get_binfmt_handler(9)

💅 get_binfmt_handler(9) — the kernel API manual, but make it make sense

okay bestie, so this is get_binfmt_handler from the Kernel API Manual, and honestly? it's giving "small function, big responsibilities." let's get into it 🎀

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✨ NAME ✨

get_binfmt_handler — the little guy that tries to find a binary type handler 🕵️‍♀️

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🌸 SYNOPSIS 🌸

struct binfmt_misc_entry * get_binfmt_handler (struct binfmt_misc *misc
, struct linux_binprm *bprm );

look at that signature. gorgeous. no cap. ✨

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🦋 ARGUMENTS 🦋

• misc — the handle to your binfmt_misc instance. like, your whole situation. your context. your main character. 💜
• bprm — the binary we're out here hunting a handler for. this is the one we're shopping for, basically. 🛍️

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💖 DESCRIPTION 💖

so the whole vibe: we try to find a binfmt handler for the binary type. that's it, that's the job.

and if one is found? it gets returned with a reference protecting it against removal via bm_{entry,status}_write. 🫶 so while you're holding it, nobody can just snatch it away and delete it out from under you. it's like holding someone's hand in a crowd so you don't lose them. iconic behavior, honestly.

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⭐ RETURN ⭐

• 🎀 binary type list entry — on success (slay)
• 💀 NULL — on failure (we move)

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🌈 SEE ALSO 🌈

the whole friend group, fr fr — and also the kernel file ./fs/binfmt_misc.c:

• struct binfmt_misc_flag(9)
• search_binfmt_handler(9)
• binfmt_misc_find_interp(9)
• entry_attach_interpreter(9)
• put_binfmt_handler(9)
• current_binfmt_misc(9)
• entry_select_interpreter(9)
• entry_invocation_flags(9)
• entry_open_interpreter(9)
• build_interp_argv(9)
• i_binfmt_misc(9)
• bm_evict_inode(9)
• unlink_binfmt_handler(9)
• remove_binfmt_handler(9)
• bm_unlink(9)
• bm_entry_add_interp(9)

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okay that's the whole page, no notes. 💅 huge shoutout to ./fs and the October 2026 crew for shipping this one — you ate. periodt. 🍓✨