Netlink attribute helpers

Functions
uint16_t	mnl_attr_get_type (const struct nlattr *attr)
uint16_t	mnl_attr_get_len (const struct nlattr *attr)
uint16_t	mnl_attr_get_payload_len (const struct nlattr *attr)
void *	mnl_attr_get_payload (const struct nlattr *attr)
bool	mnl_attr_ok (const struct nlattr *attr, int len)
struct nlattr *	mnl_attr_next (const struct nlattr *attr)
int	mnl_attr_type_valid (const struct nlattr *attr, uint16_t max)
int	mnl_attr_validate (const struct nlattr *attr, enum mnl_attr_data_type type)
int	mnl_attr_validate2 (const struct nlattr *attr, enum mnl_attr_data_type type, size_t exp_len)
int	mnl_attr_parse (const struct nlmsghdr *nlh, unsigned int offset, mnl_attr_cb_t cb, void *data)
int	mnl_attr_parse_nested (const struct nlattr *nested, mnl_attr_cb_t cb, void *data)
int	mnl_attr_parse_payload (const void *payload, size_t payload_len, mnl_attr_cb_t cb, void *data)
uint8_t	mnl_attr_get_u8 (const struct nlattr *attr)
uint16_t	mnl_attr_get_u16 (const struct nlattr *attr)
uint32_t	mnl_attr_get_u32 (const struct nlattr *attr)
uint64_t	mnl_attr_get_u64 (const struct nlattr *attr)
const char *	mnl_attr_get_str (const struct nlattr *attr)
void	mnl_attr_put (struct nlmsghdr *nlh, uint16_t type, size_t len, const void *data)
void	mnl_attr_put_u8 (struct nlmsghdr *nlh, uint16_t type, uint8_t data)
void	mnl_attr_put_u16 (struct nlmsghdr *nlh, uint16_t type, uint16_t data)
void	mnl_attr_put_u32 (struct nlmsghdr *nlh, uint16_t type, uint32_t data)
void	mnl_attr_put_u64 (struct nlmsghdr *nlh, uint16_t type, uint64_t data)
void	mnl_attr_put_str (struct nlmsghdr *nlh, uint16_t type, const char *data)
void	mnl_attr_put_strz (struct nlmsghdr *nlh, uint16_t type, const char *data)
struct nlattr *	mnl_attr_nest_start (struct nlmsghdr *nlh, uint16_t type)
bool	mnl_attr_put_check (struct nlmsghdr *nlh, size_t buflen, uint16_t type, size_t len, const void *data)
bool	mnl_attr_put_u8_check (struct nlmsghdr *nlh, size_t buflen, uint16_t type, uint8_t data)
bool	mnl_attr_put_u16_check (struct nlmsghdr *nlh, size_t buflen, uint16_t type, uint16_t data)
bool	mnl_attr_put_u32_check (struct nlmsghdr *nlh, size_t buflen, uint16_t type, uint32_t data)
bool	mnl_attr_put_u64_check (struct nlmsghdr *nlh, size_t buflen, uint16_t type, uint64_t data)
bool	mnl_attr_put_str_check (struct nlmsghdr *nlh, size_t buflen, uint16_t type, const char *data)
bool	mnl_attr_put_strz_check (struct nlmsghdr *nlh, size_t buflen, uint16_t type, const char *data)
struct nlattr *	mnl_attr_nest_start_check (struct nlmsghdr *nlh, size_t buflen, uint16_t type)
void	mnl_attr_nest_end (struct nlmsghdr *nlh, struct nlattr *start)
void	mnl_attr_nest_cancel (struct nlmsghdr *nlh, struct nlattr *start)

Detailed Description

Netlink Type-Length-Value (TLV) attribute:

        |<-- 2 bytes -->|<-- 2 bytes -->|<-- variable -->|
        -------------------------------------------------
        |     length    |      type     |      value     |
        -------------------------------------------------
        |<--------- header ------------>|<-- payload --->|

The payload of the Netlink message contains sequences of attributes that are expressed in TLV format.

