diff mbox series

[v8,6/7] mm: rust: add VmAreaNew

Message ID 20241120-vma-v8-6-eb31425da66b@google.com (mailing list archive)
State New
Headers show
Series Rust support for mm_struct, vm_area_struct, and mmap | expand

Commit Message

Alice Ryhl Nov. 20, 2024, 2:50 p.m. UTC
When setting up a new vma in an mmap call, you have a bunch of extra
permissions that you normally don't have. This introduces a new
VmAreaNew type that is used for this case.

To avoid setting invalid flag values, the methods for clearing
VM_MAYWRITE and similar involve a check of VM_WRITE, and return an error
if VM_WRITE is set. Trying to use `try_clear_maywrite` without checking
the return value results in a compilation error because the `Result`
type is marked #[must_use].

For now, there's only a method for VM_MIXEDMAP and not VM_PFNMAP. When
we add a VM_PFNMAP method, we will need some way to prevent you from
setting both VM_MIXEDMAP and VM_PFNMAP on the same vma.

Signed-off-by: Alice Ryhl <aliceryhl@google.com>
---
 rust/kernel/mm/virt.rs | 169 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++-
 1 file changed, 168 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-)

Comments

Lorenzo Stoakes Nov. 20, 2024, 8:02 p.m. UTC | #1
On Wed, Nov 20, 2024 at 02:50:00PM +0000, Alice Ryhl wrote:
> When setting up a new vma in an mmap call, you have a bunch of extra
> permissions that you normally don't have. This introduces a new
> VmAreaNew type that is used for this case.

Hm I'm confused by what you mean here. What permissions do you mean?

Is this to abstract a VMA as passed by f_op->mmap()? I think it would be
better to explicitly say this if so.

>
> To avoid setting invalid flag values, the methods for clearing
> VM_MAYWRITE and similar involve a check of VM_WRITE, and return an error
> if VM_WRITE is set. Trying to use `try_clear_maywrite` without checking
> the return value results in a compilation error because the `Result`
> type is marked #[must_use].

This is nice.

Though note that, it is explicitly not permitted to permit writability for
a VMA that previously had it disallowed, and we explicitly WARN_ON() this
now. Concretely that means a VMA where !(vma->vm_flags & VM_MAYWRITE), you
must not vma->vm_flags |= VM_MAYWRITE.

>
> For now, there's only a method for VM_MIXEDMAP and not VM_PFNMAP. When
> we add a VM_PFNMAP method, we will need some way to prevent you from
> setting both VM_MIXEDMAP and VM_PFNMAP on the same vma.

Yes this would be unwise.

An aside here - really you should _only_ change flags in this hook (perhaps
of course also initialising vma->vm_private_data state), trying to change
anything _core_ here would be deeply dangerous.

We are far too permissive with this right now, and it's something we want
to try ideally to limit in the future.

>
> Signed-off-by: Alice Ryhl <aliceryhl@google.com>
> ---
>  rust/kernel/mm/virt.rs | 169 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++-
>  1 file changed, 168 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-)
>
> diff --git a/rust/kernel/mm/virt.rs b/rust/kernel/mm/virt.rs
> index de7f2338810a..22aff8e77854 100644
> --- a/rust/kernel/mm/virt.rs
> +++ b/rust/kernel/mm/virt.rs
> @@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
>
>  use crate::{
>      bindings,
> -    error::{to_result, Result},
> +    error::{code::EINVAL, to_result, Result},
>      page::Page,
>      types::Opaque,
>  };
> @@ -148,6 +148,173 @@ pub fn vm_insert_page(&self, address: usize, page: &Page) -> Result {
>      }
>  }
>
> +/// A builder for setting up a vma in an `mmap` call.

Would be better to explicitly reference the struct file_operations->mmap()
hook and to say that we should only be updating flags and vm_private_data
here (though perhaps not worth mentioning _that_ if not explicitly exposed
by your interface).

