wolfSSL Linux kernel module support has grown by leaps and bounds, with new support for public key (PK) cryptographic acceleration, FIPS 140-3, accelerated crypto in IRQ handlers, portability improvements, and overall feature completeness.
The module provides the entire libwolfssl API natively to other kernel modules, allowing fully kernel-resident TLS/DTLS endpoints with in-kernel handshaking. Configuration and building is turnkey via the --enable-linuxkm option, and can optionally be configured for cryptographic self-test at load time (POST), including full FIPS 140-3 core hash integrity verification and self-test.
As with library builds, the kernel module can be configured in detail to meet application requirements, while staying within target capabilities and limitations. In particular, developers can opt to link in only the wolfCrypt suite of low level cryptographic algorithms, or can include the full TLS protocol stack with TLS 1.3 support.
For PK operations, the kernel module leverages our new function-complete SP bignum implementation, featuring state of the art performance and side channel attack immunity. AVX2 and AES-NI accelerations are available on x86, and are usable from both normal kernel threads and from interrupt handler contexts. When configured for AES-NI acceleration, the module delivers AES256-GCM encrypt/decrypt at better than 1 byte per cycle.
Kernel module builds of libwolfssl are supported in wolfSSL release 4.6 and newer, and are available in our mainline github repository, supporting the 3.x, 4.x, and 5.x Linux version lines on x86-64, with limited support for ARM and MIPS. Full FIPS 140-3 support on x86-64 will be available in the forthcoming wolfSSL Version 5.0 release.
Need more? Subscribe to our YouTube channel for access to wolfSSL webinars!
Love it? Star us on GitHub!
If you have any questions or run into any issues, contact us at facts@wolfssl.com, or call us at +1 425 245 8247.