From: Abhinav Saxena <xandfury@gmail.com>
TIOCSTI is a TTY ioctl command that allows inserting characters into
the terminal input queue, making it appear as if the user typed those
characters.
Add a test suite with four tests to verify TIOCSTI behaviour in
different scenarios when dev.tty.legacy_tiocsti is both enabled and
disabled:
- Test TIOCSTI functionality when legacy support is enabled
- Test TIOCSTI rejection when legacy support is disabled
- Test capability requirements for TIOCSTI usage
- Test TIOCSTI security with file descriptor passing
The tests validate proper enforcement of the legacy_tiocsti sysctl
introduced in commit 83efeeeb3d04 ("tty: Allow TIOCSTI to be disabled").
See tty_ioctl(4) for details on TIOCSTI behavior and security
requirements.
Signed-off-by: Abhinav Saxena <xandfury@gmail.com>
---
tools/testing/selftests/tty/Makefile | 6 +-
tools/testing/selftests/tty/config | 1 +
tools/testing/selftests/tty/tty_tiocsti_test.c | 421 +++++++++++++++++++++++++
3 files changed, 427 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-)
diff --git a/tools/testing/selftests/tty/Makefile b/tools/testing/selftests/tty/Makefile
index 50d7027b2ae3..7f6fbe5a0cd5 100644
--- a/tools/testing/selftests/tty/Makefile
+++ b/tools/testing/selftests/tty/Makefile
@@ -1,5 +1,9 @@
# SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0
CFLAGS = -O2 -Wall
-TEST_GEN_PROGS := tty_tstamp_update
+TEST_GEN_PROGS := tty_tstamp_update tty_tiocsti_test
+LDLIBS += -lcap
include ../lib.mk
+
+# Add libcap for TIOCSTI test
+$(OUTPUT)/tty_tiocsti_test: LDLIBS += -lcap
diff --git a/tools/testing/selftests/tty/config b/tools/testing/selftests/tty/config
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..c6373aba6636
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tools/testing/selftests/tty/config
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+CONFIG_LEGACY_TIOCSTI=y
diff --git a/tools/testing/selftests/tty/tty_tiocsti_test.c b/tools/testing/selftests/tty/tty_tiocsti_test.c
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..6a4b497078b0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tools/testing/selftests/tty/tty_tiocsti_test.c
@@ -0,0 +1,421 @@
+// SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0
+/*
+ * TTY Tests - TIOCSTI
+ *
+ * Copyright © 2025 Abhinav Saxena <xandfury@gmail.com>
+ */
+
+#include <stdio.h>
+#include <stdlib.h>
+#include <unistd.h>
+#include <fcntl.h>
+#include <sys/ioctl.h>
+#include <errno.h>
+#include <stdbool.h>
+#include <string.h>
+#include <sys/socket.h>
+#include <sys/wait.h>
+#include <pwd.h>
+#include <termios.h>
+#include <grp.h>
+#include <sys/capability.h>
+#include <sys/prctl.h>
+
+#include "../kselftest_harness.h"
+
+/* Helper function to send FD via SCM_RIGHTS */
+static int send_fd_via_socket(int socket_fd, int fd_to_send)
+{
+ struct msghdr msg = { 0 };
+ struct cmsghdr *cmsg;
+ char cmsg_buf[CMSG_SPACE(sizeof(int))];
+ char dummy_data = 'F';
+ struct iovec iov = { .iov_base = &dummy_data, .iov_len = 1 };
+
+ msg.msg_iov = &iov;
+ msg.msg_iovlen = 1;
+ msg.msg_control = cmsg_buf;
+ msg.msg_controllen = sizeof(cmsg_buf);
+
+ cmsg = CMSG_FIRSTHDR(&msg);
+ cmsg->cmsg_level = SOL_SOCKET;
+ cmsg->cmsg_type = SCM_RIGHTS;
+ cmsg->cmsg_len = CMSG_LEN(sizeof(int));
+
+ memcpy(CMSG_DATA(cmsg), &fd_to_send, sizeof(int));