Function Documentation

mnl_attr_get_len()

uint16_t mnl_attr_get_len

(

const struct nlattr *

attr

)

mnl_attr_get_len - get length of netlink attribute

Parameters

attr	pointer to netlink attribute

This function returns the attribute length that is the attribute header plus the attribute payload.

Definition at line 50 of file attr.c.

mnl_attr_get_payload()

void * mnl_attr_get_payload

(

const struct nlattr *

attr

)

mnl_attr_get_payload - get pointer to the attribute payload

Parameters

attr	pointer to netlink attribute

This function return a pointer to the attribute payload.

Definition at line 72 of file attr.c.

mnl_attr_get_payload_len()

uint16_t mnl_attr_get_payload_len

(

const struct nlattr *

attr

)

mnl_attr_get_payload_len - get the attribute payload-value length

Parameters

attr	pointer to netlink attribute

This function returns the attribute payload-value length.

Definition at line 61 of file attr.c.

mnl_attr_get_str()

const char * mnl_attr_get_str

(

const struct nlattr *

attr

)

mnl_attr_get_str - returns pointer to string attribute.

Parameters

attr	pointer to netlink attribute

This function returns the payload of string attribute value.

Definition at line 380 of file attr.c.

mnl_attr_get_type()

uint16_t mnl_attr_get_type

(

const struct nlattr *

attr

)

mnl_attr_get_type - get type of netlink attribute

Parameters

attr	pointer to netlink attribute

This function returns the attribute type.

Definition at line 38 of file attr.c.

mnl_attr_get_u16()

uint16_t mnl_attr_get_u16

(

const struct nlattr *

attr

)

mnl_attr_get_u16 - returns 16-bit unsigned integer attribute payload

Parameters

attr	pointer to netlink attribute

This function returns the 16-bit value of the attribute payload.

Definition at line 343 of file attr.c.

mnl_attr_get_u32()

uint32_t mnl_attr_get_u32

(

const struct nlattr *

attr

)

mnl_attr_get_u32 - returns 32-bit unsigned integer attribute payload

Parameters

attr	pointer to netlink attribute

This function returns the 32-bit value of the attribute payload.

Definition at line 354 of file attr.c.

mnl_attr_get_u64()

uint64_t mnl_attr_get_u64

(

const struct nlattr *

attr

)

mnl_attr_get_u64 - returns 64-bit unsigned integer attribute.

Parameters

attr	pointer to netlink attribute

This function returns the 64-bit value of the attribute payload. This function is align-safe, since accessing 64-bit Netlink attributes is a common source of alignment issues.

Definition at line 367 of file attr.c.

mnl_attr_get_u8()

uint8_t mnl_attr_get_u8

(

const struct nlattr *

attr

)

mnl_attr_get_u8 - returns 8-bit unsigned integer attribute payload

Parameters

attr	pointer to netlink attribute

This function returns the 8-bit value of the attribute payload.

Definition at line 332 of file attr.c.

mnl_attr_nest_cancel()

void mnl_attr_nest_cancel	(	struct nlmsghdr *	nlh,
		struct nlattr *	start
	)

mnl_attr_nest_cancel - cancel an attribute nest

Parameters

nlh	pointer to the netlink message
start	pointer to the attribute nest returned by mnl_attr_nest_start()

This function updates the attribute header that identifies the nest.

Definition at line 714 of file attr.c.

mnl_attr_nest_end()

void mnl_attr_nest_end	(	struct nlmsghdr *	nlh,
		struct nlattr *	start
	)

mnl_attr_nest_end - end an attribute nest

Parameters

nlh	pointer to the netlink message
start	pointer to the attribute nest returned by mnl_attr_nest_start()

This function updates the attribute header that identifies the nest.

