diff mbox series

[iproute2,2/2] lib/libnetlink: update rtnl_talk to support malloc buff at run time

Message ID 1504865697-27274-3-git-send-email-liuhangbin@gmail.com
State Superseded, archived
Delegated to: stephen hemminger
Headers show
Series malloc correct buff at run time | expand

Commit Message

Hangbin Liu Sept. 8, 2017, 10:14 a.m. UTC
This is an update for 460c03f3f3cc ("iplink: double the buffer size also in
iplink_get()"). After update, we will not need to double the buffer size
every time when VFs number increased.

With call like rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, NULL, 0), we can simply remove the
length parameter.

With call like rtnl_talk(&rth, nlh, nlh, sizeof(req), I add a new variable
answer to avoid overwrite data in nlh, because it may has more info after
nlh. also this will avoid nlh buffer not enough issue.

Signed-off-by: Hangbin Liu <liuhangbin@gmail.com>
---
 bridge/fdb.c         |  2 +-
 bridge/link.c        |  2 +-
 bridge/mdb.c         |  2 +-
 bridge/vlan.c        |  2 +-
 genl/ctrl.c          | 14 ++++++++------
 include/libnetlink.h |  6 +++---
 ip/ipaddress.c       |  5 +++--
 ip/ipaddrlabel.c     |  4 ++--
 ip/ipfou.c           |  4 ++--
 ip/ipila.c           |  4 ++--
 ip/ipl2tp.c          |  8 ++++----
 ip/iplink.c          | 28 +++++++++++-----------------
 ip/iplink_vrf.c      | 24 ++++++++----------------
 ip/ipmacsec.c        |  2 +-
 ip/ipneigh.c         |  2 +-
 ip/ipnetns.c         | 13 +++++++------
 ip/ipntable.c        |  2 +-
 ip/iproute.c         | 20 +++++++++++---------
 ip/iprule.c          |  7 ++++---
 ip/ipseg6.c          |  7 ++++---
 ip/iptoken.c         |  2 +-
 ip/link_gre.c        |  7 ++++---
 ip/link_gre6.c       |  7 ++++---
 ip/link_ip6tnl.c     |  7 ++++---
 ip/link_iptnl.c      |  7 ++++---
 ip/link_vti.c        |  7 ++++---
 ip/link_vti6.c       |  7 ++++---
 ip/tcp_metrics.c     |  7 ++++---
 ip/xfrm_policy.c     | 22 +++++++++++-----------
 ip/xfrm_state.c      | 25 ++++++++++++-------------
 lib/libgenl.c        |  5 +++--
 lib/libnetlink.c     | 20 +++++++++-----------
 misc/ss.c            |  2 +-
 tc/m_action.c        |  9 ++++-----
 tc/tc_class.c        |  2 +-
 tc/tc_filter.c       |  7 ++++---
 tc/tc_qdisc.c        |  2 +-
 37 files changed, 151 insertions(+), 152 deletions(-)

Comments

Phil Sutter Sept. 8, 2017, 11:06 a.m. UTC | #1
Hi Hangbin,

On Fri, Sep 08, 2017 at 06:14:57PM +0800, Hangbin Liu wrote:
[...]
> diff --git a/genl/ctrl.c b/genl/ctrl.c
> index 448988e..699657b 100644
> --- a/genl/ctrl.c
> +++ b/genl/ctrl.c
> @@ -55,6 +55,7 @@ int genl_ctrl_resolve_family(const char *family)
>  	};
>  	struct nlmsghdr *nlh = &req.n;
>  	struct genlmsghdr *ghdr = &req.g;
> +	struct nlmsghdr *answer = NULL;

I don't think it's necessary to assign NULL here or in any of the other
cases.

>  	if (rtnl_open_byproto(&rth, 0, NETLINK_GENERIC) < 0) {
>  		fprintf(stderr, "Cannot open generic netlink socket\n");
> @@ -63,19 +64,19 @@ int genl_ctrl_resolve_family(const char *family)
>  
>  	addattr_l(nlh, 128, CTRL_ATTR_FAMILY_NAME, family, strlen(family) + 1);
>  
> -	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, nlh, nlh, sizeof(req)) < 0) {
> +	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, nlh, &answer) < 0) {

I didn't check, but it's likely that at least in some cases 'nlh'
contains some buffer space to hold the answer (if it will be larger than
the input). If so, this could be dropped since the buffer is no longer
reused.

Apart from that, looks good to me!

Thanks, Phil
Hangbin Liu Sept. 8, 2017, 1:26 p.m. UTC | #2
On Fri, Sep 08, 2017 at 01:06:52PM +0200, Phil Sutter wrote:
> Hi Hangbin,
> 
> On Fri, Sep 08, 2017 at 06:14:57PM +0800, Hangbin Liu wrote:
> [...]
> > diff --git a/genl/ctrl.c b/genl/ctrl.c
> > index 448988e..699657b 100644
> > --- a/genl/ctrl.c
> > +++ b/genl/ctrl.c
> > @@ -55,6 +55,7 @@ int genl_ctrl_resolve_family(const char *family)
> >  	};
> >  	struct nlmsghdr *nlh = &req.n;
> >  	struct genlmsghdr *ghdr = &req.g;
> > +	struct nlmsghdr *answer = NULL;
> 
> I don't think it's necessary to assign NULL here or in any of the other
> cases.

OK
> 
> >  	if (rtnl_open_byproto(&rth, 0, NETLINK_GENERIC) < 0) {
> >  		fprintf(stderr, "Cannot open generic netlink socket\n");
> > @@ -63,19 +64,19 @@ int genl_ctrl_resolve_family(const char *family)
> >  
> >  	addattr_l(nlh, 128, CTRL_ATTR_FAMILY_NAME, family, strlen(family) + 1);
> >  
> > -	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, nlh, nlh, sizeof(req)) < 0) {
> > +	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, nlh, &answer) < 0) {
> 
> I didn't check, but it's likely that at least in some cases 'nlh'
> contains some buffer space to hold the answer (if it will be larger than
> the input). If so, this could be dropped since the buffer is no longer
> reused.

Yes, I will remove the buffer.

Thanks
Hangbin
diff mbox series

Patch

diff --git a/bridge/fdb.c b/bridge/fdb.c
index e5cebf9..807914f 100644
--- a/bridge/fdb.c
+++ b/bridge/fdb.c
@@ -535,7 +535,7 @@  static int fdb_modify(int cmd, int flags, int argc, char **argv)
 		return -1;
 	}
 
-	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, NULL, 0) < 0)
+	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, NULL) < 0)
 		return -1;
 
 	return 0;
diff --git a/bridge/link.c b/bridge/link.c
index 93472ad..cc29a2a 100644
--- a/bridge/link.c
+++ b/bridge/link.c
@@ -426,7 +426,7 @@  static int brlink_modify(int argc, char **argv)
 		addattr_nest_end(&req.n, nest);
 	}
 
-	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, NULL, 0) < 0)
+	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, NULL) < 0)
 		return -1;
 
 	return 0;
diff --git a/bridge/mdb.c b/bridge/mdb.c
index e60ff3e..fbd8184 100644
--- a/bridge/mdb.c
+++ b/bridge/mdb.c
@@ -298,7 +298,7 @@  static int mdb_modify(int cmd, int flags, int argc, char **argv)
 	entry.vid = vid;
 	addattr_l(&req.n, sizeof(req), MDBA_SET_ENTRY, &entry, sizeof(entry));
 
-	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, NULL, 0) < 0)
+	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, NULL) < 0)
 		return -1;
 
 	return 0;
diff --git a/bridge/vlan.c b/bridge/vlan.c
index ebcdace..5d68359 100644
--- a/bridge/vlan.c
+++ b/bridge/vlan.c
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@  static int vlan_modify(int cmd, int argc, char **argv)
 
 	addattr_nest_end(&req.n, afspec);
 
