1568d1562e
The `csprng_bytes()` function generates randomness and writes it into a
caller-provided buffer. It abstracts over a couple of implementations,
where the exact one that is used depends on the platform.
These implementations have different guarantees: while some guarantee to
never fail (arc4random(3)), others may fail. There are two significant
failures to distinguish from one another:
- Systemic failure, where e.g. opening "/dev/urandom" fails or when
OpenSSL doesn't have a provider configured.
- Entropy failure, where the entropy pool is exhausted, and thus the
function cannot guarantee strong cryptographic randomness.
While we cannot do anything about the former, the latter failure can be
acceptable in some situations where we don't care whether or not the
randomness can be predicted.
Introduce a new `CSPRNG_BYTES_INSECURE` flag that allows callers to opt
into weak cryptographic randomness. The exact behaviour of the flag
depends on the underlying implementation:
- `arc4random_buf()` never returns an error, so it doesn't change.
- `getrandom()` pulls from "/dev/urandom" by default, which never
blocks on modern systems even when the entropy pool is empty.
- `getentropy()` seems to block when there is not enough randomness
available, and there is no way of changing that behaviour.
- `GtlGenRandom()` doesn't mention anything about its specific
failure mode.
- The fallback reads from "/dev/urandom", which also returns bytes in
case the entropy pool is drained in modern Linux systems.
That only leaves OpenSSL with `RAND_bytes()`, which returns an error in
case the returned data wouldn't be cryptographically safe. This function
is replaced with a call to `RAND_pseudo_bytes()`, which can indicate
whether or not the returned data is cryptographically secure via its
return value. If it is insecure, and if the `CSPRNG_BYTES_INSECURE` flag
is set, then we ignore the insecurity and return the data regardless.
It is somewhat questionable whether we really need the flag in the first
place, or whether we wouldn't just ignore the potentially-insecure data.
But the risk of doing that is that we might have or grow callsites that
aren't aware of the potential insecureness of the data in places where
it really matters. So using a flag to opt-in to that behaviour feels
like the more secure choice.
Signed-off-by: Patrick Steinhardt <ps@pks.im>
Signed-off-by: Junio C Hamano <gitster@pobox.com>
Git - fast, scalable, distributed revision control system
Git is a fast, scalable, distributed revision control system with an unusually rich command set that provides both high-level operations and full access to internals.
Git is an Open Source project covered by the GNU General Public License version 2 (some parts of it are under different licenses, compatible with the GPLv2). It was originally written by Linus Torvalds with help of a group of hackers around the net.
Please read the file INSTALL for installation instructions.
Many Git online resources are accessible from https://git-scm.com/ including full documentation and Git related tools.
See Documentation/gittutorial.txt to get started, then see
Documentation/giteveryday.txt for a useful minimum set of commands, and
Documentation/git-<commandname>.txt for documentation of each command.
If git has been correctly installed, then the tutorial can also be
read with man gittutorial or git help tutorial, and the
documentation of each command with man git-<commandname> or git help <commandname>.
CVS users may also want to read Documentation/gitcvs-migration.txt
(man gitcvs-migration or git help cvs-migration if git is
installed).
The user discussion and development of Git take place on the Git mailing list -- everyone is welcome to post bug reports, feature requests, comments and patches to git@vger.kernel.org (read Documentation/SubmittingPatches for instructions on patch submission and Documentation/CodingGuidelines).
Those wishing to help with error message, usage and informational message
string translations (localization l10) should see po/README.md
(a po file is a Portable Object file that holds the translations).
To subscribe to the list, send an email to git+subscribe@vger.kernel.org (see https://subspace.kernel.org/subscribing.html for details). The mailing list archives are available at https://lore.kernel.org/git/, https://marc.info/?l=git and other archival sites.
Issues which are security relevant should be disclosed privately to the Git Security mailing list git-security@googlegroups.com.
The maintainer frequently sends the "What's cooking" reports that list the current status of various development topics to the mailing list. The discussion following them give a good reference for project status, development direction and remaining tasks.
The name "git" was given by Linus Torvalds when he wrote the very first version. He described the tool as "the stupid content tracker" and the name as (depending on your mood):
- random three-letter combination that is pronounceable, and not actually used by any common UNIX command. The fact that it is a mispronunciation of "get" may or may not be relevant.
- stupid. contemptible and despicable. simple. Take your pick from the dictionary of slang.
- "global information tracker": you're in a good mood, and it actually works for you. Angels sing, and a light suddenly fills the room.
- "goddamn idiotic truckload of sh*t": when it breaks