Definition at line 701 of file attr.c.

mnl_attr_nest_start()

struct nlattr * mnl_attr_nest_start	(	struct nlmsghdr *	nlh,
		uint16_t	type
	)

mnl_attr_nest_start - start an attribute nest

Parameters

nlh	pointer to the netlink message
type	netlink attribute type

This function adds the attribute header that identifies the beginning of an attribute nest. This function always returns a valid pointer to the beginning of the nest.

Definition at line 514 of file attr.c.

mnl_attr_nest_start_check()

struct nlattr * mnl_attr_nest_start_check	(	struct nlmsghdr *	nlh,
		size_t	buflen,
		uint16_t	type
	)

mnl_attr_nest_start_check - start an attribute nest

Parameters

buflen	size of buffer which stores the message
nlh	pointer to the netlink message
type	netlink attribute type

This function adds the attribute header that identifies the beginning of an attribute nest. If the nested attribute cannot be added then NULL, otherwise valid pointer to the beginning of the nest is returned.

Definition at line 685 of file attr.c.

mnl_attr_next()

struct nlattr * mnl_attr_next

(

const struct nlattr *

attr

)

mnl_attr_next - get the next attribute in the payload of a netlink message

Parameters

attr	pointer to the current attribute

This function returns a pointer to the next attribute after the one passed as parameter. You have to use mnl_attr_ok() to ensure that the next attribute is valid.

Definition at line 108 of file attr.c.

mnl_attr_ok()

bool mnl_attr_ok	(	const struct nlattr *	attr,
		int	len
	)

mnl_attr_ok - check if there is room for an attribute in a buffer

Parameters

attr	attribute that we want to check if there is room for
len	remaining bytes in a buffer that contains the attribute

This function is used to check that a buffer, which is supposed to contain an attribute, has enough room for the attribute that it stores, i.e. this function can be used to verify that an attribute is neither malformed nor truncated.

This function does not set errno in case of error since it is intended for iterations. Thus, it returns true on success and false on error.

The len parameter may be negative in the case of malformed messages during attribute iteration, that is why we use a signed integer.

Definition at line 93 of file attr.c.

mnl_attr_parse()

int mnl_attr_parse	(	const struct nlmsghdr *	nlh,
		unsigned int	offset,
		mnl_attr_cb_t	cb,
		void *	data
	)

mnl_attr_parse - parse attributes

Parameters

nlh	pointer to netlink message
offset	offset to start parsing from (if payload is after any header)
cb	callback function that is called for each attribute
data	pointer to data that is passed to the callback function

This function allows to iterate over the sequence of attributes that compose the Netlink message. You can then put the attribute in an array as it usually happens at this stage or you can use any other data structure (such as lists or trees).

This function propagates the return value of the callback, which can be MNL_CB_ERROR, MNL_CB_OK or MNL_CB_STOP.

Definition at line 255 of file attr.c.

mnl_attr_parse_nested()

int mnl_attr_parse_nested	(	const struct nlattr *	nested,
		mnl_attr_cb_t	cb,
		void *	data
	)

mnl_attr_parse_nested - parse attributes inside a nest

Parameters

nested	pointer to netlink attribute that contains a nest
cb	callback function that is called for each attribute in the nest
data	pointer to data passed to the callback function

This function allows to iterate over the sequence of attributes that compose the Netlink message. You can then put the attribute in an array as it usually happens at this stage or you can use any other data structure (such as lists or trees).

This function propagates the return value of the callback, which can be MNL_CB_ERROR, MNL_CB_OK or MNL_CB_STOP.

Definition at line 282 of file attr.c.

mnl_attr_parse_payload()

int mnl_attr_parse_payload	(	const void *	payload,
		size_t	payload_len,
		mnl_attr_cb_t	cb,
		void *	data
	)

mnl_attr_parse_payload - parse attributes in payload of Netlink message

Parameters

payload	pointer to payload of the Netlink message
payload_len	payload length that contains the attributes
cb	callback function that is called for each attribute
data	pointer to data that is passed to the callback function

This function takes a pointer to the area that contains the attributes, commonly known as the payload of the Netlink message. Thus, you have to pass a pointer to the Netlink message payload, instead of the entire message.

