MIR reviewer’s template¶
This section is a guideline for the reviewer as they review an MIR bug. The intent is to answer the primary question:
Will this package be well maintained in main?
Usage follows How to use MIR templates.
By default, statements are in the OK section.
Issues to be addressed should go to the Problem: sections (and briefly the [Summary] at the top of the template).
1RULE: Since we sometimes have many such posts on one bug, in case multiple
2RULE: packages are associated, clearly state which one this is for.
3TODO: Review for Source Package: TBDSRC
4
5[Summary]
6TODO: WRITE - TBD The essence of the review result from the MIR POV
7TODO-A: MIR team ACK
8TODO-B: MIR team NACK
9TODO-C: MIR team ACK under the constraint to resolve the below listed
10TODO-C: required TODOs and as much as possible having a look at the
11TODO-C: recommended TODOs.
12TODO-A: This does need a security review, so I'll assign ubuntu-security
13TODO-B: This does not need a security review
14TODO: List of specific binary packages to be promoted to main: TBD
15TODO: Specific binary packages built, but NOT to be promoted to main: TBD
16
17Notes:
18TODO: - add todos, issues or special cases to discuss
19Required TODOs:
20TODO: - TBD (Please add them numbered for later reference)
21Recommended TODOs:
22RULE: - Does it have a team bug subscriber? (This is not a blocker for a MIR
23RULE: team ACK, but needs to be provided before the package can be promoted
24RULE: by an AA)
25TODO: - The package should get a team bug subscriber before being promoted
26TODO: - TBD (Please add them numbered for later reference)
27
28[Rationale, Duplication and Ownership]
29RULE: One easy way to avoid the burden of maintaining the package is to not
30RULE: use it in the first place! If a package is pulling in some random jpeg
31RULE: parsing library that needs a MIR, maybe it makes more sense to patch the
32RULE: package to just use libjpeg instead. Keep an eye out for duplicated
33RULE: functionality in main, since that makes bug fixing and security
34RULE: reviewing that much harder.
35RULE: Duplicates can be found by searching packages in "main", e.g. using:
36RULE: $ apt list "?not(?section(/))" | grep <SEARCH_TERM>
37RULE: and/or by checking for alternatives on https://www.libhunt.com/ or
38RULE: similar databases.
39RULE: Sometimes duplicates are not too obvious, but can often be found by
40RULE: searching through full descriptions, provides and all that. If the above
41RULE: check didn't already find a duplicate then this check can be done via the
42RULE: following steps:
43RULE: $ apt-cache search <SEARCH_TERM>
44RULE: In the returned list pick anything that looks suspicious by name or
45RULE: description and check if any of them is in main:
46RULE: $ rmadison -c main {all,packages,that,look,like,duplicates}
47RULE: If any of them are reported to be in main check in detail if they cover
48RULE: indeed the same use case as the package this MIR is about.
49TODO: There is no other package in main providing the same functionality.
50RULE: No matter how useful a rationale is and how unique a package might be
51RULE: it will need an owning team that is willing and able to spend the time
52RULE: to maintain it well for the benefit of all Ubuntu users and use cases.
53RULE: If someone submitted an MIR on behalf of another team and suggested them
54RULE: to own it, we expect someone representing that to be owning team to
55RULE: comment on the bug and acknowledge that they are ok to own that package
56RULE: (to avoid review and process effort being spent only to then
57RULE: immediately be cancelled by a lack of ownership).
58TODO: A team is committed to own long term maintenance of this package.
59RULE: In the template to submit cases we ask the reporter to state a rationale
60RULE: why this should be considered. But a MIR team member needs to
61RULE: try to judge if this rationale is good for Ubuntu and its users.
62RULE: We've also seen requests that thought they need to be in main, but that
63RULE: was based on wrong assumptions, ensure the requester understands what and
64RULE: why they request a main inclusion when judging if the rationale is valid.
