evm_inode_setattr(9)

💅 evm_inode_setattr(9) — a Kernel API Manual moment

ok so bestie, welcome to evm_inode_setattr(9) from the Kernel API Manual — yes that's the manual name, and yes it sounds fancy, but honestly this one's a little bouncer standing at the door of your file attributes. Let me tell you everything, no cap. 🫶

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✨ SYNOPSIS ✨

int evm_inode_setattr (struct mnt_idmap *idmap , struct dentry *dentry ,
struct iattr *attr );

like, three args, returns an int, it's giving "small function, big responsibility" energy 💅

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🎀 ARGUMENTS 🎀

• idmap — the idmap of the mount. yeah, the whole mount's mapping situation.
• dentry — a pointer to the dentry that's getting affected. the actual file-ish thing in question 🦋
• attr — an iattr structure holding the new file attributes. i.e. the new fit it's trying to put on ✨

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🌸 DESCRIPTION 🌸

okay so here's the vibe: this function permits updating file attributes when files have a valid EVM signature. slay. that's the green light. 💚

but — and this is the important part, don't skip it — there's one exception: not when the file has an immutable portable signature. in that case? no update. periodt. 🔥

so tl;dr: valid EVM signature = you're in. immutable portable signature = absolutely not, the door stays closed. 😭

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👑 SEE ALSO 👑

• Kernel file ./security/integrity/evm/evm_main.c — the source file, go read it iykyk 📖
• evm_read_protected_xattrs(9)
• evm_verifyxattr(9)
• evm_inode_setxattr(9)
• evm_inode_removexattr(9)
• evm_inode_set_acl(9)
• evm_inode_remove_acl(9)
• evm_metadata_changed(9)
• evm_revalidate_status(9)
• evm_fix_hmac(9)
• evm_inode_post_setxattr(9)
• evm_inode_post_set_acl(9)
• evm_inode_post_removexattr(9)
• evm_inode_post_remove_acl(9)
• evm_inode_post_setattr(9)

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bestie this is the whole EVM extended-attribute friend group and they ALL showed up to the party. don't leave without saying hi to every single one 🧚💜

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and that's the page!! mwah 💋 sign-off time: this lil beauty comes from ./security/integrity/evm and it's dated October 2026 — iconic, timeless, no notes. 🌈⭐🍓