VirtualBox

Ticket #3104 (closed defect: fixed)

Opened 10 months ago

Last modified 8 months ago

Updating Linux host software causes host OS crash => Fixed in SVN

Reported by: CChrisA Assigned to:
Priority: critical Component: installer
Version: VirtualBox 2.1.2 Keywords: .deb auto install host crash
Cc: Guest type: other
Host type: Linux

Description

I am currently automatically picking up updates from you Debian repositories.

When the latest update arrived, it attempted to recompile its kernel module and then replace the module whilst my m/chine was up and there were active VMs. This caused a crash of the host system. (Total freeze, reset button required.) Fortunately no important data was lost, though minor use of backups was required.

This is essentially a show stopper as an automated process can, without warning, knock over the host machine.

Change History

(follow-up: ↓ 2 ) 2009-01-22 16:30:10 changed by frank

  • guest changed from Windows to other.

The question is how this can happen. If you have running VMs then it is normally not possible to remove the kernel modules. Did you enable something like CONFIG_MODULE_FORCE_LOAD in your kernel config?

(in reply to: ↑ 1 ) 2009-01-23 11:25:43 changed by CChrisA

Good point. Am running a stock debian kernel. config snip follows:

CONFIG_MODULES=y CONFIG_MODULE_FORCE_LOAD=y CONFIG_MODULE_UNLOAD=y CONFIG_MODULE_FORCE_UNLOAD=y

Perhaps you could check to see if there are any processes running? Will also be raising bug over at debian.

2009-01-23 21:23:21 changed by CChrisA

I have had a look at the actual .deb package. I recall it barreling through without actually asking if it could replace the kernel, though I can't find where it would insist on that in the source. Its possible that it is using an old question answer regarding whether or not it should build a module rather than asking again if its OK to chance its luck.

Many people run aptitude update/safe-upgrade regularly for patches and fixes. It needs to clearly signal its intentions so there are no mishaps.

2009-03-20 15:36:06 changed by frank

  • summary changed from Updating Linux host software causes host OS crash to Updating Linux host software causes host OS crash => Fixed in SVN.

Fixed in SVN. Actually we didn't properly lock the kernel module as long as an internal network was active. See r17344 + r17375.

2009-04-08 14:23:54 changed by frank

  • status changed from new to closed.
  • resolution set to fixed.

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