+
+ return sendmsg(socket_fd, &msg, 0) < 0 ? -1 : 0;
+}
+
+/* Helper function to receive FD via SCM_RIGHTS */
+static int recv_fd_via_socket(int socket_fd)
+{
+ struct msghdr msg = { 0 };
+ struct cmsghdr *cmsg;
+ char cmsg_buf[CMSG_SPACE(sizeof(int))];
+ char dummy_data;
+ struct iovec iov = { .iov_base = &dummy_data, .iov_len = 1 };
+ int received_fd = -1;
+
+ msg.msg_iov = &iov;
+ msg.msg_iovlen = 1;
+ msg.msg_control = cmsg_buf;
+ msg.msg_controllen = sizeof(cmsg_buf);
+
+ if (recvmsg(socket_fd, &msg, 0) < 0)
+ return -1;
+
+ for (cmsg = CMSG_FIRSTHDR(&msg); cmsg; cmsg = CMSG_NXTHDR(&msg, cmsg)) {
+ if (cmsg->cmsg_level == SOL_SOCKET &&
+ cmsg->cmsg_type == SCM_RIGHTS) {
+ memcpy(&received_fd, CMSG_DATA(cmsg), sizeof(int));
+ break;
+ }
+ }
+
+ return received_fd;
+}
+
+static inline bool has_cap_sys_admin(void)
+{
+ cap_t caps = cap_get_proc();
+
+ if (!caps)
+ return false;
+
+ cap_flag_value_t cap_val;
+ bool has_cap = (cap_get_flag(caps, CAP_SYS_ADMIN, CAP_EFFECTIVE,
+ &cap_val) == 0) &&
+ (cap_val == CAP_SET);
+
+ cap_free(caps);
+ return has_cap;
+}
+
+/*
+ * Simple privilege drop that just changes uid/gid in current process
+ * and also capabilities like CAP_SYS_ADMIN
+ */
+static inline bool drop_to_nobody(void)
+{
+ /* Drop supplementary groups */
+ if (setgroups(0, NULL) != 0) {
+ printf("setgroups failed: %s", strerror(errno));
+ return false;
+ }
+
+ /* Change group to nobody */
+ if (setgid(65534) != 0) {
+ printf("setgid failed: %s", strerror(errno));
+ return false;
+ }
+
+ /* Change user to nobody (this drops capabilities) */
+ if (setuid(65534) != 0) {
+ printf("setuid failed: %s", strerror(errno));
+ return false;
+ }
+
+ /* Verify we no longer have CAP_SYS_ADMIN */
+ if (has_cap_sys_admin()) {
+ printf("ERROR: Still have CAP_SYS_ADMIN after changing to nobody");
+ return false;
+ }
+
+ printf("Successfully changed to nobody (uid:%d gid:%d)\n", getuid(),
+ getgid());
+ return true;
+}
+
+static inline int get_legacy_tiocsti_setting(void)
+{
+ FILE *fp;
+ int value = -1;
+
+ fp = fopen("/proc/sys/dev/tty/legacy_tiocsti", "r");
+ if (!fp) {
+ if (errno == ENOENT) {
+ printf("legacy_tiocsti sysctl not available (kernel < 6.2)\n");
+ } else {
+ printf("Cannot read legacy_tiocsti: %s\n",
+ strerror(errno));
+ }
+ return -1;
+ }
+
+ if (fscanf(fp, "%d", &value) == 1) {
+ printf("legacy_tiocsti setting=%d\n", value);
+
+ if (value < 0 || value > 1) {
+ printf("legacy_tiocsti unexpected value %d\n", value);
+ value = -1;
+ } else {
+ printf("legacy_tiocsti=%d (%s mode)\n", value,
+ value == 0 ? "restricted" : "permissive");
+ }
+ } else {
+ printf("Failed to parse legacy_tiocsti value");
+ value = -1;
+ }
+
+ fclose(fp);
+ return value;
+}
+
+static inline int test_tiocsti_injection(int fd)
+{
+ int ret;
+ char test_char = 'X';
+
+ ret = ioctl(fd, TIOCSTI, &test_char);
+ if (ret == 0) {
+ /* Clear the injected character */
+ printf("TIOCSTI injection succeeded\n");
+ } else {
+ printf("TIOCSTI injection failed: %s (errno=%d)\n",
+ strerror(errno), errno);
+ }
+ return ret == 0 ? 0 : -1;
+}
+
+FIXTURE(tty_tiocsti)
+{
+ int tty_fd;
+ char *tty_name;
+ bool has_tty;
+ bool initial_cap_sys_admin;
+ int legacy_tiocsti_setting;
+};
+
+FIXTURE_SETUP(tty_tiocsti)
+{
+ TH_LOG("Running as UID: %d with effective UID: %d", getuid(),
+ geteuid());
