batman-adv: Make bat_priv->primary_if an rcu protected pointer

The rcu protected macros rcu_dereference() and rcu_assign_pointer()
for the bat_priv->primary_if need to be used, as well as spin/rcu locking.

Otherwise we might end up using a primary_if pointer pointing to already
freed memory.

Signed-off-by: Marek Lindner <lindner_marek@yahoo.de>
Signed-off-by: Sven Eckelmann <sven@narfation.org>

12 files changed, 280 insertions, 118 deletions

diff --git a/net/batman-adv/gateway_client.c b/net/batman-adv/gateway_client.c
index af128eff2edf..65f39530799d 100644
--- a/net/batman-adv/gateway_client.c
+++ b/net/batman-adv/gateway_client.c
@@ -439,30 +439,32 @@ int gw_client_seq_print_text(struct seq_file *seq, void *offset)
 {
         struct net_device *net_dev = (struct net_device *)seq->private;
         struct bat_priv *bat_priv = netdev_priv(net_dev);
+        struct hard_iface *primary_if;
         struct gw_node *gw_node;
         struct hlist_node *node;
-        int gw_count = 0;
+        int gw_count = 0, ret = 0;
 
-        if (!bat_priv->primary_if) {
-
-                return seq_printf(seq, "BATMAN mesh %s disabled - please "
-                                  "specify interfaces to enable it\n",
-                                  net_dev->name);
+        primary_if = primary_if_get_selected(bat_priv);
+        if (!primary_if) {
+                ret = seq_printf(seq, "BATMAN mesh %s disabled - please "
+                                 "specify interfaces to enable it\n",
+                                 net_dev->name);
+                goto out;
         }
 
-        if (bat_priv->primary_if->if_status != IF_ACTIVE) {
-
-                return seq_printf(seq, "BATMAN mesh %s disabled - "
-                                       "primary interface not active\n",
-                                       net_dev->name);
+        if (primary_if->if_status != IF_ACTIVE) {
+                ret = seq_printf(seq, "BATMAN mesh %s disabled - "
+                                 "primary interface not active\n",
+                                 net_dev->name);
+                goto out;
         }
 
         seq_printf(seq, "      %-12s (%s/%i) %17s [%10s]: gw_class ... "
                    "[B.A.T.M.A.N. adv %s%s, MainIF/MAC: %s/%pM (%s)]\n",
                    "Gateway", "#", TQ_MAX_VALUE, "Nexthop",
                    "outgoingIF", SOURCE_VERSION, REVISION_VERSION_STR,
-                   bat_priv->primary_if->net_dev->name,
-                   bat_priv->primary_if->net_dev->dev_addr, net_dev->name);
+                   primary_if->net_dev->name,
+                   primary_if->net_dev->dev_addr, net_dev->name);
 
         rcu_read_lock();
         hlist_for_each_entry_rcu(gw_node, node, &bat_priv->gw_list, list) {
@@ -480,7 +482,10 @@ int gw_client_seq_print_text(struct seq_file *seq, void *offset)
         if (gw_count == 0)
                 seq_printf(seq, "No gateways in range ...\n");
 
-        return 0;
+out:
+        if (primary_if)
+                hardif_free_ref(primary_if);
+        return ret;
 }
 
 int gw_is_target(struct bat_priv *bat_priv, struct sk_buff *skb)
diff --git a/net/batman-adv/hard-interface.c b/net/batman-adv/hard-interface.c
index b3058e46ee6b..3e888f133d75 100644
--- a/net/batman-adv/hard-interface.c
+++ b/net/batman-adv/hard-interface.c
@@ -110,47 +110,60 @@ out:
         return hard_iface;
 }
 
-static void update_primary_addr(struct bat_priv *bat_priv)
+static void primary_if_update_addr(struct bat_priv *bat_priv)
 {
         struct vis_packet *vis_packet;
+        struct hard_iface *primary_if;
+
+        primary_if = primary_if_get_selected(bat_priv);
+        if (!primary_if)
+                goto out;
 
         vis_packet = (struct vis_packet *)
                                 bat_priv->my_vis_info->skb_packet->data;
-        memcpy(vis_packet->vis_orig,
-               bat_priv->primary_if->net_dev->dev_addr, ETH_ALEN);
+        memcpy(vis_packet->vis_orig, primary_if->net_dev->dev_addr, ETH_ALEN);
         memcpy(vis_packet->sender_orig,
-               bat_priv->primary_if->net_dev->dev_addr, ETH_ALEN);
+               primary_if->net_dev->dev_addr, ETH_ALEN);
+
+out:
+        if (primary_if)
+                hardif_free_ref(primary_if);
 }
 
-static void set_primary_if(struct bat_priv *bat_priv,
-                           struct hard_iface *hard_iface)
+static void primary_if_select(struct bat_priv *bat_priv,
+                              struct hard_iface *new_hard_iface)
 {
+        struct hard_iface *curr_hard_iface;
         struct batman_packet *batman_packet;
-        struct hard_iface *old_if;
 
-        if (hard_iface && !atomic_inc_not_zero(&hard_iface->refcount))
-                hard_iface = NULL;
+        spin_lock_bh(&hardif_list_lock);
 
-        old_if = bat_priv->primary_if;
-        bat_priv->primary_if = hard_iface;
+        if (new_hard_iface && !atomic_inc_not_zero(&new_hard_iface->refcount))
+                new_hard_iface = NULL;
 