65TODO: The rationale given in the report seems valid and useful for Ubuntu
66RULE: If any of the above checks in this section the MIR team can decide to
67RULE: skip the rest of the check until these basic questions are resolved.
68
69[Dependencies]
70OK:
71TODO: - no other Dependencies to MIR due to this
72TODO: - SRCPKG checked with `check-mir`
73TODO: - all dependencies can be found in `seeded-in-ubuntu` (already in main)
74TODO: - none of the (potentially auto-generated) dependencies (Depends
75TODO: and Recommends) that are present after build are not in main
76TODO: - no -dev/-debug/-doc packages that need exclusion
77TODO: - No dependencies in main that are only superficially tested requiring
78TODO: more tests now.
79
80TODO-A: Problems:
81TODO-A: - TBD
82TODO-B: Problems: None
83
84[Embedded sources and static linking]
85RULE: - Embedding a library source increases the maintenance burden of a package
86RULE: since that source needs to be maintained separately from the source in
87RULE: the Ubuntu archive. If a source embeds another package, in general the
88RULE: embedded package should not be used and the packaging should be modified
89RULE: to use the Ubuntu archive version. When this is not possible, the
90RULE: security team must agree to using the embedded source.
91RULE: - Similarly, when a binary from one source package statically links to
92RULE: libraries from another source package from the archive, when those
93RULE: libraries are updated the statically linked binaries must be rebuilt
94RULE: with the updated libraries to receive the fix, which increases the
95RULE: maintenance burden. For this reason, static linking in archive builds
96RULE: is discouraged unless static linking is required for the package in
97RULE: question to function correctly (e.g. an integrity scanner).
98RULE: - If debian/control uses `Built-Using` or `Static-Built-Using:` it may
99RULE: indicate static linking
100RULE: which should be discouraged (except golang/rust, see below)
101RULE: - Rust - toolchain and dh tools are still changing a lot. Currently it
102RULE: is expected to only list the rust toolchain in `Built-Using`.
103RULE: the remaining (currently vendored) dependencies shall be tracked
104RULE: in a Cargo.lock file
105RULE: - Go - here `Built-Using` is expected to only contain the go
106RULE: toolchain used to build it. Additional packaged dependencies
107RULE: will be tracked in `Static-Built-Using:` automatically.
108RULE: The superset of packaged and vendored (if used) dependencies shall be
109RULE: tracked in a go.sum file (go.mod are direct dependencies, go.sum
110RULE: covers checksum content for direct and indirect dependencies. This
111RULE: should be present for reproducible builds already which involve
112RULE: having a go.sum.
113RULE: We have let go packages into main before this existed, so we have
114RULE: sub-optimal prior-art. But down the road - if vendoring is used - we
115RULE: want to switch to require that once the toolchain is ready to
116RULE: create it accordingly.
117
118OK:
119TODO: - no embedded source present
120TODO: - no static linking
121TODO: - does not have unexpected Built-Using entries
122
123RULE: Golang
124RULE: - golang 1.4 packages and earlier could only statically compile their
125RULE: binaries. golang 1.5 in Ubuntu 16.10 introduced `-buildmode=shared`
126RULE: to build shared libraries and `-linkshared` to dynamically link against
127RULE: shared libraries. In general, statically compiled binaries are not
128RULE: suitable for the Ubuntu archive because they increase the maintenance
129RULE: burden significantly. As such, from Ubuntu 16.10 and later, golang
130RULE: packages in main were expected to be built with shared
131RULE: libraries.
132RULE: - Evaluating cost/benefits while considering the ABI instability of golang
133RULE: libraries during this period, the MIR team decided for 17.10 and later
134RULE: to allow static builds of golang packages in main, so long as the number
135RULE: of these packages remains low and they follow the guidelines below:
136RULE: - golang applications in main are expected:
137RULE: 1. to build using `golang-*-dev` packages from the Ubuntu archive
138RULE: creating `Built-Using` in debian/control. This requirement ensures
139RULE: that the security team is able to track security issues for all
140RULE: affected static binary packages
141RULE: 2. not to build any vendored (i.e. embedded) code in the source
142RULE: package whose binaries appear in the archive (e.g. test code is
143RULE: ok) without clear justification from the requesting team and
144RULE: approval from the security team. This requirement ensures that
145RULE: the security team is able to track security issues for all
146RULE: affected source packages.