+
+ self->tty_fd = open("/dev/tty", O_RDWR);
+ self->has_tty = (self->tty_fd >= 0);
+
+ if (self->tty_fd < 0)
+ TH_LOG("Cannot open /dev/tty: %s", strerror(errno));
+
+ self->tty_name = ttyname(STDIN_FILENO);
+ TH_LOG("Current TTY: %s", self->tty_name ? self->tty_name : "none");
+
+ self->initial_cap_sys_admin = has_cap_sys_admin();
+ TH_LOG("Initial CAP_SYS_ADMIN: %s",
+ self->initial_cap_sys_admin ? "yes" : "no");
+
+ self->legacy_tiocsti_setting = get_legacy_tiocsti_setting();
+}
+
+FIXTURE_TEARDOWN(tty_tiocsti)
+{
+ if (self->has_tty && self->tty_fd >= 0)
+ close(self->tty_fd);
+}
+
+/* Test case 1: legacy_tiocsti != 0 (permissive mode) */
+TEST_F(tty_tiocsti, permissive_mode)
+{
+ // clang-format off
+ if (self->legacy_tiocsti_setting < 0)
+ SKIP(return,
+ "legacy_tiocsti sysctl not available (kernel < 6.2)");
+
+ if (self->legacy_tiocsti_setting == 0)
+ SKIP(return,
+ "Test requires permissive mode (legacy_tiocsti=1)");
+ // clang-format on
+
+ ASSERT_TRUE(self->has_tty);
+
+ if (self->initial_cap_sys_admin) {
+ ASSERT_TRUE(drop_to_nobody());
+ ASSERT_FALSE(has_cap_sys_admin());
+ }
+
+ /* In permissive mode, TIOCSTI should work without CAP_SYS_ADMIN */
+ EXPECT_EQ(test_tiocsti_injection(self->tty_fd), 0)
+ {
+ TH_LOG("TIOCSTI should succeed in permissive mode without CAP_SYS_ADMIN");
+ }
+}
+
+/* Test case 2: legacy_tiocsti == 0, without CAP_SYS_ADMIN (should fail) */
+TEST_F(tty_tiocsti, restricted_mode_nopriv)
+{
+ // clang-format off
+ if (self->legacy_tiocsti_setting < 0)
+ SKIP(return,
+ "legacy_tiocsti sysctl not available (kernel < 6.2)");
+
+ if (self->legacy_tiocsti_setting != 0)
+ SKIP(return,
+ "Test requires restricted mode (legacy_tiocsti=0)");
+ // clang-format on
+
+ ASSERT_TRUE(self->has_tty);
+
+ if (self->initial_cap_sys_admin) {
+ ASSERT_TRUE(drop_to_nobody());
+ ASSERT_FALSE(has_cap_sys_admin());
+ }
+ /* In restricted mode, TIOCSTI should fail without CAP_SYS_ADMIN */
+ EXPECT_EQ(test_tiocsti_injection(self->tty_fd), -1);
+
+ /*
+ * it might fail with either EPERM or EIO
+ * EXPECT_TRUE(errno == EPERM || errno == EIO)
+ * {
+ * TH_LOG("Expected EPERM, got: %s", strerror(errno));
+ * }
+ */
+}
+
+/* Test case 3: legacy_tiocsti == 0, with CAP_SYS_ADMIN (should succeed) */
+TEST_F(tty_tiocsti, restricted_mode_priv)
+{
+ // clang-format off
+ if (self->legacy_tiocsti_setting < 0)
+ SKIP(return,
+ "legacy_tiocsti sysctl not available (kernel < 6.2)");
+
+ if (self->legacy_tiocsti_setting != 0)
+ SKIP(return,
+ "Test requires restricted mode (legacy_tiocsti=0)");
+ // clang-format on
+
+ /* Must have CAP_SYS_ADMIN for this test */
+ if (!self->initial_cap_sys_admin)
+ SKIP(return, "Test requires CAP_SYS_ADMIN");
+
+ ASSERT_TRUE(self->has_tty);
+ ASSERT_TRUE(has_cap_sys_admin());
+
+ /* In restricted mode, TIOCSTI should succeed with CAP_SYS_ADMIN */
+ EXPECT_EQ(test_tiocsti_injection(self->tty_fd), 0)
+ {
+ TH_LOG("TIOCSTI should succeed in restricted mode with CAP_SYS_ADMIN");
+ }
+}
+
+/* Test TIOCSTI security with file descriptor passing */
+TEST_F(tty_tiocsti, fd_passing_security)
+{
+ // clang-format off
+ if (self->legacy_tiocsti_setting < 0)
+ SKIP(return,
+ "legacy_tiocsti sysctl not available (kernel < 6.2)");
+
+ if (self->legacy_tiocsti_setting != 0)
+ SKIP(return,
+ "Test requires restricted mode (legacy_tiocsti=0)");