-        if (old_if)
-                hardif_free_ref(old_if);
+        curr_hard_iface = bat_priv->primary_if;
+        rcu_assign_pointer(bat_priv->primary_if, new_hard_iface);
 
-        if (!bat_priv->primary_if)
-                return;
+        if (curr_hard_iface)
+                hardif_free_ref(curr_hard_iface);
 
-        batman_packet = (struct batman_packet *)(hard_iface->packet_buff);
+        if (!new_hard_iface)
+                goto out;
+
+        batman_packet = (struct batman_packet *)(new_hard_iface->packet_buff);
         batman_packet->flags = PRIMARIES_FIRST_HOP;
         batman_packet->ttl = TTL;
 
-        update_primary_addr(bat_priv);
+        primary_if_update_addr(bat_priv);
 
         /***
          * hacky trick to make sure that we send the HNA information via
          * our new primary interface
          */
         atomic_set(&bat_priv->hna_local_changed, 1);
+
+out:
+        spin_unlock_bh(&hardif_list_lock);
 }
 
 static bool hardif_is_iface_up(struct hard_iface *hard_iface)
@@ -236,9 +249,10 @@ void update_min_mtu(struct net_device *soft_iface)
 static void hardif_activate_interface(struct hard_iface *hard_iface)
 {
         struct bat_priv *bat_priv;
+        struct hard_iface *primary_if = NULL;
 
         if (hard_iface->if_status != IF_INACTIVE)
-                return;
+                goto out;
 
         bat_priv = netdev_priv(hard_iface->soft_iface);
 
@@ -249,14 +263,18 @@ static void hardif_activate_interface(struct hard_iface *hard_iface)
          * the first active interface becomes our primary interface or
          * the next active interface after the old primay interface was removed
          */
-        if (!bat_priv->primary_if)
-                set_primary_if(bat_priv, hard_iface);
+        primary_if = primary_if_get_selected(bat_priv);
+        if (!primary_if)
+                primary_if_select(bat_priv, hard_iface);
 
         bat_info(hard_iface->soft_iface, "Interface activated: %s\n",
                  hard_iface->net_dev->name);
 
         update_min_mtu(hard_iface->soft_iface);
-        return;
+
+out:
+        if (primary_if)
+                hardif_free_ref(primary_if);
 }
 
 static void hardif_deactivate_interface(struct hard_iface *hard_iface)
@@ -386,12 +404,13 @@ err:
 void hardif_disable_interface(struct hard_iface *hard_iface)
 {
         struct bat_priv *bat_priv = netdev_priv(hard_iface->soft_iface);
+        struct hard_iface *primary_if = NULL;
 
         if (hard_iface->if_status == IF_ACTIVE)
                 hardif_deactivate_interface(hard_iface);
 
         if (hard_iface->if_status != IF_INACTIVE)
-                return;
+                goto out;
 
         bat_info(hard_iface->soft_iface, "Removing interface: %s\n",
                  hard_iface->net_dev->name);
@@ -400,11 +419,12 @@ void hardif_disable_interface(struct hard_iface *hard_iface)
         bat_priv->num_ifaces--;
         orig_hash_del_if(hard_iface, bat_priv->num_ifaces);
 
-        if (hard_iface == bat_priv->primary_if) {
+        primary_if = primary_if_get_selected(bat_priv);
+        if (hard_iface == primary_if) {
                 struct hard_iface *new_if;
 
                 new_if = hardif_get_active(hard_iface->soft_iface);
-                set_primary_if(bat_priv, new_if);
+                primary_if_select(bat_priv, new_if);
 
                 if (new_if)
                         hardif_free_ref(new_if);
@@ -425,6 +445,10 @@ void hardif_disable_interface(struct hard_iface *hard_iface)
 
         hard_iface->soft_iface = NULL;
         hardif_free_ref(hard_iface);
+
+out:
+        if (primary_if)
+                hardif_free_ref(primary_if);
 }
 
 static struct hard_iface *hardif_add_interface(struct net_device *net_dev)
@@ -514,6 +538,7 @@ static int hard_if_event(struct notifier_block *this,
 {
         struct net_device *net_dev = (struct net_device *)ptr;
         struct hard_iface *hard_iface = hardif_get_by_netdev(net_dev);
+        struct hard_iface *primary_if = NULL;
         struct bat_priv *bat_priv;
 
         if (!hard_iface && event == NETDEV_REGISTER)
@@ -549,8 +574,12 @@ static int hard_if_event(struct notifier_block *this,
                 update_mac_addresses(hard_iface);
 
                 bat_priv = netdev_priv(hard_iface->soft_iface);
-                if (hard_iface == bat_priv->primary_if)
-                        update_primary_addr(bat_priv);
+                primary_if = primary_if_get_selected(bat_priv);
+                if (!primary_if)
+                        goto hardif_put;
+
+                if (hard_iface == primary_if)
+                        primary_if_update_addr(bat_priv);
                 break;
         default:
                 break;
@@ -559,6 +588,8 @@ static int hard_if_event(struct notifier_block *this,
 hardif_put:
         hardif_free_ref(hard_iface);
 out:
+        if (primary_if)
+                hardif_free_ref(primary_if);
         return NOTIFY_DONE;
 }
 
diff --git a/net/batman-adv/hard-interface.h b/net/batman-adv/hard-interface.h
index a9ddf36e51c8..64265991460b 100644
--- a/net/batman-adv/hard-interface.h
+++ b/net/batman-adv/hard-interface.h
@@ -45,4 +45,22 @@ static inline void hardif_free_ref(struct hard_iface *hard_iface)
                 call_rcu(&hard_iface->rcu, hardif_free_rcu);
 }
 