147RULE: 3. only build against approved vendored sources (when applicable).
148RULE: If new versions add new components or dependencies in subsequent
149RULE: Ubuntu uploads this will need re-evaluation by the security
150RULE: team. This requirement ensures that the security team is able
151RULE: to track security issues for all affected source packages.
152RULE: - The intended outcomes from the above requirements (if not vendored) are
153RULE: for packages in main to standardize on particular versions of
154RULE: `golang-*-dev` packages (when possible) with the requesting team
155RULE: adjusting their packaging as necessary, all teams responsible for
156RULE: golang packages coordinating on transitions and the requesting team
157RULE: occasionally creating new `golang-*-dev` packages as agreed to in the
158RULE: MIR bug (upstreaming to Debian whenever possible).
159RULE: - As a practical matter, golang/rust source packages in main are not
160RULE: required to remove unused embedded code copies.
161RULE: - If based on the above options it's a statically compiled golang package:
162RULE: - Does the package use dh-golang (if not, suggest dh-make-golang to
163RULE: create the package)?
164RULE: - Does debian/control use `Built-Using: ${misc:Built-Using}` for each
165RULE: non'-dev' binary package (importantly, golang-*-dev packages only
166RULE: ship source files so don't need Built-Using)?
167RULE: - Does the package follow Debian Go packaging guidelines?
168RULE: (See: https://go-team.pages.debian.net/packaging.html)
169RULE: - When it is infeasible to comply with this policy, the justification,
170RULE: discussion and approval should all be clearly represented in the bug.
171
172OK:
173TODO-A: - not a go package, no extra constraints to consider in that regard
174TODO-B: - Go Package that follows the Debian Go packaging guidelines
175
176TODO-A: - vendoring is used, but the reasoning is sufficiently explained
177TODO-B: - No vendoring used, all Built-Using are in main
178
179TODO-A: - golang: shared builds
180TODO-B: - golang: static builds are used, the team confirmed their commitment
181TODO-B: to the additional responsibilities implied by static builds.
182
183TODO-A: - not a rust package, no extra constraints to consider in that regard
184TODO-B: - Rust package that has all dependencies vendored. It does neither
185TODO-B: have *Built-Using (after build). Nor does the build log indicate
186TODO-B: built-in sources that are missed to be reported as Built-Using.
187
188TODO: - rust package using dh_cargo (dh ... --buildsystem cargo)
189
190TODO-A: - Includes vendored code, the package has documented how to refresh this
191TODO-A: code at <TBD>
192TODO-B: - Does not include vendored code
193
194TODO-A: Problems:
195TODO-A: - TBD
196TODO-B: Problems: None
197
198[Security]
199RULE: - Determine if the package may have security implications or history.
200RULE: Err on the side of caution.
201RULE: - If the package is security sensitive, you should review as much as you
202RULE: can and then assign to the ubuntu-security team. The bug will then be
203RULE: added to the prioritized list of MIR security reviews.
204RULE: - We do not block on, but want to recommend using enhanced isolation
205RULE: features, things like systemd isolation, apparmor and such shall at
206RULE: least have gotten a thought if they would help to mitigate risks in
207RULE: this case. If we spot a case where we think it should be either easy or
208RULE: very beneficial to use such features we should add them to recommended
209RULE: tasks.
210
211OK:
212TODO: - history of CVEs does not look concerning
213TODO: - does not run a daemon as root
214TODO: - does not use webkit1,2
215TODO: - does not use lib*v8 directly
216TODO: - does not parse data formats (files [images, video, audio,
217TODO: xml, json, asn.1], network packets, structures, ...) from
218TODO: an untrusted source.