-	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, NULL, 0) < 0)
+	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, NULL) < 0)
 		return -1;
 
 	return 0;
diff --git a/genl/ctrl.c b/genl/ctrl.c
index 448988e..699657b 100644
--- a/genl/ctrl.c
+++ b/genl/ctrl.c
@@ -55,6 +55,7 @@  int genl_ctrl_resolve_family(const char *family)
 	};
 	struct nlmsghdr *nlh = &req.n;
 	struct genlmsghdr *ghdr = &req.g;
+	struct nlmsghdr *answer = NULL;
 
 	if (rtnl_open_byproto(&rth, 0, NETLINK_GENERIC) < 0) {
 		fprintf(stderr, "Cannot open generic netlink socket\n");
@@ -63,19 +64,19 @@  int genl_ctrl_resolve_family(const char *family)
 
 	addattr_l(nlh, 128, CTRL_ATTR_FAMILY_NAME, family, strlen(family) + 1);
 
-	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, nlh, nlh, sizeof(req)) < 0) {
+	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, nlh, &answer) < 0) {
 		fprintf(stderr, "Error talking to the kernel\n");
 		goto errout;
 	}
 
 	{
 		struct rtattr *tb[CTRL_ATTR_MAX + 1];
-		int len = nlh->nlmsg_len;
+		int len = answer->nlmsg_len;
 		struct rtattr *attrs;
 
-		if (nlh->nlmsg_type !=  GENL_ID_CTRL) {
+		if (answer->nlmsg_type !=  GENL_ID_CTRL) {
 			fprintf(stderr, "Not a controller message, nlmsg_len=%d "
-				"nlmsg_type=0x%x\n", nlh->nlmsg_len, nlh->nlmsg_type);
+				"nlmsg_type=0x%x\n", answer->nlmsg_len, answer->nlmsg_type);
 			goto errout;
 		}
 
@@ -299,6 +300,7 @@  static int ctrl_list(int cmd, int argc, char **argv)
 		.g.cmd = CTRL_CMD_GETFAMILY,
 	};
 	struct nlmsghdr *nlh = &req.n;
+	struct nlmsghdr *answer = NULL;
 
 	if (rtnl_open_byproto(&rth, 0, NETLINK_GENERIC) < 0) {
 		fprintf(stderr, "Cannot open generic netlink socket\n");
@@ -331,12 +333,12 @@  static int ctrl_list(int cmd, int argc, char **argv)
 			goto ctrl_done;
 		}
 
-		if (rtnl_talk(&rth, nlh, nlh, sizeof(req)) < 0) {
+		if (rtnl_talk(&rth, nlh, &answer) < 0) {
 			fprintf(stderr, "Error talking to the kernel\n");
 			goto ctrl_done;
 		}
 
-		if (print_ctrl2(NULL, nlh, (void *) stdout) < 0) {
+		if (print_ctrl2(NULL, answer, (void *) stdout) < 0) {
 			fprintf(stderr, "Dump terminated\n");
 			goto ctrl_done;
 		}
diff --git a/include/libnetlink.h b/include/libnetlink.h
index 69257f0..77b6260 100644
--- a/include/libnetlink.h
+++ b/include/libnetlink.h
@@ -93,13 +93,13 @@  int rtnl_dump_filter_nc(struct rtnl_handle *rth,
 #define rtnl_dump_filter(rth, filter, arg) \
 	rtnl_dump_filter_nc(rth, filter, arg, 0)
 int rtnl_talk(struct rtnl_handle *rtnl, struct nlmsghdr *n,
-	      struct nlmsghdr *answer, size_t len)
+	      struct nlmsghdr **answer)
 	__attribute__((warn_unused_result));
 int rtnl_talk_extack(struct rtnl_handle *rtnl, struct nlmsghdr *n,
-	      struct nlmsghdr *answer, size_t len, nl_ext_ack_fn_t errfn)
+	      struct nlmsghdr **answer, nl_ext_ack_fn_t errfn)
 	__attribute__((warn_unused_result));
 int rtnl_talk_suppress_rtnl_errmsg(struct rtnl_handle *rtnl, struct nlmsghdr *n,
-				   struct nlmsghdr *answer, size_t len)
+				   struct nlmsghdr **answer)
 	__attribute__((warn_unused_result));
 int rtnl_send(struct rtnl_handle *rth, const void *buf, int)
 	__attribute__((warn_unused_result));
diff --git a/ip/ipaddress.c b/ip/ipaddress.c
index c9312f0..f84e591 100644
--- a/ip/ipaddress.c
+++ b/ip/ipaddress.c
@@ -1385,12 +1385,13 @@  static int restore_handler(const struct sockaddr_nl *nl,
 			   struct nlmsghdr *n, void *arg)
 {
 	int ret;
+	struct nlmsghdr *answer = NULL;
 
 	n->nlmsg_flags |= NLM_F_REQUEST | NLM_F_CREATE | NLM_F_ACK;
 
 	ll_init_map(&rth);
 
-	ret = rtnl_talk(&rth, n, n, sizeof(*n));
+	ret = rtnl_talk(&rth, n, &answer);
 	if ((ret < 0) && (errno == EEXIST))
 		ret = 0;
 
@@ -2076,7 +2077,7 @@  static int ipaddr_modify(int cmd, int flags, int argc, char **argv)
 		return -1;
 	}
 
-	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, NULL, 0) < 0)
+	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, NULL) < 0)
 		return -2;
 
 	return 0;
diff --git a/ip/ipaddrlabel.c b/ip/ipaddrlabel.c
index 1d324da..6ea9bff 100644
--- a/ip/ipaddrlabel.c
+++ b/ip/ipaddrlabel.c
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@  static int ipaddrlabel_modify(int cmd, int argc, char **argv)
 	if (req.ifal.ifal_family == AF_UNSPEC)
 		req.ifal.ifal_family = AF_INET6;
 
-	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, NULL, 0) < 0)
+	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, NULL) < 0)
 		return -2;
 
 	return 0;
@@ -203,7 +203,7 @@  static int flush_addrlabel(const struct sockaddr_nl *who, struct nlmsghdr *n, vo
 		if (rtnl_open(&rth2, 0) < 0)
 			return -1;
 
-		if (rtnl_talk(&rth2, n, NULL, 0) < 0)
+		if (rtnl_talk(&rth2, n, NULL) < 0)
 			return -2;
 
 		rtnl_close(&rth2);
diff --git a/ip/ipfou.c b/ip/ipfou.c
index 00dbe15..23000dc 100644
--- a/ip/ipfou.c
+++ b/ip/ipfou.c
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@  static int do_add(int argc, char **argv)
 
 	fou_parse_opt(argc, argv, &req.n, true);
 
-	if (rtnl_talk(&genl_rth, &req.n, NULL, 0) < 0)
+	if (rtnl_talk(&genl_rth, &req.n, NULL) < 0)
 		return -2;
 
 	return 0;
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@  static int do_del(int argc, char **argv)
 
 	fou_parse_opt(argc, argv, &req.n, false);
 
-	if (rtnl_talk(&genl_rth, &req.n, NULL, 0) < 0)
+	if (rtnl_talk(&genl_rth, &req.n, NULL) < 0)
 		return -2;
 
 	return 0;
diff --git a/ip/ipila.c b/ip/ipila.c
index 843cc16..0403fc4 100644
--- a/ip/ipila.c
+++ b/ip/ipila.c
@@ -220,7 +220,7 @@  static int do_add(int argc, char **argv)
 
 	ila_parse_opt(argc, argv, &req.n, true);
 