I'm guessing fields are, unless a setter/builder is established, immutable?

> +///
> +/// # Invariants
> +///
> +/// For the duration of 'a, the referenced vma must be undergoing initialization.
> +pub struct VmAreaNew {
> +    vma: VmAreaRef,
> +}
> +
> +// Make all `VmAreaRef` methods available on `VmAreaNew`.
> +impl Deref for VmAreaNew {
> +    type Target = VmAreaRef;
> +
> +    #[inline]
> +    fn deref(&self) -> &VmAreaRef {
> +        &self.vma
> +    }
> +}
> +
> +impl VmAreaNew {
> +    /// Access a virtual memory area given a raw pointer.
> +    ///
> +    /// # Safety
> +    ///
> +    /// Callers must ensure that `vma` is undergoing initial vma setup for the duration of 'a.
> +    #[inline]
> +    pub unsafe fn from_raw<'a>(vma: *const bindings::vm_area_struct) -> &'a Self {
> +        // SAFETY: The caller ensures that the invariants are satisfied for the duration of 'a.
> +        unsafe { &*vma.cast() }
> +    }
> +
> +    /// Internal method for updating the vma flags.
> +    ///
> +    /// # Safety
> +    ///
> +    /// This must not be used to set the flags to an invalid value.
> +    #[inline]
> +    unsafe fn update_flags(&self, set: vm_flags_t, unset: vm_flags_t) {
> +        let mut flags = self.flags();
> +        flags |= set;
> +        flags &= !unset;
> +
> +        // SAFETY: This is not a data race: the vma is undergoing initial setup, so it's not yet
> +        // shared. Additionally, `VmAreaNew` is `!Sync`, so it cannot be used to write in parallel.
> +        // The caller promises that this does not set the flags to an invalid value.
> +        unsafe { (*self.as_ptr()).__bindgen_anon_2.vm_flags = flags };

Hm not sure if this is correct. We explicitly maintain a union in struct vm_area_struct as:

	union {
		const vm_flags_t vm_flags;
		vm_flags_t __private __vm_flags;
	};

Where vma->vm_flags is const, and then use helpers like vm_flags_init() to
set them, which also do things like assert locks (though not in the init
case, of course).

So erally we should at least be updating __vm_flags here, though I'm not
sure how bindgen treats it?

> +    }
> +
> +    /// Set the `VM_MIXEDMAP` flag on this vma.
> +    ///
> +    /// This enables the vma to contain both `struct page` and pure PFN pages. Returns a reference
> +    /// that can be used to call `vm_insert_page` on the vma.
> +    #[inline]
> +    pub fn set_mixedmap(&self) -> &VmAreaMixedMap {
> +        // SAFETY: We don't yet provide a way to set VM_PFNMAP, so this cannot put the flags in an
> +        // invalid state.
> +        unsafe { self.update_flags(flags::MIXEDMAP, 0) };
> +
> +        // SAFETY: We just set `VM_MIXEDMAP` on the vma.
> +        unsafe { VmAreaMixedMap::from_raw(self.vma.as_ptr()) }
> +    }
> +
> +    /// Set the `VM_IO` flag on this vma.
> +    ///
> +    /// This marks the vma as being a memory-mapped I/O region.
> +    #[inline]
> +    pub fn set_io(&self) {
> +        // SAFETY: Setting the VM_IO flag is always okay.
> +        unsafe { self.update_flags(flags::IO, 0) };
> +    }
> +
> +    /// Set the `VM_DONTEXPAND` flag on this vma.
> +    ///
> +    /// This prevents the vma from being expanded with `mremap()`.
> +    #[inline]
> +    pub fn set_dontexpand(&self) {
> +        // SAFETY: Setting the VM_DONTEXPAND flag is always okay.
> +        unsafe { self.update_flags(flags::DONTEXPAND, 0) };
> +    }
> +
> +    /// Set the `VM_DONTCOPY` flag on this vma.
> +    ///
> +    /// This prevents the vma from being copied on fork. This option is only permanent if `VM_IO`
> +    /// is set.
> +    #[inline]
> +    pub fn set_dontcopy(&self) {
> +        // SAFETY: Setting the VM_DONTCOPY flag is always okay.
> +        unsafe { self.update_flags(flags::DONTCOPY, 0) };
> +    }
> +
> +    /// Set the `VM_DONTDUMP` flag on this vma.
> +    ///
> +    /// This prevents the vma from being included in core dumps. This option is only permanent if
> +    /// `VM_IO` is set.
> +    #[inline]
> +    pub fn set_dontdump(&self) {
> +        // SAFETY: Setting the VM_DONTDUMP flag is always okay.
> +        unsafe { self.update_flags(flags::DONTDUMP, 0) };
> +    }
> +
> +    /// Returns whether `VM_READ` is set.
> +    ///
> +    /// This flag indicates whether userspace is mapping this vma as readable.
> +    #[inline]
> +    pub fn get_read(&self) -> bool {
> +        (self.flags() & flags::READ) != 0
> +    }
> +
> +    /// Try to clear the `VM_MAYREAD` flag, failing if `VM_READ` is set.
> +    ///
> +    /// This flag indicates whether userspace is allowed to make this vma readable with
> +    /// `mprotect()`.
> +    #[inline]
> +    pub fn try_clear_mayread(&self) -> Result {
> +        if self.get_read() {
> +            return Err(EINVAL);
> +        }

