Merge tag 'namespace-6.19-rc1' of git://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/vfs/vfs

Pull namespace updates from Christian Brauner:
 "This contains substantial namespace infrastructure changes including a new
  system call, active reference counting, and extensive header cleanups.
  The branch depends on the shared kbuild branch for -fms-extensions support.

  Features:

   - listns() system call

     Add a new listns() system call that allows userspace to iterate
     through namespaces in the system. This provides a programmatic
     interface to discover and inspect namespaces, addressing
     longstanding limitations:

     Currently, there is no direct way for userspace to enumerate
     namespaces. Applications must resort to scanning /proc/*/ns/ across
     all processes, which is:
      - Inefficient - requires iterating over all processes
      - Incomplete - misses namespaces not attached to any running
        process but kept alive by file descriptors, bind mounts, or
        parent references
      - Permission-heavy - requires access to /proc for many processes
      - No ordering or ownership information
      - No filtering per namespace type

     The listns() system call solves these problems:

       ssize_t listns(const struct ns_id_req *req, u64 *ns_ids,
                      size_t nr_ns_ids, unsigned int flags);

       struct ns_id_req {
             __u32 size;
             __u32 spare;
             __u64 ns_id;
             struct /* listns */ {
                     __u32 ns_type;
                     __u32 spare2;
                     __u64 user_ns_id;
             };
       };

     Features include:
      - Pagination support for large namespace sets
      - Filtering by namespace type (MNT_NS, NET_NS, USER_NS, etc.)
      - Filtering by owning user namespace
      - Permission checks respecting namespace isolation

   - Active Reference Counting

     Introduce an active reference count that tracks namespace
     visibility to userspace. A namespace is visible in the following
     cases:
      - The namespace is in use by a task
      - The namespace is persisted through a VFS object (namespace file
        descriptor or bind-mount)
      - The namespace is a hierarchical type and is the parent of child
        namespaces

     The active reference count does not regulate lifetime (that's still
     done by the normal reference count) - it only regulates visibility
     to namespace file handles and listns().

     This prevents resurrection of namespaces that are pinned only for
     internal kernel reasons (e.g., user namespaces held by
     file->f_cred, lazy TLB references on idle CPUs, etc.) which should
     not be accessible via (1)-(3).

   - Unified Namespace Tree

     Introduce a unified tree structure for all namespaces with:
      - Fixed IDs assigned to initial namespaces
      - Lookup based solely on inode number
      - Maintained list of owned namespaces per user namespace
      - Simplified rbtree comparison helpers

   Cleanups

    - Header Reorganization:
      - Move namespace types into separate header (ns_common_types.h)
      - Decouple nstree from ns_common header
      - Move nstree types into separate header
      - Switch to new ns_tree_{node,root} structures with helper functions
      - Use guards for ns_tree_lock

   - Initial Namespace Reference Count Optimization
      - Make all reference counts on initial namespaces a nop to avoid
        pointless cacheline ping-pong for namespaces that can never go
        away
      - Drop custom reference count initialization for initial namespaces
      - Add NS_COMMON_INIT() macro and use it for all namespaces
      - pid: rely on common reference count behavior

   - Miscellaneous Cleanups
      - Rename exit_task_namespaces() to exit_nsproxy_namespaces()
      - Rename is_initial_namespace() and make argument const
      - Use boolean to indicate anonymous mount namespace
      - Simplify owner list iteration in nstree
      - nsfs: raise SB_I_NODEV, SB_I_NOEXEC, and DCACHE_DONTCACHE explicitly
      - nsfs: use inode_just_drop()
      - pidfs: raise DCACHE_DONTCACHE explicitly
      - pidfs: simplify PIDFD_GET__NAMESPACE ioctls
      - libfs: allow to specify s_d_flags
      - cgroup: add cgroup namespace to tree after owner is set
      - nsproxy: fix free_nsproxy() and simplify create_new_namespaces()

  Fixes:

   - setns(pidfd, ...) race condition

     Fix a subtle race when using pidfds with setns(). When the target
     task exits after prepare_nsset() but before commit_nsset(), the
     namespace's active reference count might have been dropped. If
     setns() then installs the namespaces, it would bump the active
     reference count from zero without taking the required reference on
     the owner namespace, leading to underflow when later decremented.