-	if (rtnl_talk(&genl_rth, &req.n, NULL, 0) < 0)
+	if (rtnl_talk(&genl_rth, &req.n, NULL) < 0)
 		return -2;
 
 	return 0;
@@ -232,7 +232,7 @@  static int do_del(int argc, char **argv)
 
 	ila_parse_opt(argc, argv, &req.n, false);
 
-	if (rtnl_talk(&genl_rth, &req.n, NULL, 0) < 0)
+	if (rtnl_talk(&genl_rth, &req.n, NULL) < 0)
 		return -2;
 
 	return 0;
diff --git a/ip/ipl2tp.c b/ip/ipl2tp.c
index 88664c9..742adbe 100644
--- a/ip/ipl2tp.c
+++ b/ip/ipl2tp.c
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@  static int create_tunnel(struct l2tp_parm *p)
 			addattr(&req.n, 1024, L2TP_ATTR_UDP_ZERO_CSUM6_RX);
 	}
 
-	if (rtnl_talk(&genl_rth, &req.n, NULL, 0) < 0)
+	if (rtnl_talk(&genl_rth, &req.n, NULL) < 0)
 		return -2;
 
 	return 0;
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@  static int delete_tunnel(struct l2tp_parm *p)
 
 	addattr32(&req.n, 128, L2TP_ATTR_CONN_ID, p->tunnel_id);
 
-	if (rtnl_talk(&genl_rth, &req.n, NULL, 0) < 0)
+	if (rtnl_talk(&genl_rth, &req.n, NULL) < 0)
 		return -2;
 
 	return 0;
@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@  static int create_session(struct l2tp_parm *p)
 	if (p->ifname && p->ifname[0])
 		addattrstrz(&req.n, 1024, L2TP_ATTR_IFNAME, p->ifname);
 
-	if (rtnl_talk(&genl_rth, &req.n, NULL, 0) < 0)
+	if (rtnl_talk(&genl_rth, &req.n, NULL) < 0)
 		return -2;
 
 	return 0;
@@ -198,7 +198,7 @@  static int delete_session(struct l2tp_parm *p)
 
 	addattr32(&req.n, 1024, L2TP_ATTR_CONN_ID, p->tunnel_id);
 	addattr32(&req.n, 1024, L2TP_ATTR_SESSION_ID, p->session_id);
-	if (rtnl_talk(&genl_rth, &req.n, NULL, 0) < 0)
+	if (rtnl_talk(&genl_rth, &req.n, NULL) < 0)
 		return -2;
 
 	return 0;
diff --git a/ip/iplink.c b/ip/iplink.c
index 72c3479..e078d2a 100644
--- a/ip/iplink.c
+++ b/ip/iplink.c
@@ -248,16 +248,18 @@  static int nl_get_ll_addr_len(unsigned int dev_index)
 			.ifi_index = dev_index,
 		}
 	};
+	struct nlmsghdr *answer = NULL;
 	struct rtattr *tb[IFLA_MAX+1];
 
-	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, &req.n, sizeof(req)) < 0)
+	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, &answer) < 0)
 		return -1;
 
-	len = req.n.nlmsg_len - NLMSG_LENGTH(sizeof(req.i));
+	len = answer->nlmsg_len - NLMSG_LENGTH(sizeof(struct ifinfomsg));
 	if (len < 0)
 		return -1;
 
-	parse_rtattr_flags(tb, IFLA_MAX, IFLA_RTA(&req.i), len, NLA_F_NESTED);
+	parse_rtattr_flags(tb, IFLA_MAX, IFLA_RTA(NLMSG_DATA(answer)),
+			   len, NLA_F_NESTED);
 	if (!tb[IFLA_ADDRESS])
 		return -1;
 
@@ -912,7 +914,7 @@  static int iplink_modify(int cmd, unsigned int flags, int argc, char **argv)
 
 			req.i.ifi_index = 0;
 			addattr32(&req.n, sizeof(req), IFLA_GROUP, group);
-			if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, NULL, 0) < 0)
+			if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, NULL) < 0)
 				return -2;
 			return 0;
 		}
@@ -1007,7 +1009,7 @@  static int iplink_modify(int cmd, unsigned int flags, int argc, char **argv)
 		return -1;
 	}
 
-	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, NULL, 0) < 0)
+	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, NULL) < 0)
 		return -2;
 
 	return 0;
@@ -1022,10 +1024,7 @@  int iplink_get(unsigned int flags, char *name, __u32 filt_mask)
 		.n.nlmsg_type = RTM_GETLINK,
 		.i.ifi_family = preferred_family,
 	};
-	struct {
-		struct nlmsghdr n;
-		char buf[32768];
-	} answer;
+	struct nlmsghdr *answer = NULL;
 
 	if (name) {
 		len = strlen(name) + 1;
@@ -1038,18 +1037,13 @@  int iplink_get(unsigned int flags, char *name, __u32 filt_mask)
 	}
 	addattr32(&req.n, sizeof(req), IFLA_EXT_MASK, filt_mask);
 
-	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, &answer.n, sizeof(answer)) < 0)
-		return -2;
-	if (answer.n.nlmsg_len > sizeof(answer.buf)) {
-		fprintf(stderr, "Message truncated from %u to %lu\n",
-			answer.n.nlmsg_len, sizeof(answer.buf));
+	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, &answer) < 0)
 		return -2;
-	}
 
 	if (brief)
-		print_linkinfo_brief(NULL, &answer.n, stdout, NULL);
+		print_linkinfo_brief(NULL, answer, stdout, NULL);
 	else
-		print_linkinfo(NULL, &answer.n, stdout);
+		print_linkinfo(NULL, answer, stdout);
 
 	return 0;
 }
diff --git a/ip/iplink_vrf.c b/ip/iplink_vrf.c
index 2b85a3a..6dbc8b4 100644
--- a/ip/iplink_vrf.c
+++ b/ip/iplink_vrf.c
@@ -114,10 +114,7 @@  __u32 ipvrf_get_table(const char *name)
 			.ifi_family  = preferred_family,
 		},
 	};
-	struct {
-		struct nlmsghdr n;
-		char buf[8192];
-	} answer;
+	struct nlmsghdr *answer = NULL;
 	struct rtattr *tb[IFLA_MAX+1];
 	struct rtattr *li[IFLA_INFO_MAX+1];
 	struct rtattr *vrf_attr[IFLA_VRF_MAX + 1];
@@ -127,8 +124,7 @@  __u32 ipvrf_get_table(const char *name)
 
 	addattr_l(&req.n, sizeof(req), IFLA_IFNAME, name, strlen(name) + 1);
 
-	if (rtnl_talk_suppress_rtnl_errmsg(&rth, &req.n,
-					   &answer.n, sizeof(answer)) < 0) {
+	if (rtnl_talk_suppress_rtnl_errmsg(&rth, &req.n, &answer) < 0) {
 		/* special case "default" vrf to be the main table */
 		if (errno == ENODEV && !strcmp(name, "default"))
 			if (rtnl_rttable_a2n(&tb_id, "main"))
@@ -138,8 +134,8 @@  __u32 ipvrf_get_table(const char *name)
 		return tb_id;
 	}
 
-	ifi = NLMSG_DATA(&answer.n);
-	len = answer.n.nlmsg_len - NLMSG_LENGTH(sizeof(*ifi));
+	ifi = NLMSG_DATA(answer);
+	len = answer->nlmsg_len - NLMSG_LENGTH(sizeof(*ifi));
 	if (len < 0) {
 		fprintf(stderr, "BUG: Invalid response to link query.\n");
 		return 0;
@@ -184,10 +180,7 @@  int name_is_vrf(const char *name)
 			.ifi_family  = preferred_family,
 		},
 	};
-	struct {
-		struct nlmsghdr n;
-		char buf[8192];
-	} answer;
+	struct nlmsghdr *answer = NULL;
 	struct rtattr *tb[IFLA_MAX+1];
 	struct rtattr *li[IFLA_INFO_MAX+1];
 	struct ifinfomsg *ifi;
@@ -195,12 +188,11 @@  int name_is_vrf(const char *name)
 
 	addattr_l(&req.n, sizeof(req), IFLA_IFNAME, name, strlen(name) + 1);
 