This function allows you to iterate over the sequence of attributes that are located at some payload offset. You can then put the attributes in one array as usual, or you can use any other data structure (such as lists or trees).

This function propagates the return value of the callback, which can be MNL_CB_ERROR, MNL_CB_OK or MNL_CB_STOP.

Definition at line 313 of file attr.c.

mnl_attr_put()

void mnl_attr_put	(	struct nlmsghdr *	nlh,
		uint16_t	type,
		size_t	len,
		const void *	data
	)

mnl_attr_put - add an attribute to netlink message

Parameters

nlh	pointer to the netlink message
type	netlink attribute type that you want to add
len	netlink attribute payload length
data	pointer to the data that will be stored by the new attribute

This function updates the length field of the Netlink message (nlmsg_len) by adding the size (header + payload) of the new attribute.

Definition at line 395 of file attr.c.

mnl_attr_put_check()

bool mnl_attr_put_check	(	struct nlmsghdr *	nlh,
		size_t	buflen,
		uint16_t	type,
		size_t	len,
		const void *	data
	)

mnl_attr_put_check - add an attribute to netlink message

Parameters

nlh	pointer to the netlink message
buflen	size of buffer which stores the message
type	netlink attribute type that you want to add
len	netlink attribute payload length
data	pointer to the data that will be stored by the new attribute

This function first checks that the data can be added to the message (fits into the buffer) and then updates the length field of the Netlink message (nlmsg_len) by adding the size (header + payload) of the new attribute. The function returns true if the attribute could be added to the message, otherwise false is returned.

Definition at line 540 of file attr.c.

mnl_attr_put_str()

void mnl_attr_put_str	(	struct nlmsghdr *	nlh,
		uint16_t	type,
		const char *	data
	)

mnl_attr_put_str - add string attribute to netlink message

Parameters

nlh	pointer to the netlink message
type	netlink attribute type
data	pointer to string data that is stored by the new attribute

This function updates the length field of the Netlink message (nlmsg_len) by adding the size (header + payload) of the new attribute.

Definition at line 481 of file attr.c.

mnl_attr_put_str_check()

bool mnl_attr_put_str_check	(	struct nlmsghdr *	nlh,
		size_t	buflen,
		uint16_t	type,
		const char *	data
	)

mnl_attr_put_str_check - add string attribute to netlink message

Parameters

nlh	pointer to the netlink message
buflen	size of buffer which stores the message
type	netlink attribute type
data	pointer to string data that is stored by the new attribute

This function first checks that the data can be added to the message (fits into the buffer) and then updates the length field of the Netlink message (nlmsg_len) by adding the size (header + payload) of the new attribute. The function returns true if the attribute could be added to the message, otherwise false is returned. This function updates the length field of the Netlink message (nlmsg_len) by adding the size (header + payload) of the new attribute.

Definition at line 647 of file attr.c.

mnl_attr_put_strz()

void mnl_attr_put_strz	(	struct nlmsghdr *	nlh,
		uint16_t	type,
		const char *	data
	)

mnl_attr_put_strz - add string attribute to netlink message

Parameters

nlh	pointer to the netlink message
type	netlink attribute type
data	pointer to string data that is stored by the new attribute

This function is similar to mnl_attr_put_str, but it includes the NUL/zero ('\0') terminator at the end of the string.

This function updates the length field of the Netlink message (nlmsg_len) by adding the size (header + payload) of the new attribute.

