Arch Linux

xavloose

Member

Registered: 2017-02-08

Posts: 3

[SOLVED] linux-grsec 4.9.8 Bootloop

I just wanted to ask this here before I submit a bug report. I don't even know if I am supposed to submit a bug for a currently testing package. I am working on some security stuff for a competition and I currently cannot produce a kernel that boots using grsecurity's last two 4.9.8 patches. I have no problems in the past ever getting one of their kernels to boot even after I play with the config. I performed the build in a fresh clean chroot with no visible errors. My laptop enters an infinte bootloop and doesn't get to printk or systemd. Is anyone else having these problems? I have built several kernels and get the same problem in a vagrant machine. I have even tried the testing kernel to no avail.

Last edited by xavloose (2017-02-08 20:24:08)

adamlau

Member

Registered: 2009-01-30

Posts: 418

Re: [SOLVED] linux-grsec 4.9.8 Bootloop

You can certainly file a bug against a testing package. However, I have had no issues booting into the past two 4.9.8 linux-grsec kernels. This is including the version currently in Testing. Laptop as well. Are you sure /boot was mounted when you installed the kernel(s)? Are you able to boot into vanilla 4.9.8? What does your mkinitcpio.conf look like?

EDIT: I also have two stations up and running custom 4.9.8 + 201702071801 kernels. While this certainly does not rule our kernel/grsec patch code as the culprit, I would initially look elsewhere based on this anecdotal evidence of successfully bootable instances.

Last edited by adamlau (2017-02-08 15:30:27)

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Arch Linux + sway
Debian Testing + GNOME/sway
NetBSD 64-bit + Xfce

xavloose

Member

Registered: 2017-02-08

Posts: 3

Re: [SOLVED] linux-grsec 4.9.8 Bootloop

My mkinitcpio.conf is vanilla except for the i915 module for graphics. I am on a macbook pro 12,1. I can boot the vanilla kernel fine, I always keep it around for cases like this, just grsec kernels aren't working. I am going to try booting a copy of my kernels on an esxi vm I have access too. It very may well be this laptop. I'll edit this post once I get a chance. I'll also try posting on grsecurity forums before I file a bug against the arch package.

QuackDonkey

Member

Registered: 2017-01-27

Posts: 24

Re: [SOLVED] linux-grsec 4.9.8 Bootloop

There is already opened bug about that: https://bugs.archlinux.org/task/52881

xavloose

Member

Registered: 2017-02-08

Posts: 3

Re: [SOLVED] linux-grsec 4.9.8 Bootloop

Thanks for finding that! I'll keep an eye on that.