This is quite nice! Strong(er) typing for the win, again :>)

> +        // SAFETY: Clearing `VM_MAYREAD` is okay when `VM_READ` is not set.
> +        unsafe { self.update_flags(0, flags::MAYREAD) };
> +        Ok(())
> +    }
> +
> +    /// Returns whether `VM_WRITE` is set.
> +    ///
> +    /// This flag indicates whether userspace is mapping this vma as writable.
> +    #[inline]
> +    pub fn get_write(&self) -> bool {
> +        (self.flags() & flags::WRITE) != 0
> +    }
> +
> +    /// Try to clear the `VM_MAYWRITE` flag, failing if `VM_WRITE` is set.
> +    ///
> +    /// This flag indicates whether userspace is allowed to make this vma writable with
> +    /// `mprotect()`.
> +    #[inline]
> +    pub fn try_clear_maywrite(&self) -> Result {
> +        if self.get_write() {
> +            return Err(EINVAL);
> +        }
> +        // SAFETY: Clearing `VM_MAYWRITE` is okay when `VM_WRITE` is not set.
> +        unsafe { self.update_flags(0, flags::MAYWRITE) };
> +        Ok(())
> +    }
> +
> +    /// Returns whether `VM_EXEC` is set.
> +    ///
> +    /// This flag indicates whether userspace is mapping this vma as executable.
> +    #[inline]
> +    pub fn get_exec(&self) -> bool {
> +        (self.flags() & flags::EXEC) != 0
> +    }
> +
> +    /// Try to clear the `VM_MAYEXEC` flag, failing if `VM_EXEC` is set.
> +    ///
> +    /// This flag indicates whether userspace is allowed to make this vma executable with
> +    /// `mprotect()`.
> +    #[inline]
> +    pub fn try_clear_mayexec(&self) -> Result {
> +        if self.get_exec() {
> +            return Err(EINVAL);
> +        }
> +        // SAFETY: Clearing `VM_MAYEXEC` is okay when `VM_EXEC` is not set.
> +        unsafe { self.update_flags(0, flags::MAYEXEC) };
> +        Ok(())
> +    }
> +}
> +
>  /// The integer type used for vma flags.
>  #[doc(inline)]
>  pub use bindings::vm_flags_t;
>
> --
> 2.47.0.371.ga323438b13-goog
>
Alice Ryhl Nov. 21, 2024, 11:47 a.m. UTC | #2
On Wed, Nov 20, 2024 at 9:02 PM Lorenzo Stoakes
<lorenzo.stoakes@oracle.com> wrote:
>
> On Wed, Nov 20, 2024 at 02:50:00PM +0000, Alice Ryhl wrote:
> > When setting up a new vma in an mmap call, you have a bunch of extra
> > permissions that you normally don't have. This introduces a new
> > VmAreaNew type that is used for this case.
>
> Hm I'm confused by what you mean here. What permissions do you mean?

