ppp_read() and ppp_poll() can be called concurrently with ppp_ioctl().
In this case, ppp_ioctl() might call ppp_ccp_closed(), which may update
ppp->flags while ppp_read() or ppp_poll() is reading it.
The update done by ppp_ccp_closed() isn't atomic due to the bit mask
operation ('ppp->flags &= ~(SC_CCP_OPEN | SC_CCP_UP)'), so concurrent
readers might get transient values.
Reading incorrect ppp->flags may disturb the 'ppp->flags & SC_LOOP_TRAFFIC'
test in ppp_read() and ppp_poll(), which in turn can lead to improper
decision on whether the PPP unit file is ready for reading or not.

Since ppp_ccp_closed() is protected by the Rx and Tx locks (with
ppp_lock()), taking the Rx lock is enough for ppp_read() and ppp_poll()
to guarantee that ppp_ccp_closed() won't update ppp->flags
concurrently.

The same reasoning applies to ppp->n_channels. The 'n_channels' field
can also be written to concurrently by ppp_ioctl() (through
ppp_connect_channel() or ppp_disconnect_channel()). These writes aren't
atomic (simple increment/decrement), but are protected by both the Rx
and Tx locks (like in the ppp->flags case). So holding the Rx lock
before reading ppp->n_channels also prevents concurrent writes.
Signed-off-by: Guillaume Nault <g.nault@alphalink.fr>
Signed-off-by: David S. Miller <davem@davemloft.net>