SpinLock rule (wdm)

  • Article

The SpinLock rule specifies that, after calling KeAcquireSpinLock, the driver calls KeReleaseSpinLock before subsequent calls to KeAcquireSpinLock or to KeAcquireSpinLockRaiseToDpc.

Nested calls are permitted if they are acquiring and releasing locks for different resources. Nested calls to acquire or release locks for the same resources violate this rule.

This rule also specifies that the driver has used KeReleaseSpinLock to release all spin locks before the dispatch routine or cancel routine ends.

Driver model: WDM

Bug check(s) found with this rule: Bug Check 0xC4: DRIVER_VERIFIER_DETECTED_VIOLATION (0x00040009)

How to test

At compile time

Run Static Driver Verifier and specify the SpinLock rule.

Use the following steps to run an analysis of your code:
  1. Prepare your code (use role type declarations).
  2. Run Static Driver Verifier.
  3. View and analyze the results.

For more information, see Using Static Driver Verifier to Find Defects in Drivers.
At run time

Run Driver Verifier and select the DDI compliance checking option.

Applies to

KeAcquireSpinLock KeAcquireSpinLockRaiseToDpc KeReleaseSpinLock KeTryToAcquireSpinLockAtDpcLevel