Building kernel module fails due to CONFIG_RETPOLINE=y but not supported by the compiler

Solution Verified - Updated -

Issue

  • After updated kernel to the version with the retpoline patches no longer able to compile kernel modules.

    /arch/x86/Makefile:166: *** CONFIG_RETPOLINE=y, but not supported by the compiler. Compiler update recommended

  • After updated kernel to the version with the retpoline patches no longer able to use SystemTap.

    # stap -v -g test.stp --all-modules
[...]
/usr/src/kernels/3.10.0-327.65.1.el7.x86_64/arch/x86/Makefile:163: *** CONFIG_RETPOLINE=y, but not supported by the compiler. Toolchain update recommended..  Stop.
WARNING: kbuild exited with status: 2
Pass 4: compiled C into "stap_2f46bb3244dec16cdb8cccc7821af177_5130.ko" in 80usr/110sys/181real ms.
Pass 4: compilation failed.  [man error::pass4]

Environment

  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 (gcc-4.8.5-16.el7 or older)
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 (gcc-4.4.7-18 or older)
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 (gcc-4.1.2-55.el5 or older)
  • kernel with retpoline
  • gcc without retpoline support
  • SystemTap

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