Re: [PATCH] elf: Hide DT_INIT and DT_FINI functions

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Project / Subsystem

binutils / elf

Date

2026-09-14

Proposer

Fangrui Song <i@maskray.me>

Source type

public_inbox

Consensus

Proposed

Sentiment

—/10

Technical tradeoffs

• Hiding initialization/finalization functions might improve security by obscuring critical code paths, but could break existing tools or assumptions that rely on these functions being visible.
• Modifying ELF structures requires careful consideration of ABI compatibility and potential impacts on different operating systems and architectures.
• The decision to hide these functions involves balancing potential security benefits against compatibility concerns and the complexity of dynamic linker behavior.

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All attributes

project: binutils
subsystem: elf
patch_id: —
discussion_id: CAN30aBFtFc6dNL3k_-u25hgygYXj4S9fudLsJT6nF=7umz9HrA@mail.gmail.com
source_type: public_inbox
title: Re: [PATCH] elf: Hide DT_INIT and DT_FINI functions
headline: elf: Hide DT_INIT and DT_FINI functions
tldr: Discussion regarding a patch to hide DT_INIT and DT_FINI functions in ELF binaries.
proposer: Fangrui Song <i@maskray.me>
consensus: Proposed
outcome: proposed
sentiment_score: —
technical_tradeoffs: • Hiding initialization/finalization functions might improve security by obscuring critical code paths, but could break existing tools or assumptions that rely on these functions being visible.
• Modifying ELF structures requires careful consideration of ABI compatibility and potential impacts on different operating systems and architectures.
• The decision to hide these functions involves balancing potential security benefits against compatibility concerns and the complexity of dynamic linker behavior.
series_id: —
series_role: standalone
series_parts: []
tags: • ELF
• binutils
• linker
• dynamic linking
• patch
url: https://inbox.sourceware.org/binutils/CAN30aBFtFc6dNL3k_-u25hgygYXj4S9fudLsJT6nF=7umz9HrA@mail.gmail.com
bugzilla_url: —
date: 2026-09-14T00:00:00.000Z

Re: [PATCH] elf: Hide DT_INIT and DT_FINI functions

This discussion revolves around a patch intended to hide the DT_INIT and DT_FINI functions within ELF binaries. The conversation appears to be a long-running thread with multiple participants weighing in on the implications and correctness of the proposed change. The core technical aspect involves manipulating ELF dynamic section tags to control the visibility or behavior of initialization and finalization functions.