Definition at line 499 of file attr.c.

mnl_attr_put_strz_check()

bool mnl_attr_put_strz_check	(	struct nlmsghdr *	nlh,
		size_t	buflen,
		uint16_t	type,
		const char *	data
	)

mnl_attr_put_strz_check - add string attribute to netlink message

Parameters

nlh	pointer to the netlink message
buflen	size of buffer which stores the message
type	netlink attribute type
data	pointer to string data that is stored by the new attribute

This function is similar to mnl_attr_put_str, but it includes the NUL/zero ('\0') terminator at the end of the string.

This function first checks that the data can be added to the message (fits into the buffer) and then updates the length field of the Netlink message (nlmsg_len) by adding the size (header + payload) of the new attribute. The function returns true if the attribute could be added to the message, otherwise false is returned.

Definition at line 669 of file attr.c.

mnl_attr_put_u16()

void mnl_attr_put_u16	(	struct nlmsghdr *	nlh,
		uint16_t	type,
		uint16_t	data
	)

mnl_attr_put_u16 - add 16-bit unsigned integer attribute to netlink message

Parameters

nlh	pointer to the netlink message
type	netlink attribute type
data	16-bit unsigned integer data that is stored by the new attribute

This function updates the length field of the Netlink message (nlmsg_len) by adding the size (header + payload) of the new attribute.

Definition at line 436 of file attr.c.

mnl_attr_put_u16_check()

bool mnl_attr_put_u16_check	(	struct nlmsghdr *	nlh,
		size_t	buflen,
		uint16_t	type,
		uint16_t	data
	)

mnl_attr_put_u16_check - add 16-bit unsigned int attribute to netlink message

Parameters

nlh	pointer to the netlink message
buflen	size of buffer which stores the message
type	netlink attribute type
data	16-bit unsigned integer data that is stored by the new attribute

This function first checks that the data can be added to the message (fits into the buffer) and then updates the length field of the Netlink message (nlmsg_len) by adding the size (header + payload) of the new attribute. The function returns true if the attribute could be added to the message, otherwise false is returned. This function updates the length field of the Netlink message (nlmsg_len) by adding the size (header + payload) of the new attribute.

Definition at line 584 of file attr.c.

mnl_attr_put_u32()

void mnl_attr_put_u32	(	struct nlmsghdr *	nlh,
		uint16_t	type,
		uint32_t	data
	)

mnl_attr_put_u32 - add 32-bit unsigned integer attribute to netlink message

Parameters

nlh	pointer to the netlink message
type	netlink attribute type
data	32-bit unsigned integer data that is stored by the new attribute

This function updates the length field of the Netlink message (nlmsg_len) by adding the size (header + payload) of the new attribute.

Definition at line 451 of file attr.c.

mnl_attr_put_u32_check()

bool mnl_attr_put_u32_check	(	struct nlmsghdr *	nlh,
		size_t	buflen,
		uint16_t	type,
		uint32_t	data
	)

mnl_attr_put_u32_check - add 32-bit unsigned int attribute to netlink message

Parameters

nlh	pointer to the netlink message
buflen	size of buffer which stores the message
type	netlink attribute type
data	32-bit unsigned integer data that is stored by the new attribute

This function first checks that the data can be added to the message (fits into the buffer) and then updates the length field of the Netlink message (nlmsg_len) by adding the size (header + payload) of the new attribute. The function returns true if the attribute could be added to the message, otherwise false is returned. This function updates the length field of the Netlink message (nlmsg_len) by adding the size (header + payload) of the new attribute.

Definition at line 605 of file attr.c.

mnl_attr_put_u64()

void mnl_attr_put_u64	(	struct nlmsghdr *	nlh,
		uint16_t	type,
		uint64_t	data
	)

mnl_attr_put_u64 - add 64-bit unsigned integer attribute to netlink message

Parameters

nlh	pointer to the netlink message
type	netlink attribute type
data	64-bit unsigned integer data that is stored by the new attribute

This function updates the length field of the Netlink message (nlmsg_len) by adding the size (header + payload) of the new attribute.