     The fix resurrects the ownership chain if necessary - if the caller
     succeeded in grabbing passive references, the setns() should
     succeed even if the target task exits or gets reaped.

   - Return EFAULT on put_user() error instead of success

   - Make sure references are dropped outside of RCU lock (some
     namespaces like mount namespace sleep when putting the last
     reference)

   - Don't skip active reference count initialization for network
     namespace

   - Add asserts for active refcount underflow

   - Add asserts for initial namespace reference counts (both passive
     and active)

   - ipc: enable is_ns_init_id() assertions

   - Fix kernel-doc comments for internal nstree functions

   - Selftests
      - 15 active reference count tests
      - 9 listns() functionality tests
      - 7 listns() permission tests
      - 12 inactive namespace resurrection tests
      - 3 threaded active reference count tests
      - commit_creds() active reference tests
      - Pagination and stress tests
      - EFAULT handling test
      - nsid tests fixes"

* tag 'namespace-6.19-rc1' of git://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/vfs/vfs: (103 commits)
  pidfs: simplify PIDFD_GET_<type>_NAMESPACE ioctls
  nstree: fix kernel-doc comments for internal functions
  nsproxy: fix free_nsproxy() and simplify create_new_namespaces()
  selftests/namespaces: fix nsid tests
  ns: drop custom reference count initialization for initial namespaces
  pid: rely on common reference count behavior
  ns: add asserts for initial namespace active reference counts
  ns: add asserts for initial namespace reference counts
  ns: make all reference counts on initial namespace a nop
  ipc: enable is_ns_init_id() assertions
  fs: use boolean to indicate anonymous mount namespace
  ns: rename is_initial_namespace()
  ns: make is_initial_namespace() argument const
  nstree: use guards for ns_tree_lock
  nstree: simplify owner list iteration
  nstree: switch to new structures
  nstree: add helper to operate on struct ns_tree_{node,root}
  nstree: move nstree types into separate header
  nstree: decouple from ns_common header
  ns: move namespace types into separate header
  ...