+ // clang-format on
+
+ /* Must start with CAP_SYS_ADMIN */
+ if (!self->initial_cap_sys_admin)
+ SKIP(return, "Test requires initial CAP_SYS_ADMIN");
+
+ int sockpair[2];
+ pid_t child_pid;
+
+ ASSERT_EQ(socketpair(AF_UNIX, SOCK_STREAM, 0, sockpair), 0);
+
+ child_pid = fork();
+ ASSERT_GE(child_pid, 0)
+ TH_LOG("Fork failed: %s", strerror(errno));
+
+ if (child_pid == 0) {
+ /* Child process - become unprivileged, open TTY, send FD to parent */
+ close(sockpair[0]);
+
+ TH_LOG("Child: Dropping privileges...");
+
+ /* Drop to nobody user (loses all capabilities) */
+ drop_to_nobody();
+
+ /* Verify we no longer have CAP_SYS_ADMIN */
+ if (has_cap_sys_admin()) {
+ TH_LOG("Child: Failed to drop CAP_SYS_ADMIN");
+ _exit(1);
+ }
+
+ TH_LOG("Child: Opening TTY as unprivileged user...");
+
+ int unprivileged_tty_fd = open("/dev/tty", O_RDWR);
+
+ if (unprivileged_tty_fd < 0) {
+ TH_LOG("Child: Cannot open TTY: %s", strerror(errno));
+ _exit(1);
+ }
+
+ /* Test that we can't use TIOCSTI directly (should fail) */
+
+ char test_char = 'X';
+
+ if (ioctl(unprivileged_tty_fd, TIOCSTI, &test_char) == 0) {
+ TH_LOG("Child: ERROR - Direct TIOCSTI succeeded unexpectedly!");
+ close(unprivileged_tty_fd);
+ _exit(1);
+ }
+ TH_LOG("Child: Good - Direct TIOCSTI failed as expected: %s",
+ strerror(errno));
+
+ /* Send the TTY FD to privileged parent via SCM_RIGHTS */
+ TH_LOG("Child: Sending TTY FD to privileged parent...");
+ if (send_fd_via_socket(sockpair[1], unprivileged_tty_fd) != 0) {
+ TH_LOG("Child: Failed to send FD");
+ close(unprivileged_tty_fd);
+ _exit(1);
+ }
+
+ close(unprivileged_tty_fd);
+ close(sockpair[1]);
+ _exit(0); /* Child success */
+
+ } else {
+ /* Parent process - keep CAP_SYS_ADMIN, receive FD, test TIOCSTI */
+ close(sockpair[1]);
+
+ TH_LOG("Parent: Waiting for TTY FD from unprivileged child...");
+
+ /* Verify we still have CAP_SYS_ADMIN */
+ ASSERT_TRUE(has_cap_sys_admin());
+
+ /* Receive the TTY FD from unprivileged child */
+ int received_fd = recv_fd_via_socket(sockpair[0]);
+
+ ASSERT_GE(received_fd, 0)
+ TH_LOG("Parent: Received FD %d (opened by unprivileged process)",
+ received_fd);
+
+ /*
+ * VULNERABILITY TEST: Try TIOCSTI with FD opened by unprivileged process
+ * This should FAIL even though parent has CAP_SYS_ADMIN
+ * because the FD was opened by unprivileged process
+ */
+ char attack_char = 'V'; /* V for Vulnerability */
+ int ret = ioctl(received_fd, TIOCSTI, &attack_char);
+
+ TH_LOG("Parent: Testing TIOCSTI on FD from unprivileged process...");
+ if (ret == 0) {
+ TH_LOG("*** VULNERABILITY DETECTED ***");
+ TH_LOG("Privileged process can use TIOCSTI on unprivileged FD");
+ } else {
+ TH_LOG("TIOCSTI failed on unprivileged FD: %s",
+ strerror(errno));
+ EXPECT_EQ(errno, EPERM);
+ }
+ close(received_fd);
+ close(sockpair[0]);
+
+ /* Wait for child */
+ int status;
+
+ ASSERT_EQ(waitpid(child_pid, &status, 0), child_pid);
+ EXPECT_EQ(WEXITSTATUS(status), 0);
+ ASSERT_NE(ret, 0);
+ }
+}
+
+TEST_HARNESS_MAIN
--
2.43.0
On Sun, Jun 22, 2025 at 9:41 PM Abhinav Saxena via B4 Relay
<devnull+xandfury.gmail.com@kernel.org> wrote:
>
> From: Abhinav Saxena <xandfury@gmail.com>
>
> TIOCSTI is a TTY ioctl command that allows inserting characters into
> the terminal input queue, making it appear as if the user typed those
> characters.