-	if (rtnl_talk_suppress_rtnl_errmsg(&rth, &req.n,
-					   &answer.n, sizeof(answer)) < 0)
+	if (rtnl_talk_suppress_rtnl_errmsg(&rth, &req.n, &answer) < 0)
 		return 0;
 
-	ifi = NLMSG_DATA(&answer.n);
-	len = answer.n.nlmsg_len - NLMSG_LENGTH(sizeof(*ifi));
+	ifi = NLMSG_DATA(answer);
+	len = answer->nlmsg_len - NLMSG_LENGTH(sizeof(*ifi));
 	if (len < 0) {
 		fprintf(stderr, "BUG: Invalid response to link query.\n");
 		return 0;
diff --git a/ip/ipmacsec.c b/ip/ipmacsec.c
index aa89a00..9a2d0eb 100644
--- a/ip/ipmacsec.c
+++ b/ip/ipmacsec.c
@@ -421,7 +421,7 @@  static int do_modify_nl(enum cmd c, enum macsec_nl_commands cmd, int ifindex,
 	addattr_nest_end(&req.n, attr_sa);
 
 talk:
-	if (rtnl_talk(&genl_rth, &req.n, NULL, 0) < 0)
+	if (rtnl_talk(&genl_rth, &req.n, NULL) < 0)
 		return -2;
 
 	return 0;
diff --git a/ip/ipneigh.c b/ip/ipneigh.c
index 9c38a60..32f2d55 100644
--- a/ip/ipneigh.c
+++ b/ip/ipneigh.c
@@ -184,7 +184,7 @@  static int ipneigh_modify(int cmd, int flags, int argc, char **argv)
 		return -1;
 	}
 
-	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, NULL, 0) < 0)
+	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, NULL) < 0)
 		exit(2);
 
 	return 0;
diff --git a/ip/ipnetns.c b/ip/ipnetns.c
index afb4978..628dfb1 100644
--- a/ip/ipnetns.c
+++ b/ip/ipnetns.c
@@ -95,12 +95,13 @@  static int get_netnsid_from_name(const char *name)
 		struct nlmsghdr n;
 		struct rtgenmsg g;
 		char            buf[1024];
-	} answer, req = {
+	} req = {
 		.n.nlmsg_len = NLMSG_LENGTH(sizeof(struct rtgenmsg)),
 		.n.nlmsg_flags = NLM_F_REQUEST,
 		.n.nlmsg_type = RTM_GETNSID,
 		.g.rtgen_family = AF_UNSPEC,
 	};
+	struct nlmsghdr *answer = NULL;
 	struct rtattr *tb[NETNSA_MAX + 1];
 	struct rtgenmsg *rthdr;
 	int len, fd;
@@ -110,18 +111,18 @@  static int get_netnsid_from_name(const char *name)
 		return fd;
 
 	addattr32(&req.n, 1024, NETNSA_FD, fd);
-	if (rtnl_talk(&rtnsh, &req.n, &answer.n, sizeof(answer)) < 0) {
+	if (rtnl_talk(&rtnsh, &req.n, &answer) < 0) {
 		close(fd);
 		return -2;
 	}
 	close(fd);
 
 	/* Validate message and parse attributes */
-	if (answer.n.nlmsg_type == NLMSG_ERROR)
+	if (answer->nlmsg_type == NLMSG_ERROR)
 		return -1;
 
-	rthdr = NLMSG_DATA(&answer.n);
-	len = answer.n.nlmsg_len - NLMSG_SPACE(sizeof(*rthdr));
+	rthdr = NLMSG_DATA(answer);
+	len = answer->nlmsg_len - NLMSG_SPACE(sizeof(*rthdr));
 	if (len < 0)
 		return -1;
 
@@ -689,7 +690,7 @@  static int set_netnsid_from_name(const char *name, int nsid)
 
 	addattr32(&req.n, 1024, NETNSA_FD, fd);
 	addattr32(&req.n, 1024, NETNSA_NSID, nsid);
-	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, NULL, 0) < 0)
+	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, NULL) < 0)
 		err = -2;
 
 	close(fd);
diff --git a/ip/ipntable.c b/ip/ipntable.c
index 88236ce..2f72c98 100644
--- a/ip/ipntable.c
+++ b/ip/ipntable.c
@@ -304,7 +304,7 @@  static int ipntable_modify(int cmd, int flags, int argc, char **argv)
 			  RTA_PAYLOAD(parms_rta));
 	}
 
-	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, NULL, 0) < 0)
+	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, NULL) < 0)
 		exit(2);
 
 	return 0;
diff --git a/ip/iproute.c b/ip/iproute.c
index 83fd70c..aa929d9 100644
--- a/ip/iproute.c
+++ b/ip/iproute.c
@@ -1298,7 +1298,7 @@  static int iproute_modify(int cmd, unsigned int flags, int argc, char **argv)
 	if (!type_ok && req.r.rtm_family == AF_MPLS)
 		req.r.rtm_type = RTN_UNICAST;
 
-	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, NULL, 0) < 0)
+	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, NULL) < 0)
 		return -2;
 
 	return 0;
@@ -1678,6 +1678,7 @@  static int iproute_get(int argc, char **argv)
 	};
 	char  *idev = NULL;
 	char  *odev = NULL;
+	struct nlmsghdr *answer = NULL;
 	int connected = 0;
 	int fib_match = 0;
 	int from_ok = 0;
@@ -1798,20 +1799,20 @@  static int iproute_get(int argc, char **argv)
 	if (fib_match)
 		req.r.rtm_flags |= RTM_F_FIB_MATCH;
 
-	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, &req.n, sizeof(req)) < 0)
+	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, &answer) < 0)
 		return -2;
 
 	if (connected && !from_ok) {
-		struct rtmsg *r = NLMSG_DATA(&req.n);
-		int len = req.n.nlmsg_len;
+		struct rtmsg *r = NLMSG_DATA(answer);
+		int len = answer->nlmsg_len;
 		struct rtattr *tb[RTA_MAX+1];
 
-		if (print_route(NULL, &req.n, (void *)stdout) < 0) {
+		if (print_route(NULL, answer, (void *)stdout) < 0) {
 			fprintf(stderr, "An error :-)\n");
 			return -1;
 		}
 
-		if (req.n.nlmsg_type != RTM_NEWROUTE) {
+		if (answer->nlmsg_type != RTM_NEWROUTE) {
 			fprintf(stderr, "Not a route?\n");
 			return -1;
 		}
@@ -1841,11 +1842,11 @@  static int iproute_get(int argc, char **argv)
 		req.n.nlmsg_flags = NLM_F_REQUEST;
 		req.n.nlmsg_type = RTM_GETROUTE;
 
-		if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, &req.n, sizeof(req)) < 0)
+		if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, &answer) < 0)
 			return -2;
 	}
 
-	if (print_route(NULL, &req.n, (void *)stdout) < 0) {
+	if (print_route(NULL, answer, (void *)stdout) < 0) {
 		fprintf(stderr, "An error :-)\n");
 		return -1;
 	}
@@ -1869,6 +1870,7 @@  static int restore_handler(const struct sockaddr_nl *nl,
 	struct rtattr *tb[RTA_MAX+1];
 	int len = n->nlmsg_len - NLMSG_LENGTH(sizeof(*r));
 	int ret, prio = *(int *)arg;
+	struct nlmsghdr *answer = NULL;
 
 	parse_rtattr(tb, RTA_MAX, RTM_RTA(r), len);
 