1 files changed, 2672 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/tools/testing/selftests/namespaces/ns_active_ref_test.c b/tools/testing/selftests/namespaces/ns_active_ref_test.c
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..093268f0efaa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tools/testing/selftests/namespaces/ns_active_ref_test.c
@@ -0,0 +1,2672 @@
+// SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0
+#define _GNU_SOURCE
+#include <errno.h>
+#include <fcntl.h>
+#include <limits.h>
+#include <sched.h>
+#include <stdio.h>
+#include <stdlib.h>
+#include <string.h>
+#include <linux/nsfs.h>
+#include <sys/mount.h>
+#include <sys/socket.h>
+#include <sys/stat.h>
+#include <sys/types.h>
+#include <sys/wait.h>
+#include <sys/syscall.h>
+#include <unistd.h>
+#include <pthread.h>
+#include "../kselftest_harness.h"
+#include "../filesystems/utils.h"
+#include "wrappers.h"
+
+#ifndef FD_NSFS_ROOT
+#define FD_NSFS_ROOT -10003 /* Root of the nsfs filesystem */
+#endif
+
+#ifndef FILEID_NSFS
+#define FILEID_NSFS 0xf1
+#endif
+
+/*
+ * Test that initial namespaces can be reopened via file handle.
+ * Initial namespaces should have active ref count of 1 from boot.
+ */
+TEST(init_ns_always_active)
+{
+	struct file_handle *handle;
+	int mount_id;
+	int ret;
+	int fd1, fd2;
+	struct stat st1, st2;
+
+	handle = malloc(sizeof(*handle) + MAX_HANDLE_SZ);
+	ASSERT_NE(handle, NULL);
+
+	/* Open initial network namespace */
+	fd1 = open("/proc/1/ns/net", O_RDONLY);
+	ASSERT_GE(fd1, 0);
+
+	/* Get file handle for initial namespace */
+	handle->handle_bytes = MAX_HANDLE_SZ;
+	ret = name_to_handle_at(fd1, "", handle, &mount_id, AT_EMPTY_PATH);
+	if (ret < 0 && errno == EOPNOTSUPP) {
+		SKIP(free(handle); close(fd1);
+		     return, "nsfs doesn't support file handles");
+	}
+	ASSERT_EQ(ret, 0);
+
+	/* Close the namespace fd */
+	close(fd1);
+
+	/* Try to reopen via file handle - should succeed since init ns is always active */
+	fd2 = open_by_handle_at(FD_NSFS_ROOT, handle, O_RDONLY);
+	if (fd2 < 0 && (errno == EINVAL || errno == EOPNOTSUPP)) {
+		SKIP(free(handle);
+		     return, "open_by_handle_at with FD_NSFS_ROOT not supported");
+	}
+	ASSERT_GE(fd2, 0);
+
+	/* Verify we opened the same namespace */
+	fd1 = open("/proc/1/ns/net", O_RDONLY);
+	ASSERT_GE(fd1, 0);
+	ASSERT_EQ(fstat(fd1, &st1), 0);
+	ASSERT_EQ(fstat(fd2, &st2), 0);
+	ASSERT_EQ(st1.st_ino, st2.st_ino);
+
+	close(fd1);
+	close(fd2);
+	free(handle);
+}
+
+/*
+ * Test namespace lifecycle: create a namespace in a child process,
+ * get a file handle while it's active, then try to reopen after
+ * the process exits (namespace becomes inactive).
+ */
+TEST(ns_inactive_after_exit)
+{
+	struct file_handle *handle;
+	int mount_id;
+	int ret;
+	int fd;
+	int pipefd[2];
+	pid_t pid;
+	int status;
+	char buf[sizeof(*handle) + MAX_HANDLE_SZ];
+
+	/* Create pipe for passing file handle from child */
+	ASSERT_EQ(pipe(pipefd), 0);
+
+	pid = fork();
+	ASSERT_GE(pid, 0);
+
+	if (pid == 0) {
+		/* Child process */
+		close(pipefd[0]);
+
+		/* Create new network namespace */
+		ret = unshare(CLONE_NEWNET);
+		if (ret < 0) {
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+
+		/* Open our new namespace */
+		fd = open("/proc/self/ns/net", O_RDONLY);
+		if (fd < 0) {
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+
+		/* Get file handle for the namespace */
+		handle = (struct file_handle *)buf;
+		handle->handle_bytes = MAX_HANDLE_SZ;
+		ret = name_to_handle_at(fd, "", handle, &mount_id, AT_EMPTY_PATH);
