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Bug 836215

Summary: sys-libs/glibc-2.33-rXX resulting in SEGFAULTs on Via C7 machines (and others) - please update from upstream
Product: Gentoo Linux Reporter: callmewhatyoulike <black-hole>
Component: Current packagesAssignee: Gentoo Toolchain Maintainers <toolchain>
Status: RESOLVED FIXED    
Severity: major CC: herrtimson, ole+gentoo, sam
Priority: Normal    
Version: unspecified   
Hardware: x86   
OS: Linux   
Whiteboard:
Package list:
Runtime testing required: ---
Bug Depends on:    
Bug Blocks: 768369, 803482    

Description callmewhatyoulike 2022-03-26 19:22:04 UTC
Segfaults with sys-libs/glibc-2.33 on VIA C7 CPUs

I noticed that there are issues with glibc (as far as I see starting from 2.33; currently there was/is =sys-libs/glibc-2.33-r7 installed).
So far I only checked my VIA C7, the bug might occur on similar machines as well (can check SiS 55x, Geode LX, Geode GX, VIA C3 and the likes; a P4-M machine was not affected). 

Virtually everything fails on these machines past login (also SEGFAULTs during init). One is locked out of the system entirely. 
However, chroot compiling e.g. on a "big" amd64 works like a charm. Segfaults only happen on the x86_32 bare metal machine.
(tried different CFLAFGS, didn't help)

Here's a hint
https://www.mail-archive.com/debian-glibc%40lists.debian.org/msg60639.html

It seems to be an upstream bug. 
I know not to file upstream-related bugs. However, it is fixed upstream, as far as I see definitely for 2.35 and I tested the most recent available 2.34-rXX in portage and the system is fine, again. 

So this is more a request: Please update stable glibc on x86(_32) with upstream's backported patches. 
Otherwise any sys-libs/glibc-2.33-* so far will lock people out of their systems once installed.

Reproducible: Always

Steps to Reproduce:
1. install glibc 2.33
2. try virtually anything (e.g. emerge -pv something)
3. instant segfault
Actual Results:  
segfaults

Expected Results:  
no segfaults, smooth operation

I think this might classify as "major" or even more severe since it might lock out users entirely. However, the issue seems to be fixed upstream.
Comment 1 Sam James archtester Gentoo Infrastructure gentoo-dev Security 2022-03-26 19:37:25 UTC
It'd help a lot if you could help identify exactly which patches you think solve the issue.

Also, 2.33-rXX is ambiguous. What's the latest version you've tried? We regularly backport new patches, so -rXX could easily include one which fixes this but you haven't tried yet.

And is 2.34 OK (latest -rN in Gentoo)?
Comment 2 Sam James archtester Gentoo Infrastructure gentoo-dev Security 2022-03-27 01:04:57 UTC
Also, we've just started glibc-2.34 stabilisation.
Comment 3 tt_1 2022-03-27 06:06:34 UTC
I think this is https://sourceware.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=28784

backported with 0076-x86-use-default-cache-size-if-it-cannot-be-determine.patch and all fixed in glibc-2.33-r13 

please confirm, thanks
Comment 4 callmewhatyoulike 2022-03-27 14:34:41 UTC
Yes, that should be the patch / fix.
(Sorry for being late. :) )

explaining sys-libs/glibc-2.33-rXX 
So far I tried up to 2.33-r7, but I remember that the problem likely occured on an earlier revision state. It was just that I thought it is my fault (though I tend to use rather sane CFLAGs).
Thus, I can't remember exactly when I did the update and on which version exactly the segfaults started. 
I simply found the time last week to dig deeper and found out that other people have a similar problem with glibc 2.33 and certain CPUs. 

The sys-libs/glibc-2.34-r10 release that I use now seems to work (no deep testing, but no more instant segfaults on calling emerge).
Comment 5 callmewhatyoulike 2022-03-27 15:10:20 UTC
It seems the ebuild refuses any downgrades on glibc so I can't try
=sys-libs/glibc-2.33-r13 right now (just became available as stable in portage), I might try to look for some old hard disk with a generic (i686) Gentoo installation and try that one in the C7 with an upgraded -r13 glibc.
Comment 6 Sam James archtester Gentoo Infrastructure gentoo-dev Security 2022-03-27 15:26:38 UTC
On mobile so I'll reply properly later but if 2.34-r10 is good, no need for any action on your part -- we're stabling 2.34 now and will discontinue the 2.33 branch then, so we're all good!

A fixed version of 2.33 was stabled last night too.
Comment 7 callmewhatyoulike 2022-03-28 13:20:00 UTC
Great to read, thanks!

I confirm that =sys-libs/glibc-2.33-r13 seems to work nicely. Tested on two C7 boards.
(C3 not yet tested, this is i586 and I had only an i686 compiled one at hand, but I assume the error should be gone.)