@@ -1893,7 +1895,7 @@  restore:
 
 	ll_init_map(&rth);
 
-	ret = rtnl_talk(&rth, n, n, sizeof(*n));
+	ret = rtnl_talk(&rth, n, &answer);
 	if ((ret < 0) && (errno == EEXIST))
 		ret = 0;
 
diff --git a/ip/iprule.c b/ip/iprule.c
index 8313138..872cfd2 100644
--- a/ip/iprule.c
+++ b/ip/iprule.c
@@ -393,7 +393,7 @@  static int flush_rule(const struct sockaddr_nl *who, struct nlmsghdr *n,
 		if (rtnl_open(&rth2, 0) < 0)
 			return -1;
 
-		if (rtnl_talk(&rth2, n, NULL, 0) < 0)
+		if (rtnl_talk(&rth2, n, NULL) < 0)
 			return -2;
 
 		rtnl_close(&rth2);
@@ -548,12 +548,13 @@  static int restore_handler(const struct sockaddr_nl *nl,
 			   struct nlmsghdr *n, void *arg)
 {
 	int ret;
+	struct nlmsghdr *answer = NULL;
 
 	n->nlmsg_flags |= NLM_F_REQUEST | NLM_F_CREATE | NLM_F_ACK;
 
 	ll_init_map(&rth);
 
-	ret = rtnl_talk(&rth, n, n, sizeof(*n));
+	ret = rtnl_talk(&rth, n, &answer);
 	if ((ret < 0) && (errno == EEXIST))
 		ret = 0;
 
@@ -760,7 +761,7 @@  static int iprule_modify(int cmd, int argc, char **argv)
 	if (!table_ok && cmd == RTM_NEWRULE)
 		req.r.rtm_table = RT_TABLE_MAIN;
 
-	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, NULL, 0) < 0)
+	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, NULL) < 0)
 		return -2;
 
 	return 0;
diff --git a/ip/ipseg6.c b/ip/ipseg6.c
index a8f5c69..6d7b1d0 100644
--- a/ip/ipseg6.c
+++ b/ip/ipseg6.c
@@ -125,6 +125,7 @@  static int process_msg(const struct sockaddr_nl *who, struct nlmsghdr *n,
 static int seg6_do_cmd(void)
 {
 	SEG6_REQUEST(req, 1024, opts.cmd, NLM_F_REQUEST);
+	struct nlmsghdr *answer = NULL;
 	int repl = 0, dump = 0;
 
 	if (genl_family < 0) {
@@ -163,12 +164,12 @@  static int seg6_do_cmd(void)
 	}
 
 	if (!repl && !dump) {
-		if (rtnl_talk(&grth, &req.n, NULL, 0) < 0)
+		if (rtnl_talk(&grth, &req.n, NULL) < 0)
 			return -1;
 	} else if (repl) {
-		if (rtnl_talk(&grth, &req.n, &req.n, sizeof(req)) < 0)
+		if (rtnl_talk(&grth, &req.n, &answer) < 0)
 			return -2;
-		if (process_msg(NULL, &req.n, stdout) < 0) {
+		if (process_msg(NULL, answer, stdout) < 0) {
 			fprintf(stderr, "Error parsing reply\n");
 			exit(1);
 		}
diff --git a/ip/iptoken.c b/ip/iptoken.c
index 1869f76..0528bad 100644
--- a/ip/iptoken.c
+++ b/ip/iptoken.c
@@ -166,7 +166,7 @@  static int iptoken_set(int argc, char **argv, bool delete)
 	addattr_nest_end(&req.n, afs6);
 	addattr_nest_end(&req.n, afs);
 
-	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, NULL, 0) < 0)
+	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, NULL) < 0)
 		return -2;
 
 	return 0;
diff --git a/ip/link_gre.c b/ip/link_gre.c
index c2ec5f2..21131ab 100644
--- a/ip/link_gre.c
+++ b/ip/link_gre.c
@@ -75,6 +75,7 @@  static int gre_parse_opt(struct link_util *lu, int argc, char **argv,
 		.i.ifi_family = preferred_family,
 		.i.ifi_index = ifi->ifi_index,
 	};
+	struct nlmsghdr *answer = NULL;
 	struct rtattr *tb[IFLA_MAX + 1];
 	struct rtattr *linkinfo[IFLA_INFO_MAX+1];
 	struct rtattr *greinfo[IFLA_GRE_MAX + 1];
@@ -98,19 +99,19 @@  static int gre_parse_opt(struct link_util *lu, int argc, char **argv,
 	__u32 fwmark = 0;
 
 	if (!(n->nlmsg_flags & NLM_F_CREATE)) {
-		if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, &req.n, sizeof(req)) < 0) {
+		if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, &answer) < 0) {
 get_failed:
 			fprintf(stderr,
 				"Failed to get existing tunnel info.\n");
 			return -1;
 		}
 
-		len = req.n.nlmsg_len;
+		len = answer->nlmsg_len;
 		len -= NLMSG_LENGTH(sizeof(*ifi));
 		if (len < 0)
 			goto get_failed;
 
-		parse_rtattr(tb, IFLA_MAX, IFLA_RTA(&req.i), len);
+		parse_rtattr(tb, IFLA_MAX, IFLA_RTA(answer + sizeof(struct nlmsghdr)), len);
 
 		if (!tb[IFLA_LINKINFO])
 			goto get_failed;
diff --git a/ip/link_gre6.c b/ip/link_gre6.c
index 78b5215..98e689e 100644
--- a/ip/link_gre6.c
+++ b/ip/link_gre6.c
@@ -86,6 +86,7 @@  static int gre_parse_opt(struct link_util *lu, int argc, char **argv,
 		.i.ifi_family = preferred_family,
 		.i.ifi_index = ifi->ifi_index,
 	};
+	struct nlmsghdr *answer = NULL;
 	struct rtattr *tb[IFLA_MAX + 1];
 	struct rtattr *linkinfo[IFLA_INFO_MAX+1];
 	struct rtattr *greinfo[IFLA_GRE_MAX + 1];
@@ -108,19 +109,19 @@  static int gre_parse_opt(struct link_util *lu, int argc, char **argv,
 	__u32 fwmark = 0;
 
 	if (!(n->nlmsg_flags & NLM_F_CREATE)) {
-		if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, &req.n, sizeof(req)) < 0) {
+		if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, &answer) < 0) {
 get_failed:
 			fprintf(stderr,
 				"Failed to get existing tunnel info.\n");
 			return -1;
 		}
 
-		len = req.n.nlmsg_len;
+		len = answer->nlmsg_len;
 		len -= NLMSG_LENGTH(sizeof(*ifi));
 		if (len < 0)
 			goto get_failed;
 
-		parse_rtattr(tb, IFLA_MAX, IFLA_RTA(&req.i), len);
+		parse_rtattr(tb, IFLA_MAX, IFLA_RTA(NLMSG_DATA(answer)), len);
 
 		if (!tb[IFLA_LINKINFO])
 			goto get_failed;
diff --git a/ip/link_ip6tnl.c b/ip/link_ip6tnl.c
index 505fb47..19e0ca6 100644
--- a/ip/link_ip6tnl.c
+++ b/ip/link_ip6tnl.c
@@ -83,6 +83,7 @@  static int ip6tunnel_parse_opt(struct link_util *lu, int argc, char **argv,
 		.i.ifi_family = preferred_family,
 		.i.ifi_index = ifi->ifi_index,
 	};
+	struct nlmsghdr *answer = NULL;
 	struct rtattr *tb[IFLA_MAX + 1];
 	struct rtattr *linkinfo[IFLA_INFO_MAX+1];
 	struct rtattr *iptuninfo[IFLA_IPTUN_MAX + 1];
@@ -103,19 +104,19 @@  static int ip6tunnel_parse_opt(struct link_util *lu, int argc, char **argv,
 	__u32 fwmark = 0;
 
 	if (!(n->nlmsg_flags & NLM_F_CREATE)) {
-		if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, &req.n, sizeof(req)) < 0) {
+		if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, &answer) < 0) {
 get_failed:
 			fprintf(stderr,
 				"Failed to get existing tunnel info.\n");
 			return -1;
 		}
 