I just mean that there are additional things you can do, e.g. you can
set VM_MIXEDMAP.

> Is this to abstract a VMA as passed by f_op->mmap()? I think it would be
> better to explicitly say this if so.

Yeah, the VmAreaNew type is specifically for f_op->mmap(). I'll be
more explicit about that.

> > To avoid setting invalid flag values, the methods for clearing
> > VM_MAYWRITE and similar involve a check of VM_WRITE, and return an error
> > if VM_WRITE is set. Trying to use `try_clear_maywrite` without checking
> > the return value results in a compilation error because the `Result`
> > type is marked #[must_use].
>
> This is nice.
>
> Though note that, it is explicitly not permitted to permit writability for
> a VMA that previously had it disallowed, and we explicitly WARN_ON() this
> now. Concretely that means a VMA where !(vma->vm_flags & VM_MAYWRITE), you
> must not vma->vm_flags |= VM_MAYWRITE.

Got it. The API here doesn't allow that, but good to know we can't add
it in the future.

> > For now, there's only a method for VM_MIXEDMAP and not VM_PFNMAP. When
> > we add a VM_PFNMAP method, we will need some way to prevent you from
> > setting both VM_MIXEDMAP and VM_PFNMAP on the same vma.
>
> Yes this would be unwise.
>
> An aside here - really you should _only_ change flags in this hook (perhaps
> of course also initialising vma->vm_private_data state), trying to change
> anything _core_ here would be deeply dangerous.
>
> We are far too permissive with this right now, and it's something we want
> to try ideally to limit in the future.

The previous version just had a function called "set_flags" that could
be used to set any flags you want. Given Jann's feedback, I had
restricted it to only allow certain flag changes.

> > Signed-off-by: Alice Ryhl <aliceryhl@google.com>
> > ---
> >  rust/kernel/mm/virt.rs | 169 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++-
> >  1 file changed, 168 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-)
> >
> > diff --git a/rust/kernel/mm/virt.rs b/rust/kernel/mm/virt.rs
> > index de7f2338810a..22aff8e77854 100644
> > --- a/rust/kernel/mm/virt.rs
> > +++ b/rust/kernel/mm/virt.rs
> > @@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
> >
> >  use crate::{
> >      bindings,
> > -    error::{to_result, Result},
> > +    error::{code::EINVAL, to_result, Result},
> >      page::Page,
> >      types::Opaque,
> >  };
> > @@ -148,6 +148,173 @@ pub fn vm_insert_page(&self, address: usize, page: &Page) -> Result {
> >      }
> >  }
> >
> > +/// A builder for setting up a vma in an `mmap` call.
>
> Would be better to explicitly reference the struct file_operations->mmap()
> hook and to say that we should only be updating flags and vm_private_data
> here (though perhaps not worth mentioning _that_ if not explicitly exposed
> by your interface).

I guess also vm_ops?

> I'm guessing fields are, unless a setter/builder is established, immutable?

If you have a mutable reference, you can always modify fields. When
you don't want that, fields are made private.