219TODO: - does not expose any external endpoint (port/socket/... or similar)
220TODO: - does not process arbitrary web content
221TODO: - does not use centralized online accounts
222TODO: - does not integrate arbitrary javascript into the desktop
223TODO: - does not deal with system authentication (eg, pam), etc)
224TODO: - does not deal with security attestation (secure boot, tpm, signatures)
225TODO: - does not deal with cryptography (en-/decryption, certificates,
226TODO: signing, ...)
227TODO: - this makes appropriate (for its exposure) use of established risk
228TODO: mitigation features (dropping permissions, using temporary environments,
229TODO: restricted users/groups, seccomp, systemd isolation features,
230TODO: apparmor, ...)
231
232TODO-A: Problems:
233TODO-A: - TBD
234TODO-B: Problems: None
235
236[Common blockers]
237RULE: - There are plenty of testing requirements, hopefully already resolved
238RULE: by the reporter upfront, see "Quality assurance - testing" section of
239RULE: the Main Inclusion requirements
240RULE: - The MIR process shall ensure quality and maintainability, due to that
241RULE: the expectations to that are quite high, but especially in cases where
242RULE: special HW is needed that can be a hard to achieve which bloats the
243RULE: options below, it is a balance or compromise we need to strike between
244RULE: giving such cases a pass too easily and making them impossible.
245RULE: Please read (to keep this short) for more background:
246RULE: https://github.com/canonical/ubuntu-mir/issues/30
247
248OK:
249TODO: - does not FTBFS currently
250TODO: - does have a test suite that runs at build time
251TODO: - test suite fails will fail the build upon error.
252TODO: - does have a non-trivial test suite that runs as autopkgtest
253TODO-A: - This does seem to need special HW for build or test so it can't be
254TODO-A: automatic at build or autopkgtest time. But as outlined
255TODO-A: by the requester in [Quality assurance - testing] there:
256TODO-A1: - is hardware and a test plan or code
257TODO-A2: - are partner engagements and a test plan or code
258TODO-A3: - is community support to test this for Ubuntu
259TODO-A4: - a simulator and a test plan or code
260TODO-A5: - is upstream support to test this for Ubuntu
261TODO-A6: - an agreement with the manufacturer to test this for Ubuntu
262TODO-A7: - an agreement with solutions-qa to be able to test this for Ubuntu
263TODO-A8: - an agreement with another team to be able to test this for Ubuntu
264TODO-B: - This does not need special HW for build or test
265TODO-C: - This does need special HW for thorough testing, but all options to
266TODO-C: get this covered have been exhausted and based on demonstration of
267TODO-C: enough investigation and proof of why there is currently no other
268TODO-C: option it is accepted as-is as a compromise.
269TODO-C: The owning team is committed and aware of the implications for
270TODO-C: ongoing maintenance.
271TODO: - if a non-trivial test on this level does not make sense (the lib alone
272TODO: is only doing rather simple things), is the overall solution (app+libs)
273TODO: extensively covered i.e. via end to end autopkgtest ?
274TODO: - no new python2 dependency
275TODO: - Python package, but using dh_python
276TODO: - Go package, but using dh-golang
277
278TODO-A: Problems:
279TODO-A: - TBD
280TODO-B: Problems: None
281
282[Packaging red flags]
283RULE: - Does Ubuntu carry a non necessary delta?
284RULE: - If it's a library, does it either have a symbols file or use an empty
285RULE: argument to dh_makeshlibs -V? (pass such a patch on to Debian, but
286RULE: don't block on it).
287RULE: Note that for C++, see https://wiki.ubuntu.com/DailyRelease/FAQ
288RULE: for a method to demangle C++ symbols files.
289RULE: - Does it have a watch file? (If relevant, e.g. non-native)
290RULE: - Is its update history slow or sporadic?