+static inline struct hard_iface *primary_if_get_selected(
+                                                struct bat_priv *bat_priv)
+{
+        struct hard_iface *hard_iface;
+
+        rcu_read_lock();
+        hard_iface = rcu_dereference(bat_priv->primary_if);
+        if (!hard_iface)
+                goto out;
+
+        if (!atomic_inc_not_zero(&hard_iface->refcount))
+                hard_iface = NULL;
+
+out:
+        rcu_read_unlock();
+        return hard_iface;
+}
+
 #endif /* _NET_BATMAN_ADV_HARD_INTERFACE_H_ */
diff --git a/net/batman-adv/icmp_socket.c b/net/batman-adv/icmp_socket.c
index 49079c254476..fa22ba2bb832 100644
--- a/net/batman-adv/icmp_socket.c
+++ b/net/batman-adv/icmp_socket.c
@@ -153,6 +153,7 @@ static ssize_t bat_socket_write(struct file *file, const char __user *buff,
 {
         struct socket_client *socket_client = file->private_data;
         struct bat_priv *bat_priv = socket_client->bat_priv;
+        struct hard_iface *primary_if = NULL;
         struct sk_buff *skb;
         struct icmp_packet_rr *icmp_packet;
 
@@ -167,15 +168,21 @@ static ssize_t bat_socket_write(struct file *file, const char __user *buff,
                 return -EINVAL;
         }
 
-        if (!bat_priv->primary_if)
-                return -EFAULT;
+        primary_if = primary_if_get_selected(bat_priv);
+
+        if (!primary_if) {
+                len = -EFAULT;
+                goto out;
+        }
 
         if (len >= sizeof(struct icmp_packet_rr))
                 packet_len = sizeof(struct icmp_packet_rr);
 
         skb = dev_alloc_skb(packet_len + sizeof(struct ethhdr));
-        if (!skb)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        if (!skb) {
+                len = -ENOMEM;
+                goto out;
+        }
 
         skb_reserve(skb, sizeof(struct ethhdr));
         icmp_packet = (struct icmp_packet_rr *)skb_put(skb, packet_len);
@@ -233,7 +240,7 @@ static ssize_t bat_socket_write(struct file *file, const char __user *buff,
                 goto dst_unreach;
 
         memcpy(icmp_packet->orig,
-               bat_priv->primary_if->net_dev->dev_addr, ETH_ALEN);
+               primary_if->net_dev->dev_addr, ETH_ALEN);
 
         if (packet_len == sizeof(struct icmp_packet_rr))
                 memcpy(icmp_packet->rr,
@@ -248,6 +255,8 @@ dst_unreach:
 free_skb:
         kfree_skb(skb);
 out:
+        if (primary_if)
+                hardif_free_ref(primary_if);
         if (neigh_node)
                 neigh_node_free_ref(neigh_node);
         if (orig_node)
diff --git a/net/batman-adv/originator.c b/net/batman-adv/originator.c
index 5b8fe32043da..ef4a9be7613a 100644
--- a/net/batman-adv/originator.c
+++ b/net/batman-adv/originator.c
@@ -405,29 +405,34 @@ int orig_seq_print_text(struct seq_file *seq, void *offset)
         struct hashtable_t *hash = bat_priv->orig_hash;
         struct hlist_node *node, *node_tmp;
         struct hlist_head *head;
+        struct hard_iface *primary_if;
         struct orig_node *orig_node;
         struct neigh_node *neigh_node, *neigh_node_tmp;
         int batman_count = 0;
         int last_seen_secs;
         int last_seen_msecs;
-        int i;
+        int i, ret = 0;
+
+        primary_if = primary_if_get_selected(bat_priv);
 
-        if ((!bat_priv->primary_if) ||
-            (bat_priv->primary_if->if_status != IF_ACTIVE)) {
-                if (!bat_priv->primary_if)
-                        return seq_printf(seq, "BATMAN mesh %s disabled - "
-                                     "please specify interfaces to enable it\n",
-                                     net_dev->name);
+        if (!primary_if) {
+                ret = seq_printf(seq, "BATMAN mesh %s disabled - "
+                                 "please specify interfaces to enable it\n",
+                                 net_dev->name);
+                goto out;
+        }
 
-                return seq_printf(seq, "BATMAN mesh %s "
-                                  "disabled - primary interface not active\n",
-                                  net_dev->name);
+        if (primary_if->if_status != IF_ACTIVE) {
+                ret = seq_printf(seq, "BATMAN mesh %s "
+                                 "disabled - primary interface not active\n",
+                                 net_dev->name);
+                goto out;
         }
 
         seq_printf(seq, "[B.A.T.M.A.N. adv %s%s, MainIF/MAC: %s/%pM (%s)]\n",
                    SOURCE_VERSION, REVISION_VERSION_STR,
-                   bat_priv->primary_if->net_dev->name,
-                   bat_priv->primary_if->net_dev->dev_addr, net_dev->name);
+                   primary_if->net_dev->name,
+                   primary_if->net_dev->dev_addr, net_dev->name);
         seq_printf(seq, "  %-15s %s (%s/%i) %17s [%10s]: %20s ...\n",
                    "Originator", "last-seen", "#", TQ_MAX_VALUE, "Nexthop",
                    "outgoingIF", "Potential nexthops");
@@ -474,7 +479,10 @@ next:
         if (batman_count == 0)
                 seq_printf(seq, "No batman nodes in range ...\n");
 