> > +    /// Internal method for updating the vma flags.
> > +    ///
> > +    /// # Safety
> > +    ///
> > +    /// This must not be used to set the flags to an invalid value.
> > +    #[inline]
> > +    unsafe fn update_flags(&self, set: vm_flags_t, unset: vm_flags_t) {
> > +        let mut flags = self.flags();
> > +        flags |= set;
> > +        flags &= !unset;
> > +
> > +        // SAFETY: This is not a data race: the vma is undergoing initial setup, so it's not yet
> > +        // shared. Additionally, `VmAreaNew` is `!Sync`, so it cannot be used to write in parallel.
> > +        // The caller promises that this does not set the flags to an invalid value.
> > +        unsafe { (*self.as_ptr()).__bindgen_anon_2.vm_flags = flags };
>
> Hm not sure if this is correct. We explicitly maintain a union in struct vm_area_struct as:
>
>         union {
>                 const vm_flags_t vm_flags;
>                 vm_flags_t __private __vm_flags;
>         };
>
> Where vma->vm_flags is const, and then use helpers like vm_flags_init() to
> set them, which also do things like assert locks (though not in the init
> case, of course).
>
> So erally we should at least be updating __vm_flags here, though I'm not
> sure how bindgen treats it?

I don't think using vm_flags vs __vm_flags changes anything on the
Rust side. The modifications are happening unsafely through a raw
pointer to something inside Opaque, so Rust isn't going to care about
stuff like your const annotation; it's unsafe either way.

I'll update this to use __vm_flags instead.

> > +    /// Try to clear the `VM_MAYREAD` flag, failing if `VM_READ` is set.
> > +    ///
> > +    /// This flag indicates whether userspace is allowed to make this vma readable with
> > +    /// `mprotect()`.
> > +    #[inline]
> > +    pub fn try_clear_mayread(&self) -> Result {
> > +        if self.get_read() {
> > +            return Err(EINVAL);
> > +        }
>
> This is quite nice! Strong(er) typing for the win, again :>)

:)

Alice
Lorenzo Stoakes Nov. 21, 2024, 1:08 p.m. UTC | #3
On Thu, Nov 21, 2024 at 12:47:33PM +0100, Alice Ryhl wrote:
> On Wed, Nov 20, 2024 at 9:02 PM Lorenzo Stoakes
> <lorenzo.stoakes@oracle.com> wrote:
> >
> > On Wed, Nov 20, 2024 at 02:50:00PM +0000, Alice Ryhl wrote:
> > > When setting up a new vma in an mmap call, you have a bunch of extra
> > > permissions that you normally don't have. This introduces a new
> > > VmAreaNew type that is used for this case.
> >
> > Hm I'm confused by what you mean here. What permissions do you mean?
>
> I just mean that there are additional things you can do, e.g. you can
> set VM_MIXEDMAP.
>
> > Is this to abstract a VMA as passed by f_op->mmap()? I think it would be
> > better to explicitly say this if so.
>
> Yeah, the VmAreaNew type is specifically for f_op->mmap(). I'll be
> more explicit about that.

Yeah this is really critical on this one for me.

>
> > > To avoid setting invalid flag values, the methods for clearing
> > > VM_MAYWRITE and similar involve a check of VM_WRITE, and return an error
> > > if VM_WRITE is set. Trying to use `try_clear_maywrite` without checking
> > > the return value results in a compilation error because the `Result`
> > > type is marked #[must_use].
> >
> > This is nice.
> >
> > Though note that, it is explicitly not permitted to permit writability for
> > a VMA that previously had it disallowed, and we explicitly WARN_ON() this
> > now. Concretely that means a VMA where !(vma->vm_flags & VM_MAYWRITE), you
> > must not vma->vm_flags |= VM_MAYWRITE.
>
> Got it. The API here doesn't allow that, but good to know we can't add
> it in the future.
>
> > > For now, there's only a method for VM_MIXEDMAP and not VM_PFNMAP. When
> > > we add a VM_PFNMAP method, we will need some way to prevent you from
> > > setting both VM_MIXEDMAP and VM_PFNMAP on the same vma.
> >
> > Yes this would be unwise.
> >
> > An aside here - really you should _only_ change flags in this hook (perhaps
> > of course also initialising vma->vm_private_data state), trying to change
> > anything _core_ here would be deeply dangerous.
> >
> > We are far too permissive with this right now, and it's something we want
> > to try ideally to limit in the future.
>
> The previous version just had a function called "set_flags" that could
> be used to set any flags you want. Given Jann's feedback, I had
> restricted it to only allow certain flag changes.

