Linux 2.6.32-61 futex changes break existing applications

[a1291762]

I upgraded to this new kernel this morning and after rebooting, 2 applications failed to work (consistently).

These apps are:

google-chrome-stable=27.0.1453.110-r202711 - process runs but no UI is visible
skype=4.0.0.8-0lucid1 - UI is visible but connection to network never happens

While originally trying to figure out what was going on I rebooted a few times and observed some other issues. Each of these was only observed once.

compiz=1:0.8.4-0ubuntu15.3 failed to start (no window manager)
USB mouse failed to work
GDM visual glitches

I ran strace /opt/google/chrome/chrome and observed that the last thing it did was a call to futex.

Booting the 2.6.32-60 kernel made these programs work. I've updated my grub config to boot this kernel by default as a workaround.

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 10.04
Package: linux-image-2.6.32-61-generic 2.6.32-61.124
Regression: Yes
Reproducible: Yes
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 2.6.32-60.122-generic 2.6.32.61+drm33.26
Uname: Linux 2.6.32-60-generic x86_64
NonfreeKernelModules: nvidia
AlsaVersion: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture Driver Version 1.0.21.
AplayDevices:
 **** List of PLAYBACK Hardware Devices ****
 card 0: Intel [HDA Intel], device 0: ALC662 rev1 Analog [ALC662 rev1 Analog]
   Subdevices: 1/1
   Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
Architecture: amd64
ArecordDevices:
 **** List of CAPTURE Hardware Devices ****
 card 0: Intel [HDA Intel], device 0: ALC662 rev1 Analog [ALC662 rev1 Analog]
   Subdevices: 1/1
   Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
AudioDevicesInUse:
 USER PID ACCESS COMMAND
 /dev/snd/controlC0: rlin 2424 F.... pulseaudio
CRDA: Error: [Errno 2] No such file or directory
Card0.Amixer.info:
 Card hw:0 'Intel'/'HDA Intel at 0xf3020000 irq 21'
   Mixer name : 'Realtek ALC662 rev1'
   Components : 'HDA:10ec0662,103c3048,00100101'
   Controls : 22
   Simple ctrls : 13
Date: Tue Jun 10 13:26:07 2014
HibernationDevice: RESUME=UUID=2af32f0b-fae0-47b9-955b-14241308c96a
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 10.04 LTS "Lucid Lynx" - Release amd64 (20100429)
IwConfig:
 lo no wireless extensions.

 eth0 no wireless extensions.
MachineType: Hewlett-Packard HP Compaq 6000 Pro MT PC
ProcCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-60-generic root=UUID=4579d006-e6e7-460d-b6f0-0f24c8c0460c ro quiet splash
ProcEnviron:
 LANGUAGE=
 LC_COLLATE=POSIX
 PATH=(custom, no user)
 LANG=en_US.UTF-8
 SHELL=/bin/bash
RelatedPackageVersions: linux-firmware 1.34.14
RfKill:

SourcePackage: linux
dmi.bios.date: 08/25/2009
dmi.bios.vendor: Hewlett-Packard
dmi.bios.version: 786G2 v01.09
dmi.board.asset.tag: AUDA1207HM
dmi.board.name: 3048h
dmi.board.vendor: Hewlett-Packard
dmi.chassis.asset.tag: AUDA1207HM
dmi.chassis.type: 6
dmi.chassis.vendor: Hewlett-Packard
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnHewlett-Packard:bvr786G2v01.09:bd08/25/2009:svnHewlett-Packard:pnHPCompaq6000ProMTPC:pvr:rvnHewlett-Packard:rn3048h:rvr:cvnHewlett-Packard:ct6:cvr:
dmi.product.name: HP Compaq 6000 Pro MT PC
dmi.sys.vendor: Hewlett-Packard

[a1291762 (a1291762)]

Also noticed this:

firefox-mozilla-build=29.0.1-0ubuntu1

Settings -> Privacy -> Location Bar. Clicking on the combo box hangs Firefox instead of opening the drop-down (which is a simple 4-item list).

[Brad Figg (brad-figg)]

This change was made by a bot.

[Fernando González (fgonzalezfer)]

Noticed the same issue. Firefox (20.0+build1-0ubuntu0.10.04.3) hangs when clicking any menu item. Rhythmbox (0.12.8-0ubuntu7) has the same problem. Chrome (google-chrome-stable 27.0.1453.110-r202711) does not load any window.

 When booting with 2.6.32.60-generic everything works.

[Andy Whitcroft (apw)]

This could well be fallout from a bad backport of a critical CVE fix. Could you test 2.6.32-62.125 which is currently in -proposed which has the fix for that issue (Bug #1327300), if it does then this bug can be closed duplicate of that one. Thanks!

[a1291762 (a1291762)]

Yes, the kernel 2.6.32-62.125 from the lucid-proposed ppa fixes the problem. I don't know how to mark a bug as a duplicate.

[Fernando González (fgonzalezfer)]

Kernel 2.6.32-62.125 seems to fix the problem, at least for Firefox and Chrome.

[penalvch (penalvch)]

a1291762, thank you for reporting this bug to Ubuntu. Lucid Desktop reached EOL on May 9, 2013.
See this document for currently supported Ubuntu releases: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Releases

Please upgrade to the latest version and re-test. If the bug is still reproducible, please file a new report.

Do feel free to report any other bugs you may find.

[a1291762 (a1291762)]

I don't run Ubuntu 10.04 because I want to. There is a problem with the futex backport in the -61 kernel that the proposed -62 kernel fixes. As bug 1327300 makes clear, this is a lucid-specific problem so clearly the issue will not be present in any newer release. Supported or not, breaking existing systems and telling users to change releases is a little... unhelpful.

And you seem to be suggesting that this only affects desktop apps. My Ubuntu 10.04 SERVER at home would probably disagree with your assessment, but I'm not stupid enough to run a kernel I know to be broken on it just to prove a point.