-        return 0;
+out:
+        if (primary_if)
+                hardif_free_ref(primary_if);
+        return ret;
 }
 
 static int orig_node_add_if(struct orig_node *orig_node, int max_if_num)
diff --git a/net/batman-adv/routing.c b/net/batman-adv/routing.c
index 2d77bd3a3e9a..49f571553050 100644
--- a/net/batman-adv/routing.c
+++ b/net/batman-adv/routing.c
@@ -904,6 +904,7 @@ int recv_bat_packet(struct sk_buff *skb, struct hard_iface *hard_iface)
 static int recv_my_icmp_packet(struct bat_priv *bat_priv,
                                struct sk_buff *skb, size_t icmp_len)
 {
+        struct hard_iface *primary_if = NULL;
         struct orig_node *orig_node = NULL;
         struct neigh_node *router = NULL;
         struct icmp_packet_rr *icmp_packet;
@@ -917,7 +918,8 @@ static int recv_my_icmp_packet(struct bat_priv *bat_priv,
                 goto out;
         }
 
-        if (!bat_priv->primary_if)
+        primary_if = primary_if_get_selected(bat_priv);
+        if (!primary_if)
                 goto out;
 
         /* answer echo request (ping) */
@@ -937,8 +939,7 @@ static int recv_my_icmp_packet(struct bat_priv *bat_priv,
         icmp_packet = (struct icmp_packet_rr *)skb->data;
 
         memcpy(icmp_packet->dst, icmp_packet->orig, ETH_ALEN);
-        memcpy(icmp_packet->orig,
-                bat_priv->primary_if->net_dev->dev_addr, ETH_ALEN);
+        memcpy(icmp_packet->orig, primary_if->net_dev->dev_addr, ETH_ALEN);
         icmp_packet->msg_type = ECHO_REPLY;
         icmp_packet->ttl = TTL;
 
@@ -946,6 +947,8 @@ static int recv_my_icmp_packet(struct bat_priv *bat_priv,
         ret = NET_RX_SUCCESS;
 
 out:
+        if (primary_if)
+                hardif_free_ref(primary_if);
         if (router)
                 neigh_node_free_ref(router);
         if (orig_node)
@@ -956,6 +959,7 @@ out:
 static int recv_icmp_ttl_exceeded(struct bat_priv *bat_priv,
                                   struct sk_buff *skb)
 {
+        struct hard_iface *primary_if = NULL;
         struct orig_node *orig_node = NULL;
         struct neigh_node *router = NULL;
         struct icmp_packet *icmp_packet;
@@ -971,7 +975,8 @@ static int recv_icmp_ttl_exceeded(struct bat_priv *bat_priv,
                 goto out;
         }
 
-        if (!bat_priv->primary_if)
+        primary_if = primary_if_get_selected(bat_priv);
+        if (!primary_if)
                 goto out;
 
         /* get routing information */
@@ -990,8 +995,7 @@ static int recv_icmp_ttl_exceeded(struct bat_priv *bat_priv,
         icmp_packet = (struct icmp_packet *)skb->data;
 
         memcpy(icmp_packet->dst, icmp_packet->orig, ETH_ALEN);
-        memcpy(icmp_packet->orig,
-                bat_priv->primary_if->net_dev->dev_addr, ETH_ALEN);
+        memcpy(icmp_packet->orig, primary_if->net_dev->dev_addr, ETH_ALEN);
         icmp_packet->msg_type = TTL_EXCEEDED;
         icmp_packet->ttl = TTL;
 
@@ -999,6 +1003,8 @@ static int recv_icmp_ttl_exceeded(struct bat_priv *bat_priv,
         ret = NET_RX_SUCCESS;
 
 out:
+        if (primary_if)
+                hardif_free_ref(primary_if);
         if (router)
                 neigh_node_free_ref(router);
         if (orig_node)
diff --git a/net/batman-adv/send.c b/net/batman-adv/send.c
index 7650e2bf187d..02b541a6dfef 100644
--- a/net/batman-adv/send.c
+++ b/net/batman-adv/send.c
@@ -244,6 +244,7 @@ static void rebuild_batman_packet(struct bat_priv *bat_priv,
 void schedule_own_packet(struct hard_iface *hard_iface)
 {
         struct bat_priv *bat_priv = netdev_priv(hard_iface->soft_iface);
+        struct hard_iface *primary_if;
         unsigned long send_time;
         struct batman_packet *batman_packet;
         int vis_server;
@@ -253,6 +254,7 @@ void schedule_own_packet(struct hard_iface *hard_iface)
                 return;
 
         vis_server = atomic_read(&bat_priv->vis_mode);
+        primary_if = primary_if_get_selected(bat_priv);
 
         /**
          * the interface gets activated here to avoid race conditions between
@@ -266,7 +268,7 @@ void schedule_own_packet(struct hard_iface *hard_iface)
 