-		len = req.n.nlmsg_len;
+		len = answer->nlmsg_len;
 		len -= NLMSG_LENGTH(sizeof(*ifi));
 		if (len < 0)
 			goto get_failed;
 
-		parse_rtattr(tb, IFLA_MAX, IFLA_RTA(&req.i), len);
+		parse_rtattr(tb, IFLA_MAX, IFLA_RTA(NLMSG_DATA(answer)), len);
 
 		if (!tb[IFLA_LINKINFO])
 			goto get_failed;
diff --git a/ip/link_iptnl.c b/ip/link_iptnl.c
index d24e737..0ea957b 100644
--- a/ip/link_iptnl.c
+++ b/ip/link_iptnl.c
@@ -84,6 +84,7 @@  static int iptunnel_parse_opt(struct link_util *lu, int argc, char **argv,
 		.i.ifi_family = preferred_family,
 		.i.ifi_index = ifi->ifi_index,
 	};
+	struct nlmsghdr *answer = NULL;
 	struct rtattr *tb[IFLA_MAX + 1];
 	struct rtattr *linkinfo[IFLA_INFO_MAX+1];
 	struct rtattr *iptuninfo[IFLA_IPTUN_MAX + 1];
@@ -108,19 +109,19 @@  static int iptunnel_parse_opt(struct link_util *lu, int argc, char **argv,
 	__u32 fwmark = 0;
 
 	if (!(n->nlmsg_flags & NLM_F_CREATE)) {
-		if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, &req.n, sizeof(req)) < 0) {
+		if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, &answer) < 0) {
 get_failed:
 			fprintf(stderr,
 				"Failed to get existing tunnel info.\n");
 			return -1;
 		}
 
-		len = req.n.nlmsg_len;
+		len = answer->nlmsg_len;
 		len -= NLMSG_LENGTH(sizeof(*ifi));
 		if (len < 0)
 			goto get_failed;
 
-		parse_rtattr(tb, IFLA_MAX, IFLA_RTA(&req.i), len);
+		parse_rtattr(tb, IFLA_MAX, IFLA_RTA(NLMSG_DATA(answer)), len);
 
 		if (!tb[IFLA_LINKINFO])
 			goto get_failed;
diff --git a/ip/link_vti.c b/ip/link_vti.c
index 3ffecfa..de15b4a 100644
--- a/ip/link_vti.c
+++ b/ip/link_vti.c
@@ -61,6 +61,7 @@  static int vti_parse_opt(struct link_util *lu, int argc, char **argv,
 		.i.ifi_family = preferred_family,
 		.i.ifi_index = ifi->ifi_index,
 	};
+	struct nlmsghdr *answer = NULL;
 	struct rtattr *tb[IFLA_MAX + 1];
 	struct rtattr *linkinfo[IFLA_INFO_MAX+1];
 	struct rtattr *vtiinfo[IFLA_VTI_MAX + 1];
@@ -73,19 +74,19 @@  static int vti_parse_opt(struct link_util *lu, int argc, char **argv,
 	int len;
 
 	if (!(n->nlmsg_flags & NLM_F_CREATE)) {
-		if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, &req.n, sizeof(req)) < 0) {
+		if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, &answer) < 0) {
 get_failed:
 			fprintf(stderr,
 				"Failed to get existing tunnel info.\n");
 			return -1;
 		}
 
-		len = req.n.nlmsg_len;
+		len = answer->nlmsg_len;
 		len -= NLMSG_LENGTH(sizeof(*ifi));
 		if (len < 0)
 			goto get_failed;
 
-		parse_rtattr(tb, IFLA_MAX, IFLA_RTA(&req.i), len);
+		parse_rtattr(tb, IFLA_MAX, IFLA_RTA(NLMSG_DATA(answer)), len);
 
 		if (!tb[IFLA_LINKINFO])
 			goto get_failed;
diff --git a/ip/link_vti6.c b/ip/link_vti6.c
index 6ea1fc2..663ee03 100644
--- a/ip/link_vti6.c
+++ b/ip/link_vti6.c
@@ -56,6 +56,7 @@  static int vti6_parse_opt(struct link_util *lu, int argc, char **argv,
 		.i.ifi_family = preferred_family,
 		.i.ifi_index = ifi->ifi_index,
 	};
+	struct nlmsghdr *answer = NULL;
 	struct rtattr *tb[IFLA_MAX + 1];
 	struct rtattr *linkinfo[IFLA_INFO_MAX+1];
 	struct rtattr *vtiinfo[IFLA_VTI_MAX + 1];
@@ -68,19 +69,19 @@  static int vti6_parse_opt(struct link_util *lu, int argc, char **argv,
 	int len;
 
 	if (!(n->nlmsg_flags & NLM_F_CREATE)) {
-		if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, &req.n, sizeof(req)) < 0) {
+		if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, &answer) < 0) {
 get_failed:
 			fprintf(stderr,
 				"Failed to get existing tunnel info.\n");
 			return -1;
 		}
 
-		len = req.n.nlmsg_len;
+		len = answer->nlmsg_len;
 		len -= NLMSG_LENGTH(sizeof(*ifi));
 		if (len < 0)
 			goto get_failed;
 
-		parse_rtattr(tb, IFLA_MAX, IFLA_RTA(&req.i), len);
+		parse_rtattr(tb, IFLA_MAX, IFLA_RTA(NLMSG_DATA(answer)), len);
 
 		if (!tb[IFLA_LINKINFO])
 			goto get_failed;
diff --git a/ip/tcp_metrics.c b/ip/tcp_metrics.c
index 8972acd..547d791 100644
--- a/ip/tcp_metrics.c
+++ b/ip/tcp_metrics.c
@@ -306,6 +306,7 @@  static int process_msg(const struct sockaddr_nl *who, struct nlmsghdr *n,
 static int tcpm_do_cmd(int cmd, int argc, char **argv)
 {
 	TCPM_REQUEST(req, 1024, TCP_METRICS_CMD_GET, NLM_F_REQUEST);
+	struct nlmsghdr *answer = NULL;
 	int atype = -1, stype = -1;
 	int ack;
 
@@ -457,12 +458,12 @@  static int tcpm_do_cmd(int cmd, int argc, char **argv)
 	}
 
 	if (ack) {
-		if (rtnl_talk(&grth, &req.n, NULL, 0) < 0)
+		if (rtnl_talk(&grth, &req.n, NULL) < 0)
 			return -2;
 	} else if (atype >= 0) {
-		if (rtnl_talk(&grth, &req.n, &req.n, sizeof(req)) < 0)
+		if (rtnl_talk(&grth, &req.n, &answer) < 0)
 			return -2;
-		if (process_msg(NULL, &req.n, stdout) < 0) {
+		if (process_msg(NULL, answer, stdout) < 0) {
 			fprintf(stderr, "Dump terminated\n");
 			exit(1);
 		}
diff --git a/ip/xfrm_policy.c b/ip/xfrm_policy.c
index de689c4..c794779 100644
--- a/ip/xfrm_policy.c
+++ b/ip/xfrm_policy.c
@@ -386,7 +386,7 @@  static int xfrm_policy_modify(int cmd, unsigned int flags, int argc, char **argv
 	if (req.xpinfo.sel.family == AF_UNSPEC)
 		req.xpinfo.sel.family = AF_INET;
 
