random: add a config option to trust the CPU's hwrng
This gives the user building their own kernel (or a Linux
distribution) the option of deciding whether or not to trust the CPU's
hardware random number generator (e.g., RDRAND for x86 CPU's) as being
correctly implemented and not having a back door introduced (perhaps
courtesy of a Nation State's law enforcement or intelligence
agencies).
This will prevent getrandom(2) from blocking, if there is a
willingness to trust the CPU manufacturer.
Signed-off-by: Theodore Ts'o <tytso@mit.edu>
diff --git a/drivers/char/Kconfig b/drivers/char/Kconfig
index 212f447..ce277ee 100644
--- a/drivers/char/Kconfig
+++ b/drivers/char/Kconfig
@@ -554,3 +554,17 @@
endmenu
+config RANDOM_TRUST_CPU
+ bool "Trust the CPU manufacturer to initialize Linux's CRNG"
+ depends on X86 || S390 || PPC
+ default n
+ help
+ Assume that CPU manufacturer (e.g., Intel or AMD for RDSEED or
+ RDRAND, IBM for the S390 and Power PC architectures) is trustworthy
+ for the purposes of initializing Linux's CRNG. Since this is not
+ something that can be independently audited, this amounts to trusting
+ that CPU manufacturer (perhaps with the insistence or mandate
+ of a Nation State's intelligence or law enforcement agencies)
+ has not installed a hidden back door to compromise the CPU's
+ random number generation facilities.
+