+		close(fd);
+
+		if (ret < 0) {
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+
+		/* Send handle to parent */
+		write(pipefd[1], buf, sizeof(*handle) + handle->handle_bytes);
+		close(pipefd[1]);
+
+		/* Exit - namespace should become inactive */
+		exit(0);
+	}
+
+	/* Parent process */
+	close(pipefd[1]);
+
+	/* Read file handle from child */
+	ret = read(pipefd[0], buf, sizeof(buf));
+	close(pipefd[0]);
+
+	/* Wait for child to exit */
+	waitpid(pid, &status, 0);
+	ASSERT_TRUE(WIFEXITED(status));
+	ASSERT_EQ(WEXITSTATUS(status), 0);
+
+	ASSERT_GT(ret, 0);
+	handle = (struct file_handle *)buf;
+
+	/* Try to reopen namespace - should fail with ENOENT since it's inactive */
+	fd = open_by_handle_at(FD_NSFS_ROOT, handle, O_RDONLY);
+	ASSERT_LT(fd, 0);
+	/* Should fail with ENOENT (namespace inactive) or ESTALE */
+	ASSERT_TRUE(errno == ENOENT || errno == ESTALE);
+}
+
+/*
+ * Test that a namespace remains active while a process is using it,
+ * even after the creating process exits.
+ */
+TEST(ns_active_with_multiple_processes)
+{
+	struct file_handle *handle;
+	int mount_id;
+	int ret;
+	int fd;
+	int pipefd[2];
+	int syncpipe[2];
+	pid_t pid1, pid2;
+	int status;
+	char buf[sizeof(*handle) + MAX_HANDLE_SZ];
+	char sync_byte;
+
+	/* Create pipes for communication */
+	ASSERT_EQ(pipe(pipefd), 0);
+	ASSERT_EQ(pipe(syncpipe), 0);
+
+	pid1 = fork();
+	ASSERT_GE(pid1, 0);
+
+	if (pid1 == 0) {
+		/* First child - creates namespace */
+		close(pipefd[0]);
+		close(syncpipe[1]);
+
+		/* Create new network namespace */
+		ret = unshare(CLONE_NEWNET);
+		if (ret < 0) {
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			close(syncpipe[0]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+
+		/* Open and get handle */
+		fd = open("/proc/self/ns/net", O_RDONLY);
+		if (fd < 0) {
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			close(syncpipe[0]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+
+		handle = (struct file_handle *)buf;
+		handle->handle_bytes = MAX_HANDLE_SZ;
+		ret = name_to_handle_at(fd, "", handle, &mount_id, AT_EMPTY_PATH);
+		close(fd);
+
+		if (ret < 0) {
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			close(syncpipe[0]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+
+		/* Send handle to parent */
+		write(pipefd[1], buf, sizeof(*handle) + handle->handle_bytes);
+		close(pipefd[1]);
+
+		/* Wait for signal before exiting */
+		read(syncpipe[0], &sync_byte, 1);
+		close(syncpipe[0]);
+		exit(0);
+	}
+
+	/* Parent reads handle */
+	close(pipefd[1]);
+	ret = read(pipefd[0], buf, sizeof(buf));
+	close(pipefd[0]);
+	ASSERT_GT(ret, 0);
+
+	handle = (struct file_handle *)buf;
+
+	/* Create second child that will keep namespace active */
+	pid2 = fork();
+	ASSERT_GE(pid2, 0);
+
+	if (pid2 == 0) {
+		/* Second child - reopens the namespace */
+		close(syncpipe[0]);
+		close(syncpipe[1]);
+
+		/* Open the namespace via handle */
+		fd = open_by_handle_at(FD_NSFS_ROOT, handle, O_RDONLY);
+		if (fd < 0) {
+			exit(1);
+		}
+
+		/* Join the namespace */
+		ret = setns(fd, CLONE_NEWNET);
+		close(fd);
+		if (ret < 0) {
+			exit(1);
+		}
+
+		/* Sleep to keep namespace active */
+		sleep(1);
+		exit(0);
+	}
+
+	/* Let second child enter the namespace */
+	usleep(100000); /* 100ms */
+
+	/* Signal first child to exit */
+	close(syncpipe[0]);
+	sync_byte = 'X';
+	write(syncpipe[1], &sync_byte, 1);
+	close(syncpipe[1]);
+
+	/* Wait for first child */
+	waitpid(pid1, &status, 0);
+	ASSERT_TRUE(WIFEXITED(status));
+