-	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, NULL, 0) < 0)
+	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, NULL) < 0)
 		exit(2);
 
 	rtnl_close(&rth);
@@ -548,7 +548,7 @@  int xfrm_policy_print(const struct sockaddr_nl *who, struct nlmsghdr *n,
 }
 
 static int xfrm_policy_get_or_delete(int argc, char **argv, int delete,
-				     void *res_nlbuf, size_t res_size)
+				     struct nlmsghdr **answer)
 {
 	struct rtnl_handle rth;
 	struct {
@@ -659,7 +659,7 @@  static int xfrm_policy_get_or_delete(int argc, char **argv, int delete,
 			  (void *)&ctx, ctx.sctx.len);
 	}
 
-	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, res_nlbuf, res_size) < 0)
+	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, answer) < 0)
 		exit(2);
 
 	rtnl_close(&rth);
@@ -669,15 +669,14 @@  static int xfrm_policy_get_or_delete(int argc, char **argv, int delete,
 
 static int xfrm_policy_delete(int argc, char **argv)
 {
-	return xfrm_policy_get_or_delete(argc, argv, 1, NULL, 0);
+	return xfrm_policy_get_or_delete(argc, argv, 1, NULL);
 }
 
 static int xfrm_policy_get(int argc, char **argv)
 {
-	char buf[NLMSG_BUF_SIZE] = {};
-	struct nlmsghdr *n = (struct nlmsghdr *)buf;
+	struct nlmsghdr *n = NULL;
 
-	xfrm_policy_get_or_delete(argc, argv, 0, n, sizeof(buf));
+	xfrm_policy_get_or_delete(argc, argv, 0, &n);
 
 	if (xfrm_policy_print(NULL, n, (void *)stdout) < 0) {
 		fprintf(stderr, "An error :-)\n");
@@ -1049,7 +1048,7 @@  static int xfrm_spd_setinfo(int argc, char **argv)
 	if (rtnl_open_byproto(&rth, 0, NETLINK_XFRM) < 0)
 		exit(1);
 
-	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, NULL, 0) < 0)
+	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, NULL) < 0)
 		exit(2);
 
 	rtnl_close(&rth);
@@ -1070,14 +1069,15 @@  static int xfrm_spd_getinfo(int argc, char **argv)
 		.n.nlmsg_type = XFRM_MSG_GETSPDINFO,
 		.flags = 0XFFFFFFFF,
 	};
+	struct nlmsghdr *answer = NULL;
 
 	if (rtnl_open_byproto(&rth, 0, NETLINK_XFRM) < 0)
 		exit(1);
 
-	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, &req.n, sizeof(req)) < 0)
+	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, &answer) < 0)
 		exit(2);
 
-	print_spdinfo(&req.n, (void *)stdout);
+	print_spdinfo(answer, (void *)stdout);
 
 	rtnl_close(&rth);
 
@@ -1123,7 +1123,7 @@  static int xfrm_policy_flush(int argc, char **argv)
 	if (show_stats > 1)
 		fprintf(stderr, "Flush policy\n");
 
-	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, NULL, 0) < 0)
+	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, NULL) < 0)
 		exit(2);
 
 	rtnl_close(&rth);
diff --git a/ip/xfrm_state.c b/ip/xfrm_state.c
index 4483fb8..02d3efa 100644
--- a/ip/xfrm_state.c
+++ b/ip/xfrm_state.c
@@ -726,7 +726,7 @@  static int xfrm_state_modify(int cmd, unsigned int flags, int argc, char **argv)
 	if (req.xsinfo.family == AF_UNSPEC)
 		req.xsinfo.family = AF_INET;
 
-	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, NULL, 0) < 0)
+	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, NULL) < 0)
 		exit(2);
 
 	rtnl_close(&rth);
@@ -757,8 +757,7 @@  static int xfrm_state_allocspi(int argc, char **argv)
 	char *minp = NULL;
 	char *maxp = NULL;
 	struct xfrm_mark mark = {0, 0};
-	char res_buf[NLMSG_BUF_SIZE] = {};
-	struct nlmsghdr *res_n = (struct nlmsghdr *)res_buf;
+	struct nlmsghdr *answer = NULL;
 
 	while (argc > 0) {
 		if (strcmp(*argv, "mode") == 0) {
@@ -858,10 +857,10 @@  static int xfrm_state_allocspi(int argc, char **argv)
 		req.xspi.info.family = AF_INET;
 
 
-	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, res_n, sizeof(res_buf)) < 0)
+	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, &answer) < 0)
 		exit(2);
 
-	if (xfrm_state_print(NULL, res_n, (void *)stdout) < 0) {
+	if (xfrm_state_print(NULL, answer, (void *)stdout) < 0) {
 		fprintf(stderr, "An error :-)\n");
 		exit(1);
 	}
@@ -1046,16 +1045,15 @@  static int xfrm_state_get_or_delete(int argc, char **argv, int delete)
 		req.xsid.family = AF_INET;
 
 	if (delete) {
-		if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, NULL, 0) < 0)
+		if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, NULL) < 0)
 			exit(2);
 	} else {
-		char buf[NLMSG_BUF_SIZE] = {};
-		struct nlmsghdr *res_n = (struct nlmsghdr *)buf;
+		struct nlmsghdr *answer = NULL;
 
-		if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, res_n, sizeof(req)) < 0)
+		if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, &answer) < 0)
 			exit(2);
 
-		if (xfrm_state_print(NULL, res_n, (void *)stdout) < 0) {
+		if (xfrm_state_print(NULL, answer, (void *)stdout) < 0) {
 			fprintf(stderr, "An error :-)\n");
 			exit(1);
 		}
@@ -1321,14 +1319,15 @@  static int xfrm_sad_getinfo(int argc, char **argv)
 		.n.nlmsg_type = XFRM_MSG_GETSADINFO,
 		.flags = 0XFFFFFFFF,
 	};
+	struct nlmsghdr *answer = NULL;
 
 	if (rtnl_open_byproto(&rth, 0, NETLINK_XFRM) < 0)
 		exit(1);
 
-	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, &req.n, sizeof(req)) < 0)
+	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, &answer) < 0)
 		exit(2);
 
-	print_sadinfo(&req.n, (void *)stdout);
+	print_sadinfo(answer, (void *)stdout);
 
 	rtnl_close(&rth);
 
@@ -1376,7 +1375,7 @@  static int xfrm_state_flush(int argc, char **argv)
 		fprintf(stderr, "Flush state with XFRM-PROTO value \"%s\"\n",
 			strxf_xfrmproto(req.xsf.proto));
 
-	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, NULL, 0) < 0)
+	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, NULL) < 0)
 		exit(2);
 
 	rtnl_close(&rth);
diff --git a/lib/libgenl.c b/lib/libgenl.c
index 50d2d92..9994469 100644
--- a/lib/libgenl.c
+++ b/lib/libgenl.c
@@ -49,16 +49,17 @@  int genl_resolve_family(struct rtnl_handle *grth, const char *family)
 {
 	GENL_REQUEST(req, 1024, GENL_ID_CTRL, 0, 0, CTRL_CMD_GETFAMILY,
 		     NLM_F_REQUEST);
+	struct nlmsghdr *answer = NULL;
 
 	addattr_l(&req.n, sizeof(req), CTRL_ATTR_FAMILY_NAME,
 		  family, strlen(family) + 1);
 
-	if (rtnl_talk(grth, &req.n, &req.n, sizeof(req)) < 0) {
+	if (rtnl_talk(grth, &req.n, &answer) < 0) {
 		fprintf(stderr, "Error talking to the kernel\n");
 		return -2;
 	}
 