291RULE: - Is the current release packaged?
292RULE: - Will entering main make it harder for the people currently keeping it
293RULE: up to date? (i.e. are they only MOTUs?)
294RULE: - Lintian warnings
295RULE: - Is debian/rules a mess? Ideally it uses dh and overrides to make it as
296RULE: tiny as possible.
297RULE: - If a package shall be promoted it should NOT be on the lto-disabled
298RULE: list, but the fix, or the workaround should be directly in the package
299RULE: to enforce maintainer awareness and make it more visible to anyone
300RULE: looking at the package - see https://wiki.ubuntu.com/ToolChain/LTO.
301
302OK:
303TODO-A: - Ubuntu does not carry a delta
304TODO-B: - Ubuntu does carry a delta, but it is reasonable and maintenance under
305TODO-B: control
306TODO-A: - symbols tracking is in place.
307TODO-B: - For c++ libraries - symbols tracking isn't in place but the owning
308TODO-B: team tried to set it up and came back with a reasonable rationale
309TODO-B: of why it isn't practical to do for the package.
310TODO-B: If symbols tracking isn't used then it's recommended to investigate
311TODO-B: using an alternative like abigail or abi-compliance-check in CI
312TODO-B: or bumping SOVER with every package update.
313TODO-C: - symbols tracking not applicable for this kind of code.
314TODO-A: - debian/watch is present and looks ok (if needed, e.g. non-native)
315TODO-B: - debian/watch is not present but also not needed (e.g. native)
316TODO: - Upstream update history is (good/slow/sporadic)
317TODO: - Debian/Ubuntu update history is (good/slow/sporadic)
318TODO: - the current release is packaged
319TODO: - promoting this does not seem to cause issues for MOTUs that so far
320TODO: maintained the package
321TODO: - no massive Lintian warnings
322TODO: - debian/rules is rather clean
323TODO: - It is not on the lto-disabled list
324RULE: (fix, or the workaround should be directly in the package,
325RULE: see https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/lto-disabled-list)
326
327TODO-A: Problems:
328TODO-A: - TBD
329TODO-B: Problems: None
330
331[Upstream red flags]
332RULE: flag common issues:
333RULE: - if you see anything else odd, speak up and ask for clarification
334
335OK:
336TODO: - no Errors/warnings during the build
337TODO-A: - no incautious use of malloc/sprintf (as far as we can check it)
338TODO-B: - no incautious use of malloc/sprintf (the language has no direct MM)
339TODO: - no use of sudo, gksu, pkexec, or LD_LIBRARY_PATH (usage is OK inside
340TODO: tests)
341TODO: - no use of user 'nobody' outside of tests
342RULE: (consider at least `grep -Hrn nobody` for it
343RULE: and run `find . -user nobody` in source and built binaries)
344TODO: - no use of setuid / setgid
345RULE: (consider at least `grep -Hrn -e setuid -e setgid` for it
346RULE: and run `find . \( -perm -4000 -o -perm -2000 \)` in source and
347RULE: built binaries)
348TODO: - use of setuid, but ok because TBD (prefer systemd to set those
349TODO: for services)
350TODO: - no important open bugs (crashers, etc) in Debian or Ubuntu
351RULE: Old dependencies, partially even still in main we want to get rid of over
352RULE: time. While they may be still there, we'd not want to add new
353RULE: dependencies. webkit = Web content engine library for GTK,
354RULE: qtwebkit = Web content engine library for Qt, libseed = GObject JavaScript
355RULE: bindings for the webkit engine
356TODO: - no dependency on webkit, qtwebkit or libseed
357TODO-A: - not part of the UI for extra checks
358TODO-B: - part of the UI, desktop file is ok
359TODO-A: - no translation present, but none needed for this case (user visible)?
360TODO-B: - translation present
361
362TODO-A: Problems:
363TODO-A: - TBD
364TODO-B: Problems: None