         /* if local hna has changed and interface is a primary interface */
         if ((atomic_read(&bat_priv->hna_local_changed)) &&
-            (hard_iface == bat_priv->primary_if))
+            (hard_iface == primary_if))
                 rebuild_batman_packet(bat_priv, hard_iface);
 
         /**
@@ -284,7 +286,7 @@ void schedule_own_packet(struct hard_iface *hard_iface)
         else
                 batman_packet->flags &= ~VIS_SERVER;
 
-        if ((hard_iface == bat_priv->primary_if) &&
+        if ((hard_iface == primary_if) &&
             (atomic_read(&bat_priv->gw_mode) == GW_MODE_SERVER))
                 batman_packet->gw_flags =
                                 (uint8_t)atomic_read(&bat_priv->gw_bandwidth);
@@ -299,6 +301,9 @@ void schedule_own_packet(struct hard_iface *hard_iface)
                                hard_iface->packet_buff,
                                hard_iface->packet_len,
                                hard_iface, 1, send_time);
+
+        if (primary_if)
+                hardif_free_ref(primary_if);
 }
 
 void schedule_forward_packet(struct orig_node *orig_node,
@@ -403,6 +408,7 @@ static void _add_bcast_packet_to_list(struct bat_priv *bat_priv,
  * skb is freed. */
 int add_bcast_packet_to_list(struct bat_priv *bat_priv, struct sk_buff *skb)
 {
+        struct hard_iface *primary_if = NULL;
         struct forw_packet *forw_packet;
         struct bcast_packet *bcast_packet;
 
@@ -411,7 +417,8 @@ int add_bcast_packet_to_list(struct bat_priv *bat_priv, struct sk_buff *skb)
                 goto out;
         }
 
-        if (!bat_priv->primary_if)
+        primary_if = primary_if_get_selected(bat_priv);
+        if (!primary_if)
                 goto out;
 
         forw_packet = kmalloc(sizeof(struct forw_packet), GFP_ATOMIC);
@@ -430,7 +437,7 @@ int add_bcast_packet_to_list(struct bat_priv *bat_priv, struct sk_buff *skb)
         skb_reset_mac_header(skb);
 
         forw_packet->skb = skb;
-        forw_packet->if_incoming = bat_priv->primary_if;
+        forw_packet->if_incoming = primary_if;
 
         /* how often did we send the bcast packet ? */
         forw_packet->num_packets = 0;
@@ -443,6 +450,8 @@ packet_free:
 out_and_inc:
         atomic_inc(&bat_priv->bcast_queue_left);
 out:
+        if (primary_if)
+                hardif_free_ref(primary_if);
         return NETDEV_TX_BUSY;
 }
 
diff --git a/net/batman-adv/soft-interface.c b/net/batman-adv/soft-interface.c
index 58ce4400d581..ea5e58c252f0 100644
--- a/net/batman-adv/soft-interface.c
+++ b/net/batman-adv/soft-interface.c
@@ -215,13 +215,24 @@ int softif_neigh_seq_print_text(struct seq_file *seq, void *offset)
         struct net_device *net_dev = (struct net_device *)seq->private;
         struct bat_priv *bat_priv = netdev_priv(net_dev);
         struct softif_neigh *softif_neigh;
+        struct hard_iface *primary_if;
         struct hlist_node *node;
         struct softif_neigh *curr_softif_neigh;
+        int ret = 0;
 
-        if (!bat_priv->primary_if) {
-                return seq_printf(seq, "BATMAN mesh %s disabled - "
-                               "please specify interfaces to enable it\n",
-                               net_dev->name);
+        primary_if = primary_if_get_selected(bat_priv);
+        if (!primary_if) {
+                ret = seq_printf(seq, "BATMAN mesh %s disabled - "
+                                 "please specify interfaces to enable it\n",
+                                 net_dev->name);
+                goto out;
+        }
+
+        if (primary_if->if_status != IF_ACTIVE) {
+                ret = seq_printf(seq, "BATMAN mesh %s "
+                                 "disabled - primary interface not active\n",
+                                 net_dev->name);
+                goto out;
         }
 
         seq_printf(seq, "Softif neighbor list (%s)\n", net_dev->name);
@@ -238,7 +249,10 @@ int softif_neigh_seq_print_text(struct seq_file *seq, void *offset)
         if (curr_softif_neigh)
                 softif_neigh_free_ref(curr_softif_neigh);
 
-        return 0;
+out:
+        if (primary_if)
+                hardif_free_ref(primary_if);
+        return ret;
 }
 
 static void softif_batman_recv(struct sk_buff *skb, struct net_device *dev,
@@ -247,7 +261,8 @@ static void softif_batman_recv(struct sk_buff *skb, struct net_device *dev,
         struct bat_priv *bat_priv = netdev_priv(dev);
         struct ethhdr *ethhdr = (struct ethhdr *)skb->data;
         struct batman_packet *batman_packet;
-        struct softif_neigh *softif_neigh;
+        struct softif_neigh *softif_neigh = NULL;
+        struct hard_iface *primary_if = NULL;
         struct softif_neigh *curr_softif_neigh = NULL;
 
         if (ntohs(ethhdr->h_proto) == ETH_P_8021Q)
@@ -257,28 +272,34 @@ static void softif_batman_recv(struct sk_buff *skb, struct net_device *dev,
                 batman_packet = (struct batman_packet *)(skb->data + ETH_HLEN);
 