Yes this is a good idea.

>
> > > Signed-off-by: Alice Ryhl <aliceryhl@google.com>

This stuff is sensitive (again, we really need to do something about this in the
VMA code, TBD) so will want to see the v9 respin before ack.

> > > ---
> > >  rust/kernel/mm/virt.rs | 169 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++-
> > >  1 file changed, 168 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-)
> > >
> > > diff --git a/rust/kernel/mm/virt.rs b/rust/kernel/mm/virt.rs
> > > index de7f2338810a..22aff8e77854 100644
> > > --- a/rust/kernel/mm/virt.rs
> > > +++ b/rust/kernel/mm/virt.rs
> > > @@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
> > >
> > >  use crate::{
> > >      bindings,
> > > -    error::{to_result, Result},
> > > +    error::{code::EINVAL, to_result, Result},
> > >      page::Page,
> > >      types::Opaque,
> > >  };
> > > @@ -148,6 +148,173 @@ pub fn vm_insert_page(&self, address: usize, page: &Page) -> Result {
> > >      }
> > >  }
> > >
> > > +/// A builder for setting up a vma in an `mmap` call.
> >
> > Would be better to explicitly reference the struct file_operations->mmap()
> > hook and to say that we should only be updating flags and vm_private_data
> > here (though perhaps not worth mentioning _that_ if not explicitly exposed
> > by your interface).
>
> I guess also vm_ops?
>
> > I'm guessing fields are, unless a setter/builder is established, immutable?
>
> If you have a mutable reference, you can always modify fields. When
> you don't want that, fields are made private.
>
> > > +    /// Internal method for updating the vma flags.
> > > +    ///
> > > +    /// # Safety
> > > +    ///
> > > +    /// This must not be used to set the flags to an invalid value.
> > > +    #[inline]
> > > +    unsafe fn update_flags(&self, set: vm_flags_t, unset: vm_flags_t) {
> > > +        let mut flags = self.flags();
> > > +        flags |= set;
> > > +        flags &= !unset;
> > > +
> > > +        // SAFETY: This is not a data race: the vma is undergoing initial setup, so it's not yet
> > > +        // shared. Additionally, `VmAreaNew` is `!Sync`, so it cannot be used to write in parallel.
> > > +        // The caller promises that this does not set the flags to an invalid value.
> > > +        unsafe { (*self.as_ptr()).__bindgen_anon_2.vm_flags = flags };
> >
> > Hm not sure if this is correct. We explicitly maintain a union in struct vm_area_struct as:
> >
> >         union {
> >                 const vm_flags_t vm_flags;
> >                 vm_flags_t __private __vm_flags;
> >         };
> >
> > Where vma->vm_flags is const, and then use helpers like vm_flags_init() to
> > set them, which also do things like assert locks (though not in the init
> > case, of course).
> >
> > So erally we should at least be updating __vm_flags here, though I'm not
> > sure how bindgen treats it?
>
> I don't think using vm_flags vs __vm_flags changes anything on the
> Rust side. The modifications are happening unsafely through a raw
> pointer to something inside Opaque, so Rust isn't going to care about
> stuff like your const annotation; it's unsafe either way.
>
> I'll update this to use __vm_flags instead.

Yeah, I mean _in practice_ byte-for-byte it will make no difference but it'd be
nice just for the purposes of maintaining a similar abstraction.

It might be worth wrapping in something that explicitly references that this is
on init only but I guess _the whole type_ does this.