>
> Add a test suite with four tests to verify TIOCSTI behaviour in
> different scenarios when dev.tty.legacy_tiocsti is both enabled and
> disabled:
>
> - Test TIOCSTI functionality when legacy support is enabled
> - Test TIOCSTI rejection when legacy support is disabled
> - Test capability requirements for TIOCSTI usage
> - Test TIOCSTI security with file descriptor passing
>
> The tests validate proper enforcement of the legacy_tiocsti sysctl
> introduced in commit 83efeeeb3d04 ("tty: Allow TIOCSTI to be disabled").
> See tty_ioctl(4) for details on TIOCSTI behavior and security
> requirements.
SELinux has its own testsuite at [1] since not everyone enables
SELinux, which is where any tests specific to SELinux functionality
should be added.
[1] https://github.com/selinuxproject/selinux-testsuite
> Signed-off-by: Abhinav Saxena <xandfury@gmail.com>
> ---
> tools/testing/selftests/tty/Makefile | 6 +-
> tools/testing/selftests/tty/config | 1 +
> tools/testing/selftests/tty/tty_tiocsti_test.c | 421 +++++++++++++++++++++++++
> 3 files changed, 427 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-)
>
> diff --git a/tools/testing/selftests/tty/Makefile b/tools/testing/selftests/tty/Makefile
> index 50d7027b2ae3..7f6fbe5a0cd5 100644
> --- a/tools/testing/selftests/tty/Makefile
> +++ b/tools/testing/selftests/tty/Makefile
> @@ -1,5 +1,9 @@
> # SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0
> CFLAGS = -O2 -Wall
> -TEST_GEN_PROGS := tty_tstamp_update
> +TEST_GEN_PROGS := tty_tstamp_update tty_tiocsti_test
> +LDLIBS += -lcap
>
> include ../lib.mk
> +
> +# Add libcap for TIOCSTI test
> +$(OUTPUT)/tty_tiocsti_test: LDLIBS += -lcap
> diff --git a/tools/testing/selftests/tty/config b/tools/testing/selftests/tty/config
> new file mode 100644
> index 000000000000..c6373aba6636
> --- /dev/null
> +++ b/tools/testing/selftests/tty/config
> @@ -0,0 +1 @@
> +CONFIG_LEGACY_TIOCSTI=y
> diff --git a/tools/testing/selftests/tty/tty_tiocsti_test.c b/tools/testing/selftests/tty/tty_tiocsti_test.c
> new file mode 100644
> index 000000000000..6a4b497078b0
> --- /dev/null
> +++ b/tools/testing/selftests/tty/tty_tiocsti_test.c
> @@ -0,0 +1,421 @@
> +// SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0
> +/*
> + * TTY Tests - TIOCSTI
> + *
> + * Copyright © 2025 Abhinav Saxena <xandfury@gmail.com>
> + */
> +
> +#include <stdio.h>
> +#include <stdlib.h>
> +#include <unistd.h>
> +#include <fcntl.h>
> +#include <sys/ioctl.h>
> +#include <errno.h>
> +#include <stdbool.h>
> +#include <string.h>
> +#include <sys/socket.h>
> +#include <sys/wait.h>
> +#include <pwd.h>
> +#include <termios.h>
> +#include <grp.h>
> +#include <sys/capability.h>
> +#include <sys/prctl.h>
> +
> +#include "../kselftest_harness.h"
> +
> +/* Helper function to send FD via SCM_RIGHTS */
> +static int send_fd_via_socket(int socket_fd, int fd_to_send)
> +{
> + struct msghdr msg = { 0 };
> + struct cmsghdr *cmsg;
> + char cmsg_buf[CMSG_SPACE(sizeof(int))];
> + char dummy_data = 'F';
> + struct iovec iov = { .iov_base = &dummy_data, .iov_len = 1 };
> +
> + msg.msg_iov = &iov;
> + msg.msg_iovlen = 1;
> + msg.msg_control = cmsg_buf;
> + msg.msg_controllen = sizeof(cmsg_buf);
> +
> + cmsg = CMSG_FIRSTHDR(&msg);
> + cmsg->cmsg_level = SOL_SOCKET;
> + cmsg->cmsg_type = SCM_RIGHTS;
> + cmsg->cmsg_len = CMSG_LEN(sizeof(int));
> +
> + memcpy(CMSG_DATA(cmsg), &fd_to_send, sizeof(int));
> +
> + return sendmsg(socket_fd, &msg, 0) < 0 ? -1 : 0;