         if (batman_packet->version != COMPAT_VERSION)
-                goto err;
+                goto out;
 
         if (batman_packet->packet_type != BAT_PACKET)
-                goto err;
+                goto out;
 
         if (!(batman_packet->flags & PRIMARIES_FIRST_HOP))
-                goto err;
+                goto out;
 
         if (is_my_mac(batman_packet->orig))
-                goto err;
+                goto out;
 
         softif_neigh = softif_neigh_get(bat_priv, batman_packet->orig, vid);
-
         if (!softif_neigh)
-                goto err;
+                goto out;
 
         curr_softif_neigh = softif_neigh_get_selected(bat_priv);
+        if (!curr_softif_neigh)
+                goto out;
+
         if (curr_softif_neigh == softif_neigh)
                 goto out;
 
+        primary_if = primary_if_get_selected(bat_priv);
+        if (!primary_if)
+                goto out;
+
         /* we got a neighbor but its mac is 'bigger' than ours  */
-        if (memcmp(bat_priv->primary_if->net_dev->dev_addr,
+        if (memcmp(primary_if->net_dev->dev_addr,
                    softif_neigh->addr, ETH_ALEN) < 0)
                 goto out;
 
@@ -300,7 +321,7 @@ static void softif_batman_recv(struct sk_buff *skb, struct net_device *dev,
         /* close own batX device and use softif_neigh as exit node */
         if ((!curr_softif_neigh) &&
             (memcmp(softif_neigh->addr,
-                    bat_priv->primary_if->net_dev->dev_addr, ETH_ALEN) < 0)) {
+                    primary_if->net_dev->dev_addr, ETH_ALEN) < 0)) {
                 bat_dbg(DBG_ROUTES, bat_priv,
                         "Setting mesh exit point to %pM (vid: %d).\n",
                         softif_neigh->addr, softif_neigh->vid);
@@ -310,12 +331,13 @@ static void softif_batman_recv(struct sk_buff *skb, struct net_device *dev,
         }
 
 out:
-        softif_neigh_free_ref(softif_neigh);
-err:
         kfree_skb(skb);
+        if (softif_neigh)
+                softif_neigh_free_ref(softif_neigh);
         if (curr_softif_neigh)
                 softif_neigh_free_ref(curr_softif_neigh);
-
+        if (primary_if)
+                hardif_free_ref(primary_if);
         return;
 }
 
@@ -371,6 +393,7 @@ int interface_tx(struct sk_buff *skb, struct net_device *soft_iface)
 {
         struct ethhdr *ethhdr = (struct ethhdr *)skb->data;
         struct bat_priv *bat_priv = netdev_priv(soft_iface);
+        struct hard_iface *primary_if = NULL;
         struct bcast_packet *bcast_packet;
         struct vlan_ethhdr *vhdr;
         struct softif_neigh *curr_softif_neigh = NULL;
@@ -420,7 +443,8 @@ int interface_tx(struct sk_buff *skb, struct net_device *soft_iface)
 
         /* ethernet packet should be broadcasted */
         if (do_bcast) {
-                if (!bat_priv->primary_if)
+                primary_if = primary_if_get_selected(bat_priv);
+                if (!primary_if)
                         goto dropped;
 
                 if (my_skb_head_push(skb, sizeof(struct bcast_packet)) < 0)
@@ -436,7 +460,7 @@ int interface_tx(struct sk_buff *skb, struct net_device *soft_iface)
                 /* hw address of first interface is the orig mac because only
                  * this mac is known throughout the mesh */
                 memcpy(bcast_packet->orig,
-                       bat_priv->primary_if->net_dev->dev_addr, ETH_ALEN);
+                       primary_if->net_dev->dev_addr, ETH_ALEN);
 
                 /* set broadcast sequence number */
                 bcast_packet->seqno =
@@ -466,6 +490,8 @@ dropped_freed:
 end:
         if (curr_softif_neigh)
                 softif_neigh_free_ref(curr_softif_neigh);
+        if (primary_if)
+                hardif_free_ref(primary_if);
         return NETDEV_TX_OK;
 }
 
diff --git a/net/batman-adv/translation-table.c b/net/batman-adv/translation-table.c
index 8d15b48d1692..f931830d630e 100644
--- a/net/batman-adv/translation-table.c
+++ b/net/batman-adv/translation-table.c
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@
 #include "main.h"
 #include "translation-table.h"
 #include "soft-interface.h"
+#include "hard-interface.h"
 #include "hash.h"
 #include "originator.h"
 
@@ -237,16 +238,26 @@ int hna_local_seq_print_text(struct seq_file *seq, void *offset)
         struct bat_priv *bat_priv = netdev_priv(net_dev);
         struct hashtable_t *hash = bat_priv->hna_local_hash;
         struct hna_local_entry *hna_local_entry;
+        struct hard_iface *primary_if;
         struct hlist_node *node;
         struct hlist_head *head;
         size_t buf_size, pos;
         char *buff;
-        int i;
+        int i, ret = 0;
 
