that uses module ptr and the module btf_id is missing There is a UAF report in the bpf_struct_ops when CONFIG_MODULES=n. In particular, the report is on tcp_congestion_ops that has a "struct module *owner" member. For struct_ops that has a "struct module *owner" member, it can be extended either by the regular kernel module or by the bpf_struct_ops. bpf_try_module_get() will be used to do the refcounting and different refcount is done based on the owner pointer. When CONFIG_MODULES=n, the btf_id of the "struct module" is missing: WARN: resolve_btfids: unresolved symbol module Thus, the bpf_try_module_get() cannot do the correct refcounting. Not all subsystem's struct_ops requires the "struct module *owner" member. e.g. the recent sched_ext_ops. This patch is to disable bpf_struct_ops registration if the struct_ops has the "struct module *" member and the "struct module" btf_id is missing. The btf_type_is_fwd() helper is moved to the btf.h header file for this test. This has happened since the beginning of bpf_struct_ops which has gone through many changes. The Fixes tag is set to a recent commit that this patch can apply cleanly. Considering CONFIG_MODULES=n is not common and the age of the issue, targeting for bpf-next also.

Timeline

1. Mar 6, 2025, 3:54 PM UTCCVE published
2. Mar 6, 2025, 4:04 PM UTCCISA SSVC assessment

   Exploitation: none · Automatable: no · Technical impact: total

3. Aug 5, 2026, 11:47 AM UTCRecord last updated

Affected versions

• Linux Linux

  Version range not reported

• Linux Linux

  6.9

References 3