> +}
> +
> +/* Helper function to receive FD via SCM_RIGHTS */
> +static int recv_fd_via_socket(int socket_fd)
> +{
> + struct msghdr msg = { 0 };
> + struct cmsghdr *cmsg;
> + char cmsg_buf[CMSG_SPACE(sizeof(int))];
> + char dummy_data;
> + struct iovec iov = { .iov_base = &dummy_data, .iov_len = 1 };
> + int received_fd = -1;
> +
> + msg.msg_iov = &iov;
> + msg.msg_iovlen = 1;
> + msg.msg_control = cmsg_buf;
> + msg.msg_controllen = sizeof(cmsg_buf);
> +
> + if (recvmsg(socket_fd, &msg, 0) < 0)
> + return -1;
> +
> + for (cmsg = CMSG_FIRSTHDR(&msg); cmsg; cmsg = CMSG_NXTHDR(&msg, cmsg)) {
> + if (cmsg->cmsg_level == SOL_SOCKET &&
> + cmsg->cmsg_type == SCM_RIGHTS) {
> + memcpy(&received_fd, CMSG_DATA(cmsg), sizeof(int));
> + break;
> + }
> + }
> +
> + return received_fd;
> +}
> +
> +static inline bool has_cap_sys_admin(void)
> +{
> + cap_t caps = cap_get_proc();
> +
> + if (!caps)
> + return false;
> +
> + cap_flag_value_t cap_val;
> + bool has_cap = (cap_get_flag(caps, CAP_SYS_ADMIN, CAP_EFFECTIVE,
> + &cap_val) == 0) &&
> + (cap_val == CAP_SET);
> +
> + cap_free(caps);
> + return has_cap;
> +}
> +
> +/*
> + * Simple privilege drop that just changes uid/gid in current process
> + * and also capabilities like CAP_SYS_ADMIN
> + */
> +static inline bool drop_to_nobody(void)
> +{
> + /* Drop supplementary groups */
> + if (setgroups(0, NULL) != 0) {
> + printf("setgroups failed: %s", strerror(errno));
> + return false;
> + }
> +
> + /* Change group to nobody */
> + if (setgid(65534) != 0) {
> + printf("setgid failed: %s", strerror(errno));
> + return false;
> + }
> +
> + /* Change user to nobody (this drops capabilities) */
> + if (setuid(65534) != 0) {
> + printf("setuid failed: %s", strerror(errno));
> + return false;
> + }
> +
> + /* Verify we no longer have CAP_SYS_ADMIN */
> + if (has_cap_sys_admin()) {
> + printf("ERROR: Still have CAP_SYS_ADMIN after changing to nobody");
> + return false;
> + }
> +
> + printf("Successfully changed to nobody (uid:%d gid:%d)\n", getuid(),
> + getgid());
> + return true;
> +}
> +
> +static inline int get_legacy_tiocsti_setting(void)
> +{
> + FILE *fp;
> + int value = -1;
> +
> + fp = fopen("/proc/sys/dev/tty/legacy_tiocsti", "r");
> + if (!fp) {
> + if (errno == ENOENT) {
> + printf("legacy_tiocsti sysctl not available (kernel < 6.2)\n");
> + } else {
> + printf("Cannot read legacy_tiocsti: %s\n",
> + strerror(errno));
> + }
> + return -1;
> + }
> +
> + if (fscanf(fp, "%d", &value) == 1) {
> + printf("legacy_tiocsti setting=%d\n", value);
> +
> + if (value < 0 || value > 1) {
> + printf("legacy_tiocsti unexpected value %d\n", value);
> + value = -1;
> + } else {
> + printf("legacy_tiocsti=%d (%s mode)\n", value,
> + value == 0 ? "restricted" : "permissive");
> + }
> + } else {
> + printf("Failed to parse legacy_tiocsti value");
> + value = -1;
> + }
> +
> + fclose(fp);
> + return value;
> +}
> +
> +static inline int test_tiocsti_injection(int fd)
> +{
> + int ret;
> + char test_char = 'X';
> +
> + ret = ioctl(fd, TIOCSTI, &test_char);
> + if (ret == 0) {
> + /* Clear the injected character */
> + printf("TIOCSTI injection succeeded\n");
> + } else {
> + printf("TIOCSTI injection failed: %s (errno=%d)\n",
> + strerror(errno), errno);
> + }
> + return ret == 0 ? 0 : -1;
> +}
> +
> +FIXTURE(tty_tiocsti)
> +{
> + int tty_fd;
> + char *tty_name;
> + bool has_tty;
> + bool initial_cap_sys_admin;
> + int legacy_tiocsti_setting;
> +};
> +
> +FIXTURE_SETUP(tty_tiocsti)