Definition at line 466 of file attr.c.

mnl_attr_put_u64_check()

bool mnl_attr_put_u64_check	(	struct nlmsghdr *	nlh,
		size_t	buflen,
		uint16_t	type,
		uint64_t	data
	)

mnl_attr_put_u64_check - add 64-bit unsigned int attribute to netlink message

Parameters

nlh	pointer to the netlink message
buflen	size of buffer which stores the message
type	netlink attribute type
data	64-bit unsigned integer data that is stored by the new attribute

This function first checks that the data can be added to the message (fits into the buffer) and then updates the length field of the Netlink message (nlmsg_len) by adding the size (header + payload) of the new attribute. The function returns true if the attribute could be added to the message, otherwise false is returned. This function updates the length field of the Netlink message (nlmsg_len) by adding the size (header + payload) of the new attribute.

Definition at line 626 of file attr.c.

mnl_attr_put_u8()

void mnl_attr_put_u8	(	struct nlmsghdr *	nlh,
		uint16_t	type,
		uint8_t	data
	)

mnl_attr_put_u8 - add 8-bit unsigned integer attribute to netlink message

Parameters

nlh	pointer to the netlink message
type	netlink attribute type
data	8-bit unsigned integer data that is stored by the new attribute

This function updates the length field of the Netlink message (nlmsg_len) by adding the size (header + payload) of the new attribute.

Definition at line 421 of file attr.c.

mnl_attr_put_u8_check()

bool mnl_attr_put_u8_check	(	struct nlmsghdr *	nlh,
		size_t	buflen,
		uint16_t	type,
		uint8_t	data
	)

mnl_attr_put_u8_check - add 8-bit unsigned int attribute to netlink message

Parameters

nlh	pointer to the netlink message
buflen	size of buffer which stores the message
type	netlink attribute type
data	8-bit unsigned integer data that is stored by the new attribute

This function first checks that the data can be added to the message (fits into the buffer) and then updates the length field of the Netlink message (nlmsg_len) by adding the size (header + payload) of the new attribute. The function returns true if the attribute could be added to the message, otherwise false is returned.

Definition at line 563 of file attr.c.

mnl_attr_type_valid()

int mnl_attr_type_valid	(	const struct nlattr *	attr,
		uint16_t	max
	)

mnl_attr_type_valid - check if the attribute type is valid

Parameters

attr	pointer to attribute to be checked
max	maximum attribute type

This function allows to check if the attribute type is higher than the maximum supported type. If the attribute type is invalid, this function returns -1 and errno is explicitly set. On success, this function returns 1.

Strict attribute checking in user-space is not a good idea since you may run an old application with a newer kernel that supports new attributes. This leads to backward compatibility breakages in user-space. Better check if you support an attribute, if not, skip it.

Definition at line 127 of file attr.c.

mnl_attr_validate()

int mnl_attr_validate	(	const struct nlattr *	attr,
		enum mnl_attr_data_type	type
	)

mnl_attr_validate - validate netlink attribute (simplified version)

Parameters

attr	pointer to netlink attribute that we want to validate
type	data type (see enum mnl_attr_data_type)

The validation is based on the data type. Specifically, it checks that integers (u8, u16, u32 and u64) have enough room for them. This function returns -1 in case of error, and errno is explicitly set.

Definition at line 207 of file attr.c.

mnl_attr_validate2()

int mnl_attr_validate2	(	const struct nlattr *	attr,
		enum mnl_attr_data_type	type,
		size_t	exp_len
	)

mnl_attr_validate2 - validate netlink attribute (extended version)

Parameters

attr	pointer to netlink attribute that we want to validate
type	attribute type (see enum mnl_attr_data_type)
exp_len	expected attribute data size

This function allows to perform a more accurate validation for attributes whose size is variable. If the size of the attribute is not what we expect, this functions returns -1 and errno is explicitly set.

Definition at line 229 of file attr.c.