>
> > > +    /// Try to clear the `VM_MAYREAD` flag, failing if `VM_READ` is set.
> > > +    ///
> > > +    /// This flag indicates whether userspace is allowed to make this vma readable with
> > > +    /// `mprotect()`.
> > > +    #[inline]
> > > +    pub fn try_clear_mayread(&self) -> Result {
> > > +        if self.get_read() {
> > > +            return Err(EINVAL);
> > > +        }
> >
> > This is quite nice! Strong(er) typing for the win, again :>)
>
> :)
>
> Alice
diff mbox series

Patch

diff --git a/rust/kernel/mm/virt.rs b/rust/kernel/mm/virt.rs
index de7f2338810a..22aff8e77854 100644
--- a/rust/kernel/mm/virt.rs
+++ b/rust/kernel/mm/virt.rs
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ 
 
 use crate::{
     bindings,
-    error::{to_result, Result},
+    error::{code::EINVAL, to_result, Result},
     page::Page,
     types::Opaque,
 };
@@ -148,6 +148,173 @@  pub fn vm_insert_page(&self, address: usize, page: &Page) -> Result {
     }
 }
 
+/// A builder for setting up a vma in an `mmap` call.
+///
+/// # Invariants
+///
+/// For the duration of 'a, the referenced vma must be undergoing initialization.
+pub struct VmAreaNew {
+    vma: VmAreaRef,
+}
+
+// Make all `VmAreaRef` methods available on `VmAreaNew`.
+impl Deref for VmAreaNew {
+    type Target = VmAreaRef;
+
+    #[inline]
+    fn deref(&self) -> &VmAreaRef {
+        &self.vma
+    }
+}
+
+impl VmAreaNew {
+    /// Access a virtual memory area given a raw pointer.
+    ///
+    /// # Safety
+    ///
+    /// Callers must ensure that `vma` is undergoing initial vma setup for the duration of 'a.
+    #[inline]
+    pub unsafe fn from_raw<'a>(vma: *const bindings::vm_area_struct) -> &'a Self {
+        // SAFETY: The caller ensures that the invariants are satisfied for the duration of 'a.
+        unsafe { &*vma.cast() }
+    }
+
+    /// Internal method for updating the vma flags.
+    ///
+    /// # Safety
+    ///
+    /// This must not be used to set the flags to an invalid value.
+    #[inline]
+    unsafe fn update_flags(&self, set: vm_flags_t, unset: vm_flags_t) {
+        let mut flags = self.flags();
+        flags |= set;
+        flags &= !unset;
+
+        // SAFETY: This is not a data race: the vma is undergoing initial setup, so it's not yet
+        // shared. Additionally, `VmAreaNew` is `!Sync`, so it cannot be used to write in parallel.
+        // The caller promises that this does not set the flags to an invalid value.
+        unsafe { (*self.as_ptr()).__bindgen_anon_2.vm_flags = flags };
+    }
+
+    /// Set the `VM_MIXEDMAP` flag on this vma.
+    ///
+    /// This enables the vma to contain both `struct page` and pure PFN pages. Returns a reference
+    /// that can be used to call `vm_insert_page` on the vma.
+    #[inline]
+    pub fn set_mixedmap(&self) -> &VmAreaMixedMap {
+        // SAFETY: We don't yet provide a way to set VM_PFNMAP, so this cannot put the flags in an
+        // invalid state.
+        unsafe { self.update_flags(flags::MIXEDMAP, 0) };
+
+        // SAFETY: We just set `VM_MIXEDMAP` on the vma.
+        unsafe { VmAreaMixedMap::from_raw(self.vma.as_ptr()) }
+    }
+
+    /// Set the `VM_IO` flag on this vma.
+    ///
+    /// This marks the vma as being a memory-mapped I/O region.
+    #[inline]
+    pub fn set_io(&self) {
+        // SAFETY: Setting the VM_IO flag is always okay.
+        unsafe { self.update_flags(flags::IO, 0) };