> +{
> + TH_LOG("Running as UID: %d with effective UID: %d", getuid(),
> + geteuid());
> +
> + self->tty_fd = open("/dev/tty", O_RDWR);
> + self->has_tty = (self->tty_fd >= 0);
> +
> + if (self->tty_fd < 0)
> + TH_LOG("Cannot open /dev/tty: %s", strerror(errno));
> +
> + self->tty_name = ttyname(STDIN_FILENO);
> + TH_LOG("Current TTY: %s", self->tty_name ? self->tty_name : "none");
> +
> + self->initial_cap_sys_admin = has_cap_sys_admin();
> + TH_LOG("Initial CAP_SYS_ADMIN: %s",
> + self->initial_cap_sys_admin ? "yes" : "no");
> +
> + self->legacy_tiocsti_setting = get_legacy_tiocsti_setting();
> +}
> +
> +FIXTURE_TEARDOWN(tty_tiocsti)
> +{
> + if (self->has_tty && self->tty_fd >= 0)
> + close(self->tty_fd);
> +}
> +
> +/* Test case 1: legacy_tiocsti != 0 (permissive mode) */
> +TEST_F(tty_tiocsti, permissive_mode)
> +{
> + // clang-format off
> + if (self->legacy_tiocsti_setting < 0)
> + SKIP(return,
> + "legacy_tiocsti sysctl not available (kernel < 6.2)");
> +
> + if (self->legacy_tiocsti_setting == 0)
> + SKIP(return,
> + "Test requires permissive mode (legacy_tiocsti=1)");
> + // clang-format on
> +
> + ASSERT_TRUE(self->has_tty);
> +
> + if (self->initial_cap_sys_admin) {
> + ASSERT_TRUE(drop_to_nobody());
> + ASSERT_FALSE(has_cap_sys_admin());
> + }
> +
> + /* In permissive mode, TIOCSTI should work without CAP_SYS_ADMIN */
> + EXPECT_EQ(test_tiocsti_injection(self->tty_fd), 0)
> + {
> + TH_LOG("TIOCSTI should succeed in permissive mode without CAP_SYS_ADMIN");
> + }
> +}
> +
> +/* Test case 2: legacy_tiocsti == 0, without CAP_SYS_ADMIN (should fail) */
> +TEST_F(tty_tiocsti, restricted_mode_nopriv)
> +{
> + // clang-format off
> + if (self->legacy_tiocsti_setting < 0)
> + SKIP(return,
> + "legacy_tiocsti sysctl not available (kernel < 6.2)");
> +
> + if (self->legacy_tiocsti_setting != 0)
> + SKIP(return,
> + "Test requires restricted mode (legacy_tiocsti=0)");
> + // clang-format on
> +
> + ASSERT_TRUE(self->has_tty);
> +
> + if (self->initial_cap_sys_admin) {
> + ASSERT_TRUE(drop_to_nobody());
> + ASSERT_FALSE(has_cap_sys_admin());
> + }
> + /* In restricted mode, TIOCSTI should fail without CAP_SYS_ADMIN */
> + EXPECT_EQ(test_tiocsti_injection(self->tty_fd), -1);
> +
> + /*
> + * it might fail with either EPERM or EIO
> + * EXPECT_TRUE(errno == EPERM || errno == EIO)
> + * {
> + * TH_LOG("Expected EPERM, got: %s", strerror(errno));
> + * }
> + */
> +}
> +
> +/* Test case 3: legacy_tiocsti == 0, with CAP_SYS_ADMIN (should succeed) */
> +TEST_F(tty_tiocsti, restricted_mode_priv)
> +{
> + // clang-format off
> + if (self->legacy_tiocsti_setting < 0)
> + SKIP(return,
> + "legacy_tiocsti sysctl not available (kernel < 6.2)");
> +
> + if (self->legacy_tiocsti_setting != 0)
> + SKIP(return,
> + "Test requires restricted mode (legacy_tiocsti=0)");
> + // clang-format on
> +
> + /* Must have CAP_SYS_ADMIN for this test */
> + if (!self->initial_cap_sys_admin)
> + SKIP(return, "Test requires CAP_SYS_ADMIN");
> +
> + ASSERT_TRUE(self->has_tty);
> + ASSERT_TRUE(has_cap_sys_admin());
> +
> + /* In restricted mode, TIOCSTI should succeed with CAP_SYS_ADMIN */
> + EXPECT_EQ(test_tiocsti_injection(self->tty_fd), 0)
> + {
> + TH_LOG("TIOCSTI should succeed in restricted mode with CAP_SYS_ADMIN");
> + }
> +}
> +
> +/* Test TIOCSTI security with file descriptor passing */
> +TEST_F(tty_tiocsti, fd_passing_security)
> +{
> + // clang-format off
> + if (self->legacy_tiocsti_setting < 0)
