The author successfully proposed a Linux kernel patch to support the $ORIGIN variable in dynamic linker paths, evolving from a direct VFS change to a flexible eBPF-based solution via binfmt_misc. Backed by kernel maintainers and advocates from the Nix and Bazel communities, this update will finally enable reliable relocatable binaries. The patch series is expected to be merged into the kernel's -next branch shortly.
Background
The Linux kernel's dynamic linker historically lacks native support for the $ORIGIN variable, restricting how software packages can reference relative paths. This limitation has long complicated the distribution of self-contained, relocatable binaries across different package managers.
- Source
- Lobsters
- Published
- Jul 21, 2026 at 06:02 PM
- Score
- 7.0 / 10