-	return genl_parse_getfamily(&req.n);
+	return genl_parse_getfamily(answer);
 }
 
 int genl_init_handle(struct rtnl_handle *grth, const char *family,
diff --git a/lib/libnetlink.c b/lib/libnetlink.c
index 37cfb5a..ff986d4 100644
--- a/lib/libnetlink.c
+++ b/lib/libnetlink.c
@@ -568,7 +568,7 @@  static void rtnl_talk_error(struct nlmsghdr *h, struct nlmsgerr *err,
 }
 
 static int __rtnl_talk(struct rtnl_handle *rtnl, struct nlmsghdr *n,
-		       struct nlmsghdr *answer, size_t maxlen,
+		       struct nlmsghdr **answer,
 		       bool show_rtnl_err, nl_ext_ack_fn_t errfn)
 {
 	int status;
@@ -643,8 +643,7 @@  static int __rtnl_talk(struct rtnl_handle *rtnl, struct nlmsghdr *n,
 					fprintf(stderr, "ERROR truncated\n");
 				} else if (!err->error) {
 					if (answer)
-						memcpy(answer, h,
-						       MIN(maxlen, h->nlmsg_len));
+						*answer= h;
 					return 0;
 				}
 
@@ -657,8 +656,7 @@  static int __rtnl_talk(struct rtnl_handle *rtnl, struct nlmsghdr *n,
 			}
 
 			if (answer) {
-				memcpy(answer, h,
-				       MIN(maxlen, h->nlmsg_len));
+				*answer= h;
 				return 0;
 			}
 
@@ -681,22 +679,22 @@  static int __rtnl_talk(struct rtnl_handle *rtnl, struct nlmsghdr *n,
 }
 
 int rtnl_talk(struct rtnl_handle *rtnl, struct nlmsghdr *n,
-	      struct nlmsghdr *answer, size_t maxlen)
+	      struct nlmsghdr **answer)
 {
-	return __rtnl_talk(rtnl, n, answer, maxlen, true, NULL);
+	return __rtnl_talk(rtnl, n, answer, true, NULL);
 }
 
 int rtnl_talk_extack(struct rtnl_handle *rtnl, struct nlmsghdr *n,
-		     struct nlmsghdr *answer, size_t maxlen,
+		     struct nlmsghdr **answer,
 		     nl_ext_ack_fn_t errfn)
 {
-	return __rtnl_talk(rtnl, n, answer, maxlen, true, errfn);
+	return __rtnl_talk(rtnl, n, answer, true, errfn);
 }
 
 int rtnl_talk_suppress_rtnl_errmsg(struct rtnl_handle *rtnl, struct nlmsghdr *n,
-				   struct nlmsghdr *answer, size_t maxlen)
+				   struct nlmsghdr **answer)
 {
-	return __rtnl_talk(rtnl, n, answer, maxlen, false, NULL);
+	return __rtnl_talk(rtnl, n, answer, false, NULL);
 }
 
 int rtnl_listen_all_nsid(struct rtnl_handle *rth)
diff --git a/misc/ss.c b/misc/ss.c
index dd8dfaa..bf21d80 100644
--- a/misc/ss.c
+++ b/misc/ss.c
@@ -2597,7 +2597,7 @@  static int kill_inet_sock(struct nlmsghdr *h, void *arg, struct sockstat *s)
 		raw->sdiag_raw_protocol = s->raw_prot;
 	}
 
-	return rtnl_talk(rth, &req.nlh, NULL, 0);
+	return rtnl_talk(rth, &req.nlh, NULL);
 }
 
 static int show_one_inet_sock(const struct sockaddr_nl *addr,
diff --git a/tc/m_action.c b/tc/m_action.c
index 6ebe85e..12e033b 100644
--- a/tc/m_action.c
+++ b/tc/m_action.c
@@ -507,14 +507,13 @@  static int tc_action_gd(int cmd, unsigned int flags, int *argc_p, char ***argv_p
 
 	req.n.nlmsg_seq = rth.dump = ++rth.seq;
 	if (cmd == RTM_GETACTION)
-		ans = &req.n;
 
-	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, ans, MAX_MSG) < 0) {
+	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, &ans) < 0) {
 		fprintf(stderr, "We have an error talking to the kernel\n");
 		return 1;
 	}
 
-	if (ans && print_action(NULL, &req.n, (void *)stdout) < 0) {
+	if (ans && print_action(NULL, ans, (void *)stdout) < 0) {
 		fprintf(stderr, "Dump terminated\n");
 		return 1;
 	}
@@ -550,7 +549,7 @@  static int tc_action_modify(int cmd, unsigned int flags, int *argc_p, char ***ar
 	}
 	tail->rta_len = (void *) NLMSG_TAIL(&req.n) - (void *) tail;
 
-	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, NULL, 0) < 0) {
+	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, NULL) < 0) {
 		fprintf(stderr, "We have an error talking to the kernel\n");
 		ret = -1;
 	}
@@ -617,7 +616,7 @@  static int tc_act_list_or_flush(int argc, char **argv, int event)
 		req.n.nlmsg_type = RTM_DELACTION;
 		req.n.nlmsg_flags |= NLM_F_ROOT;
 		req.n.nlmsg_flags |= NLM_F_REQUEST;
-		if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, NULL, 0) < 0) {
+		if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, NULL) < 0) {
 			fprintf(stderr, "We have an error flushing\n");
 			return 1;
 		}
diff --git a/tc/tc_class.c b/tc/tc_class.c
index 1a1f1fa..0214775 100644
--- a/tc/tc_class.c
+++ b/tc/tc_class.c
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@  static int tc_class_modify(int cmd, unsigned int flags, int argc, char **argv)
 		}
 	}
 
-	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, NULL, 0) < 0)
+	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, NULL) < 0)
 		return 2;
 
 	return 0;
diff --git a/tc/tc_filter.c b/tc/tc_filter.c
index cf290ae..c43d1b2 100644
--- a/tc/tc_filter.c
+++ b/tc/tc_filter.c
@@ -194,7 +194,7 @@  static int tc_filter_modify(int cmd, unsigned int flags, int argc, char **argv)
 		}
 	}
 
-	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, NULL, 0) < 0) {
+	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, NULL) < 0) {
 		fprintf(stderr, "We have an error talking to the kernel\n");
 		return 2;
 	}
@@ -331,6 +331,7 @@  static int tc_filter_get(int cmd, unsigned int flags, int argc, char **argv)
 		.t.tcm_parent = TC_H_UNSPEC,
 		.t.tcm_family = AF_UNSPEC,
 	};
+	struct nlmsghdr *answer = NULL;
 	struct filter_util *q = NULL;
 	__u32 prio = 0;
 	__u32 protocol = 0;
@@ -484,12 +485,12 @@  static int tc_filter_get(int cmd, unsigned int flags, int argc, char **argv)
 		return -1;
 	}
 
-	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, &req.n, MAX_MSG) < 0) {
+	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, &answer) < 0) {
 		fprintf(stderr, "We have an error talking to the kernel\n");
 		return 2;
 	}
 
-	print_filter(NULL, &req.n, (void *)stdout);
+	print_filter(NULL, answer, (void *)stdout);
 
 	return 0;
 }
diff --git a/tc/tc_qdisc.c b/tc/tc_qdisc.c
index 1e9d909..c52114a 100644
--- a/tc/tc_qdisc.c
+++ b/tc/tc_qdisc.c
@@ -190,7 +190,7 @@  static int tc_qdisc_modify(int cmd, unsigned int flags, int argc, char **argv)
 		req.t.tcm_ifindex = idx;
 	}
 
-	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, NULL, 0) < 0)
+	if (rtnl_talk(&rth, &req.n, NULL) < 0)
 		return 2;
 
 	return 0;