> + SKIP(return,
> + "legacy_tiocsti sysctl not available (kernel < 6.2)");
> +
> + if (self->legacy_tiocsti_setting != 0)
> + SKIP(return,
> + "Test requires restricted mode (legacy_tiocsti=0)");
> + // clang-format on
> +
> + /* Must start with CAP_SYS_ADMIN */
> + if (!self->initial_cap_sys_admin)
> + SKIP(return, "Test requires initial CAP_SYS_ADMIN");
> +
> + int sockpair[2];
> + pid_t child_pid;
> +
> + ASSERT_EQ(socketpair(AF_UNIX, SOCK_STREAM, 0, sockpair), 0);
> +
> + child_pid = fork();
> + ASSERT_GE(child_pid, 0)
> + TH_LOG("Fork failed: %s", strerror(errno));
> +
> + if (child_pid == 0) {
> + /* Child process - become unprivileged, open TTY, send FD to parent */
> + close(sockpair[0]);
> +
> + TH_LOG("Child: Dropping privileges...");
> +
> + /* Drop to nobody user (loses all capabilities) */
> + drop_to_nobody();
> +
> + /* Verify we no longer have CAP_SYS_ADMIN */
> + if (has_cap_sys_admin()) {
> + TH_LOG("Child: Failed to drop CAP_SYS_ADMIN");
> + _exit(1);
> + }
> +
> + TH_LOG("Child: Opening TTY as unprivileged user...");
> +
> + int unprivileged_tty_fd = open("/dev/tty", O_RDWR);
> +
> + if (unprivileged_tty_fd < 0) {
> + TH_LOG("Child: Cannot open TTY: %s", strerror(errno));
> + _exit(1);
> + }
> +
> + /* Test that we can't use TIOCSTI directly (should fail) */
> +
> + char test_char = 'X';
> +
> + if (ioctl(unprivileged_tty_fd, TIOCSTI, &test_char) == 0) {
> + TH_LOG("Child: ERROR - Direct TIOCSTI succeeded unexpectedly!");
> + close(unprivileged_tty_fd);
> + _exit(1);
> + }
> + TH_LOG("Child: Good - Direct TIOCSTI failed as expected: %s",
> + strerror(errno));
> +
> + /* Send the TTY FD to privileged parent via SCM_RIGHTS */
> + TH_LOG("Child: Sending TTY FD to privileged parent...");
> + if (send_fd_via_socket(sockpair[1], unprivileged_tty_fd) != 0) {
> + TH_LOG("Child: Failed to send FD");
> + close(unprivileged_tty_fd);
> + _exit(1);
> + }
> +
> + close(unprivileged_tty_fd);
> + close(sockpair[1]);
> + _exit(0); /* Child success */
> +
> + } else {
> + /* Parent process - keep CAP_SYS_ADMIN, receive FD, test TIOCSTI */
> + close(sockpair[1]);
> +
> + TH_LOG("Parent: Waiting for TTY FD from unprivileged child...");
> +
> + /* Verify we still have CAP_SYS_ADMIN */
> + ASSERT_TRUE(has_cap_sys_admin());
> +
> + /* Receive the TTY FD from unprivileged child */
> + int received_fd = recv_fd_via_socket(sockpair[0]);
> +
> + ASSERT_GE(received_fd, 0)
> + TH_LOG("Parent: Received FD %d (opened by unprivileged process)",
> + received_fd);
> +
> + /*
> + * VULNERABILITY TEST: Try TIOCSTI with FD opened by unprivileged process
> + * This should FAIL even though parent has CAP_SYS_ADMIN
> + * because the FD was opened by unprivileged process
> + */
> + char attack_char = 'V'; /* V for Vulnerability */
> + int ret = ioctl(received_fd, TIOCSTI, &attack_char);
> +
> + TH_LOG("Parent: Testing TIOCSTI on FD from unprivileged process...");
> + if (ret == 0) {
> + TH_LOG("*** VULNERABILITY DETECTED ***");
> + TH_LOG("Privileged process can use TIOCSTI on unprivileged FD");
> + } else {
> + TH_LOG("TIOCSTI failed on unprivileged FD: %s",
> + strerror(errno));
> + EXPECT_EQ(errno, EPERM);
> + }
> + close(received_fd);
> + close(sockpair[0]);
> +
> + /* Wait for child */
> + int status;
> +
> + ASSERT_EQ(waitpid(child_pid, &status, 0), child_pid);
> + EXPECT_EQ(WEXITSTATUS(status), 0);
> + ASSERT_NE(ret, 0);
> + }
> +}
> +
> +TEST_HARNESS_MAIN
>
> --
> 2.43.0
>
>
© 2016 - 2026 Red Hat, Inc.