-        if (!bat_priv->primary_if) {
-                return seq_printf(seq, "BATMAN mesh %s disabled - "
-                               "please specify interfaces to enable it\n",
-                               net_dev->name);
+        primary_if = primary_if_get_selected(bat_priv);
+        if (!primary_if) {
+                ret = seq_printf(seq, "BATMAN mesh %s disabled - "
+                                 "please specify interfaces to enable it\n",
+                                 net_dev->name);
+                goto out;
+        }
+
+        if (primary_if->if_status != IF_ACTIVE) {
+                ret = seq_printf(seq, "BATMAN mesh %s disabled - "
+                                 "primary interface not active\n",
+                                 net_dev->name);
+                goto out;
         }
 
         seq_printf(seq, "Locally retrieved addresses (from %s) "
@@ -269,7 +280,8 @@ int hna_local_seq_print_text(struct seq_file *seq, void *offset)
         buff = kmalloc(buf_size, GFP_ATOMIC);
         if (!buff) {
                 spin_unlock_bh(&bat_priv->hna_lhash_lock);
-                return -ENOMEM;
+                ret = -ENOMEM;
+                goto out;
         }
 
         buff[0] = '\0';
@@ -291,7 +303,10 @@ int hna_local_seq_print_text(struct seq_file *seq, void *offset)
 
         seq_printf(seq, "%s", buff);
         kfree(buff);
-        return 0;
+out:
+        if (primary_if)
+                hardif_free_ref(primary_if);
+        return ret;
 }
 
 static void _hna_local_del(struct hlist_node *node, void *arg)
@@ -468,16 +483,26 @@ int hna_global_seq_print_text(struct seq_file *seq, void *offset)
         struct bat_priv *bat_priv = netdev_priv(net_dev);
         struct hashtable_t *hash = bat_priv->hna_global_hash;
         struct hna_global_entry *hna_global_entry;
+        struct hard_iface *primary_if;
         struct hlist_node *node;
         struct hlist_head *head;
         size_t buf_size, pos;
         char *buff;
-        int i;
+        int i, ret = 0;
 
-        if (!bat_priv->primary_if) {
-                return seq_printf(seq, "BATMAN mesh %s disabled - "
-                                  "please specify interfaces to enable it\n",
-                                  net_dev->name);
+        primary_if = primary_if_get_selected(bat_priv);
+        if (!primary_if) {
+                ret = seq_printf(seq, "BATMAN mesh %s disabled - please "
+                                 "specify interfaces to enable it\n",
+                                 net_dev->name);
+                goto out;
+        }
+
+        if (primary_if->if_status != IF_ACTIVE) {
+                ret = seq_printf(seq, "BATMAN mesh %s disabled - "
+                                 "primary interface not active\n",
+                                 net_dev->name);
+                goto out;
         }
 
         seq_printf(seq, "Globally announced HNAs received via the mesh %s\n",
@@ -499,7 +524,8 @@ int hna_global_seq_print_text(struct seq_file *seq, void *offset)
         buff = kmalloc(buf_size, GFP_ATOMIC);
         if (!buff) {
                 spin_unlock_bh(&bat_priv->hna_ghash_lock);
-                return -ENOMEM;
+                ret = -ENOMEM;
+                goto out;
         }
         buff[0] = '\0';
         pos = 0;
@@ -522,7 +548,10 @@ int hna_global_seq_print_text(struct seq_file *seq, void *offset)
 
         seq_printf(seq, "%s", buff);
         kfree(buff);
-        return 0;
+out:
+        if (primary_if)
+                hardif_free_ref(primary_if);
+        return ret;
 }
 
 static void _hna_global_del_orig(struct bat_priv *bat_priv,
diff --git a/net/batman-adv/types.h b/net/batman-adv/types.h
index 75123b1ae0de..947bafc6431a 100644
--- a/net/batman-adv/types.h
+++ b/net/batman-adv/types.h
@@ -149,7 +149,6 @@ struct bat_priv {
         struct hlist_head softif_neigh_list;
         struct softif_neigh __rcu *softif_neigh;
         struct debug_log *debug_log;
-        struct hard_iface *primary_if;
         struct kobject *mesh_obj;
         struct dentry *debug_dir;
         struct hlist_head forw_bat_list;
@@ -174,6 +173,7 @@ struct bat_priv {
         struct delayed_work orig_work;
         struct delayed_work vis_work;
         struct gw_node __rcu *curr_gw;  /* rcu protected pointer */
+        struct hard_iface __rcu *primary_if;  /* rcu protected pointer */
         struct vis_info *my_vis_info;
 };
 
diff --git a/net/batman-adv/unicast.c b/net/batman-adv/unicast.c
index d46acc815138..b46cbf1507e4 100644
--- a/net/batman-adv/unicast.c
+++ b/net/batman-adv/unicast.c
@@ -221,15 +221,17 @@ int frag_send_skb(struct sk_buff *skb, struct bat_priv *bat_priv,
                   struct hard_iface *hard_iface, uint8_t dstaddr[])
 {
         struct unicast_packet tmp_uc, *unicast_packet;
+        struct hard_iface *primary_if;
         struct sk_buff *frag_skb;
         struct unicast_frag_packet *frag1, *frag2;
         int uc_hdr_len = sizeof(struct unicast_packet);
         int ucf_hdr_len = sizeof(struct unicast_frag_packet);
         int data_len = skb->len - uc_hdr_len;
-        int large_tail = 0;
+        int large_tail = 0, ret = NET_RX_DROP;
         uint16_t seqno;
 
