Stop dm-crypt device when an encrypted instance is suspended/stopped¶
https://blueprints.launchpad.net/nova/+spec/stop-dmcrypt-on-suspend
Disconnect the dm-crypt device from encrypted LVM volume when an instance with encrypted LVM ephemeral storage is suspended or powered off.
Problem description¶
The recently introduced LVM ephemeral storage encryption features secures user data at rest. Current implementation makes user data unreadable after the instance has been terminated. While the instance is active (e.g., running, paused, suspended or powered off), on the compute host the data is readable only by the super-user. This protection against unauthorized access can be strengthened further by disconnecting the dm-crypt device when an instance is suspended or powered off and flushing the encryption key from memory. The dm-crypt device is what allows the encrypted data to be accessed in the clear so disconnecting it will render the data unreadable by anyone without the key.
Use Cases¶
An encrypted instance operating on sensitive data is stopped but not destroyed – the work to be resumed later.
Proposed change¶
The change will add code to stop the dm-crypt device and flush the key in libvirt.driver.power_off() and libvirt.driver.suspend() and code to retrieve instance ephemeral encryption key and restart the dm-crypt device in libvirt.driver.power_on() and libvirt.driver.resume().
Alternatives¶
There is no real alternative.
Data model impact¶
None
REST API impact¶
None
Security impact¶
User data will be inaccessible to anyone while the instance is powered off or suspended.
Notifications impact¶
None
Other end user impact¶
None
Performance Impact¶
The power on and resume operations will be marginally slower for encrypted instances.
Other deployer impact¶
None
Developer impact¶
None
Implementation¶
Assignee(s)¶
- Primary assignee:
dane-fichter (Dane Fichter)
Work Items¶
Add dm-crypt stop/restart functionality to suspend()/resume().
Add dm-crypt stop/restart functionality to power_off()/power_on().
Dependencies¶
None
Testing¶
Unit tests will be written to verify correct operation of the proposed feature.
Documentation Impact¶
The extension of data-at-rest security to powered off and suspended instances should be mentioned in OpenStack Security Guide.
References¶
None