+    }
+
+    /// Set the `VM_DONTEXPAND` flag on this vma.
+    ///
+    /// This prevents the vma from being expanded with `mremap()`.
+    #[inline]
+    pub fn set_dontexpand(&self) {
+        // SAFETY: Setting the VM_DONTEXPAND flag is always okay.
+        unsafe { self.update_flags(flags::DONTEXPAND, 0) };
+    }
+
+    /// Set the `VM_DONTCOPY` flag on this vma.
+    ///
+    /// This prevents the vma from being copied on fork. This option is only permanent if `VM_IO`
+    /// is set.
+    #[inline]
+    pub fn set_dontcopy(&self) {
+        // SAFETY: Setting the VM_DONTCOPY flag is always okay.
+        unsafe { self.update_flags(flags::DONTCOPY, 0) };
+    }
+
+    /// Set the `VM_DONTDUMP` flag on this vma.
+    ///
+    /// This prevents the vma from being included in core dumps. This option is only permanent if
+    /// `VM_IO` is set.
+    #[inline]
+    pub fn set_dontdump(&self) {
+        // SAFETY: Setting the VM_DONTDUMP flag is always okay.
+        unsafe { self.update_flags(flags::DONTDUMP, 0) };
+    }
+
+    /// Returns whether `VM_READ` is set.
+    ///
+    /// This flag indicates whether userspace is mapping this vma as readable.
+    #[inline]
+    pub fn get_read(&self) -> bool {
+        (self.flags() & flags::READ) != 0
+    }
+
+    /// Try to clear the `VM_MAYREAD` flag, failing if `VM_READ` is set.
+    ///
+    /// This flag indicates whether userspace is allowed to make this vma readable with
+    /// `mprotect()`.
+    #[inline]
+    pub fn try_clear_mayread(&self) -> Result {
+        if self.get_read() {
+            return Err(EINVAL);
+        }
+        // SAFETY: Clearing `VM_MAYREAD` is okay when `VM_READ` is not set.
+        unsafe { self.update_flags(0, flags::MAYREAD) };
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
+    /// Returns whether `VM_WRITE` is set.
+    ///
+    /// This flag indicates whether userspace is mapping this vma as writable.
+    #[inline]
+    pub fn get_write(&self) -> bool {
+        (self.flags() & flags::WRITE) != 0
+    }
+
+    /// Try to clear the `VM_MAYWRITE` flag, failing if `VM_WRITE` is set.
+    ///
+    /// This flag indicates whether userspace is allowed to make this vma writable with
+    /// `mprotect()`.
+    #[inline]
+    pub fn try_clear_maywrite(&self) -> Result {
+        if self.get_write() {
+            return Err(EINVAL);
+        }
+        // SAFETY: Clearing `VM_MAYWRITE` is okay when `VM_WRITE` is not set.
+        unsafe { self.update_flags(0, flags::MAYWRITE) };
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
+    /// Returns whether `VM_EXEC` is set.
+    ///
+    /// This flag indicates whether userspace is mapping this vma as executable.
+    #[inline]
+    pub fn get_exec(&self) -> bool {
+        (self.flags() & flags::EXEC) != 0
+    }
+
+    /// Try to clear the `VM_MAYEXEC` flag, failing if `VM_EXEC` is set.
+    ///
+    /// This flag indicates whether userspace is allowed to make this vma executable with
+    /// `mprotect()`.
+    #[inline]
+    pub fn try_clear_mayexec(&self) -> Result {
+        if self.get_exec() {
+            return Err(EINVAL);
+        }
+        // SAFETY: Clearing `VM_MAYEXEC` is okay when `VM_EXEC` is not set.
+        unsafe { self.update_flags(0, flags::MAYEXEC) };
+        Ok(())
+    }
+}
+
 /// The integer type used for vma flags.
 #[doc(inline)]
 pub use bindings::vm_flags_t;