-        if (!bat_priv->primary_if)
+        primary_if = primary_if_get_selected(bat_priv);
+        if (!primary_if)
                 goto dropped;
 
         frag_skb = dev_alloc_skb(data_len - (data_len / 2) + ucf_hdr_len);
@@ -254,7 +256,7 @@ int frag_send_skb(struct sk_buff *skb, struct bat_priv *bat_priv,
         frag1->version = COMPAT_VERSION;
         frag1->packet_type = BAT_UNICAST_FRAG;
 
-        memcpy(frag1->orig, bat_priv->primary_if->net_dev->dev_addr, ETH_ALEN);
+        memcpy(frag1->orig, primary_if->net_dev->dev_addr, ETH_ALEN);
         memcpy(frag2, frag1, sizeof(struct unicast_frag_packet));
 
         if (data_len & 1)
@@ -269,13 +271,17 @@ int frag_send_skb(struct sk_buff *skb, struct bat_priv *bat_priv,
 
         send_skb_packet(skb, hard_iface, dstaddr);
         send_skb_packet(frag_skb, hard_iface, dstaddr);
-        return NET_RX_SUCCESS;
+        ret = NET_RX_SUCCESS;
+        goto out;
 
 drop_frag:
         kfree_skb(frag_skb);
 dropped:
         kfree_skb(skb);
-        return NET_RX_DROP;
+out:
+        if (primary_if)
+                hardif_free_ref(primary_if);
+        return ret;
 }
 
 int unicast_send_skb(struct sk_buff *skb, struct bat_priv *bat_priv)
diff --git a/net/batman-adv/vis.c b/net/batman-adv/vis.c
index d4cc4f5399f4..c8f571d3b5d4 100644
--- a/net/batman-adv/vis.c
+++ b/net/batman-adv/vis.c
@@ -204,6 +204,7 @@ static ssize_t vis_data_read_entry(char *buff, struct vis_info_entry *entry,
 
 int vis_seq_print_text(struct seq_file *seq, void *offset)
 {
+        struct hard_iface *primary_if;
         struct hlist_node *node;
         struct hlist_head *head;
         struct vis_info *info;
@@ -215,15 +216,18 @@ int vis_seq_print_text(struct seq_file *seq, void *offset)
         HLIST_HEAD(vis_if_list);
         struct if_list_entry *entry;
         struct hlist_node *pos, *n;
-        int i, j;
+        int i, j, ret = 0;
         int vis_server = atomic_read(&bat_priv->vis_mode);
         size_t buff_pos, buf_size;
         char *buff;
         int compare;
 
-        if ((!bat_priv->primary_if) ||
-            (vis_server == VIS_TYPE_CLIENT_UPDATE))
-                return 0;
+        primary_if = primary_if_get_selected(bat_priv);
+        if (!primary_if)
+                goto out;
+
+        if (vis_server == VIS_TYPE_CLIENT_UPDATE)
+                goto out;
 
         buf_size = 1;
         /* Estimate length */
@@ -270,7 +274,8 @@ int vis_seq_print_text(struct seq_file *seq, void *offset)
         buff = kmalloc(buf_size, GFP_ATOMIC);
         if (!buff) {
                 spin_unlock_bh(&bat_priv->vis_hash_lock);
-                return -ENOMEM;
+                ret = -ENOMEM;
+                goto out;
         }
         buff[0] = '\0';
         buff_pos = 0;
@@ -328,7 +333,10 @@ int vis_seq_print_text(struct seq_file *seq, void *offset)
         seq_printf(seq, "%s", buff);
         kfree(buff);
 
-        return 0;
+out:
+        if (primary_if)
+                hardif_free_ref(primary_if);
+        return ret;
 }
 
 /* add the info packet to the send list, if it was not
@@ -815,16 +823,20 @@ out:
 /* only send one vis packet. called from send_vis_packets() */
 static void send_vis_packet(struct bat_priv *bat_priv, struct vis_info *info)
 {
+        struct hard_iface *primary_if;
         struct vis_packet *packet;
 
+        primary_if = primary_if_get_selected(bat_priv);
+        if (!primary_if)
+                goto out;
+
         packet = (struct vis_packet *)info->skb_packet->data;
         if (packet->ttl < 2) {
                 pr_debug("Error - can't send vis packet: ttl exceeded\n");
-                return;
+                goto out;
         }
 
-        memcpy(packet->sender_orig, bat_priv->primary_if->net_dev->dev_addr,
-               ETH_ALEN);
+        memcpy(packet->sender_orig, primary_if->net_dev->dev_addr, ETH_ALEN);
         packet->ttl--;
 
         if (is_broadcast_ether_addr(packet->target_orig))
@@ -832,6 +844,10 @@ static void send_vis_packet(struct bat_priv *bat_priv, struct vis_info *info)
         else
                 unicast_vis_packet(bat_priv, info);
         packet->ttl++; /* restore TTL */
+
+out:
+        if (primary_if)
+                hardif_free_ref(primary_if);
 }
 
 /* called from timer; send (and maybe generate) vis packet. */
@@ -858,8 +874,7 @@ static void send_vis_packets(struct work_struct *work)
                 kref_get(&info->refcount);
                 spin_unlock_bh(&bat_priv->vis_hash_lock);
 
-                if (bat_priv->primary_if)
-                        send_vis_packet(bat_priv, info);
+                send_vis_packet(bat_priv, info);
 
                 spin_lock_bh(&bat_priv->vis_hash_lock);
                 send_list_del(info);