Question on the decision making process for kernel variants' configurations

[Lexi Haley]

Hello and greetings,

I am attempting to gain some insight into the decision making process that
goes into the kernel configuration choices selected for a given variant
kernel.  I have rummaged around the Ubuntu Kernel Wiki, applied search
strings to the downloaded kernel-archive mailing list mbox, and bounced
around on the Ubuntu Launchpad - all without finding either information on
the general review process, or finding specifics on the particular detail
I'm interested in.

What am I interested in exactly?  In the gcp kernel variants the
CONFIG_UNICODE (UTF-8 normalization and casefolding support) option is
disabled.  This configuration option arrived via (assuming I've trawled
around correctly):
https://git.launchpad.net/~canonical-kernel/ubuntu/+source/linux-gcp/+git/eoan/commit/debian.gcp/config/config.common.ubuntu?id=2116ddb07ec8700610fbb17f751d76e0602a6109
, and was set to unset (off).

As to why, there are two guesses I might make:

One: As the gcp kernel variant already exists with a set of known
configuration values, perhaps anything new and considered optional is left
unset, until such time as an issue is made asking for it (example,
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/1849493) - perhaps I
should submit an issue?

Two: Perhaps this specific configuration was left unset per concerns a la
https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2021-21300 - in which
case submitting an issue would probably not be fruitful?  ( though I
believe the post
https://groups.google.com/g/linux.debian.kernel/c/cjjL57wyVYY/m/ld3tC39UBgAJ
makes a nice case for why the CVE isn't precisely cause to leave this
unavailable).

And of course, the rationale might be something I have no clue at - So I am
asking if someone might point me in the right direction - either towards
the background information I seek, or perhaps specifically suggesting that
I open an issue.

My thanks, and I appreciate your time,
Lexi Haley

-- 

Lexi Haley (she/her/hers)

Computer Scientist, System Tools, Advanced Technology Division

Medical Information Technology, Inc.

Office: 781-774-5156 | Mobile: 508-713-2499

lhaley at meditech.com

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