Backporting the Security Fix

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 72 views

Introduction

As part of our ongoing efforts to ensure the security and stability of Redpanda, we are backporting a critical security fix to the v24.1.x branch. This fix addresses a vulnerability that could potentially allow unauthorized access to sensitive data. In this article, we will guide you through the process of backporting this fix and creating a pull request to include the necessary security updates.

Background

The original pull request (PR) that introduced this security fix was merged into the main branch of Redpanda. However, due to the complexity of the changes, it was not possible to automatically cherry-pick the commits into the v24.1.x branch. As a result, a placeholder issue was created to track the backporting process.

Backporting the Security Fix

To backport the security fix, we will follow these steps:

Step 1: Checkout the v24.1.x branch

git checkout v24.1.x

Step 2: Create a new branch for the backport

git checkout -b manual-backport-25327-v24.1.x-490

Step 3: Cherry-pick the commits

git cherry-pick -x 6bf2f8743c aac99042a6 3c49a8ea80

This command will apply the three commits (6bf2f8743c, aac99042a6, and 3c49a8ea80) to the new branch. The -x flag is used to include the original commit message in the new commit message.

Step 4: Push the new branch to the remote repository

git push origin manual-backport-25327-v24.1.x-490

Step 5: Create a pull request

gh pr create \
  --title "[v24.1.x] rpk: bump dependencies to include security fixes" \
  --base "v24.1.x" \
  --label "kind/backport" \
  --head "manual-backport-25327-v24.1.x-490" \
  --draft \
  --repo "redpanda-data/redpanda" \
  --milestone "v24.1.x-next" \
  --body "Backport of PR https://github.com/redpanda-data/redpanda/pull/25327 "

This command will create a new pull request with the specified title, base branch, and head branch. The --draft flag is used to create a draft pull request, which can be reviewed and updated before it is merged.

Conclusion

Backporting security fixes is an essential part of maintaining the security and stability of Redpanda. By following these steps, we can ensure that critical security updates are included in the v24.1.x branch and that our users are protected from potential vulnerabilities. We hope that this article has provided a clear guide to backporting security fixes and creating pull requests in Redpanda.

Additional Resources

FAQs

Q: What is the purpose of backporting security fixes? A: Backporting security fixes ensures that critical security updates are included in older branches of Redpanda, protecting users from potential vulnerabilities.
Q: How do I backport a security fix in Redpanda? A: To backport a security fix, follow the steps outlined in this article, including checking out the correct branch, creating a new branch, cherry-picking the commits, and pushing the new branch to the remote repository.
Q: What is the difference between a draft pull request and a regular pull request? A: A draft pull request is a pull request that has not been reviewed or updated yet. It can be reviewed and updated before it is merged into the main branch.
Redpanda Backporting Security Fixes: A Q&A Guide =====================================================

Introduction

Backporting security fixes is an essential part of maintaining the security and stability of Redpanda. However, it can be a complex process, especially for those who are new to Redpanda or backporting in general. In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about backporting security fixes in Redpanda.

Q: What is backporting, and why is it important?

A: Backporting is the process of applying changes from a newer branch to an older branch. In the context of Redpanda, backporting security fixes ensures that critical security updates are included in older branches, protecting users from potential vulnerabilities.

Q: What is the purpose of backporting security fixes?

A: The primary purpose of backporting security fixes is to ensure that critical security updates are included in older branches of Redpanda. This helps to protect users from potential vulnerabilities and ensures that Redpanda remains secure and stable.

Q: How do I backport a security fix in Redpanda?

A: To backport a security fix in Redpanda, follow these steps:

Checkout the correct branch using git checkout <branch_name>.
Create a new branch using git checkout -b <new_branch_name>.
Cherry-pick the commits using git cherry-pick -x <commit_hash>.
Push the new branch to the remote repository using git push origin <new_branch_name>.
Create a pull request using gh pr create with the specified title, base branch, and head branch.

Q: What is the difference between a draft pull request and a regular pull request?

A: A draft pull request is a pull request that has not been reviewed or updated yet. It can be reviewed and updated before it is merged into the main branch. A regular pull request, on the other hand, is a pull request that has been reviewed and updated and is ready to be merged into the main branch.

Q: How do I create a draft pull request in Redpanda?

A: To create a draft pull request in Redpanda, use the --draft flag when creating the pull request using gh pr create. For example:

gh pr create \
  --title "[v24.1.x] rpk: bump dependencies to include security fixes" \
  --base "v24.1.x" \
  --label "kind/backport" \
  --head "manual-backport-25327-v24.1.x-490" \
  --draft \
  --repo "redpanda-data/redpanda" \
  --milestone "v24.1.x-next" \
  --body "Backport of PR https://github.com/redpanda-data/redpanda/pull/25327 "

Q: How do I update a draft pull request in Redpanda?

A: To update a draft pull request in Redpanda, use the --update flag when updating the pull request using gh pr update. For example:

gh pr update \
  --title "[v24.1.x] rpk: bump dependencies to include security fixes" \
  --base "v24.1.x" \
  --label "kind/backport" \
  --head "manual-backport-25327-v24.1.x-490" \
  --repo "redpanda-data/redpanda" \
  --milestone "v24.1.x-next" \
  --body "Backport of PR https://github.com/redpanda-data/redpanda/pull/25327 "

Q: How do I merge a pull request in Redpanda?

A: To merge a pull request in Redpanda, use the --merge flag when merging the pull request using gh pr merge. For example:

gh pr merge \
  --title "[v24.1.x] rpk: bump dependencies to include security fixes" \
  --base "v24.1.x" \
  --label "kind/backport" \
  --head "manual-backport-25327-v24.1.x-490" \
  --repo "redpanda-data/redpanda" \
  --milestone "v24.1.x-next" \
  --body "Backport of PR https://github.com/redpanda-data/redpanda/pull/25327 "

Conclusion

Backporting security fixes is an essential part of maintaining the security and stability of Redpanda. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can ensure that critical security updates are included in older branches of Redpanda and that your users are protected from potential vulnerabilities.