+	/* Namespace should still be active because second child is using it */
+	fd = open_by_handle_at(FD_NSFS_ROOT, handle, O_RDONLY);
+	ASSERT_GE(fd, 0);
+	close(fd);
+
+	/* Wait for second child */
+	waitpid(pid2, &status, 0);
+	ASSERT_TRUE(WIFEXITED(status));
+}
+
+/*
+ * Test user namespace active ref tracking via credential lifecycle
+ */
+TEST(userns_active_ref_lifecycle)
+{
+	struct file_handle *handle;
+	int mount_id;
+	int ret;
+	int fd;
+	int pipefd[2];
+	pid_t pid;
+	int status;
+	char buf[sizeof(*handle) + MAX_HANDLE_SZ];
+
+	ASSERT_EQ(pipe(pipefd), 0);
+
+	pid = fork();
+	ASSERT_GE(pid, 0);
+
+	if (pid == 0) {
+		/* Child process */
+		close(pipefd[0]);
+
+		/* Create new user namespace */
+		ret = unshare(CLONE_NEWUSER);
+		if (ret < 0) {
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+
+		/* Set up uid/gid mappings */
+		int uid_map_fd = open("/proc/self/uid_map", O_WRONLY);
+		int gid_map_fd = open("/proc/self/gid_map", O_WRONLY);
+		int setgroups_fd = open("/proc/self/setgroups", O_WRONLY);
+
+		if (uid_map_fd >= 0 && gid_map_fd >= 0 && setgroups_fd >= 0) {
+			write(setgroups_fd, "deny", 4);
+			close(setgroups_fd);
+
+			char mapping[64];
+			snprintf(mapping, sizeof(mapping), "0 %d 1", getuid());
+			write(uid_map_fd, mapping, strlen(mapping));
+			close(uid_map_fd);
+
+			snprintf(mapping, sizeof(mapping), "0 %d 1", getgid());
+			write(gid_map_fd, mapping, strlen(mapping));
+			close(gid_map_fd);
+		}
+
+		/* Get file handle */
+		fd = open("/proc/self/ns/user", O_RDONLY);
+		if (fd < 0) {
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+
+		handle = (struct file_handle *)buf;
+		handle->handle_bytes = MAX_HANDLE_SZ;
+		ret = name_to_handle_at(fd, "", handle, &mount_id, AT_EMPTY_PATH);
+		close(fd);
+
+		if (ret < 0) {
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+
+		/* Send handle to parent */
+		write(pipefd[1], buf, sizeof(*handle) + handle->handle_bytes);
+		close(pipefd[1]);
+		exit(0);
+	}
+
+	/* Parent */
+	close(pipefd[1]);
+	ret = read(pipefd[0], buf, sizeof(buf));
+	close(pipefd[0]);
+
+	waitpid(pid, &status, 0);
+	ASSERT_TRUE(WIFEXITED(status));
+	ASSERT_EQ(WEXITSTATUS(status), 0);
+
+	ASSERT_GT(ret, 0);
+	handle = (struct file_handle *)buf;
+
+	/* Namespace should be inactive after all tasks exit */
+	fd = open_by_handle_at(FD_NSFS_ROOT, handle, O_RDONLY);
+	ASSERT_LT(fd, 0);
+	ASSERT_TRUE(errno == ENOENT || errno == ESTALE);
+}
+
+/*
+ * Test PID namespace active ref tracking
+ */
+TEST(pidns_active_ref_lifecycle)
+{
+	struct file_handle *handle;
+	int mount_id;
+	int ret;
+	int fd;
+	int pipefd[2];
+	pid_t pid;
+	int status;
+	char buf[sizeof(*handle) + MAX_HANDLE_SZ];
+
+	ASSERT_EQ(pipe(pipefd), 0);
+
+	pid = fork();
+	ASSERT_GE(pid, 0);
+
+	if (pid == 0) {
+		/* Child process */
+		close(pipefd[0]);
+
+		/* Create new PID namespace */
+		ret = unshare(CLONE_NEWPID);
+		if (ret < 0) {
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+
+		/* Fork to actually enter the PID namespace */
+		pid_t child = fork();
+		if (child < 0) {
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+
+		if (child == 0) {
+			/* Grandchild - in new PID namespace */
+			fd = open("/proc/self/ns/pid", O_RDONLY);
+			if (fd < 0) {
+				exit(1);
+			}
+
+			handle = (struct file_handle *)buf;
+			handle->handle_bytes = MAX_HANDLE_SZ;
+			ret = name_to_handle_at(fd, "", handle, &mount_id, AT_EMPTY_PATH);
+			close(fd);
+
+			if (ret < 0) {
+				exit(1);
+			}
+
+			/* Send handle to grandparent */
+			write(pipefd[1], buf, sizeof(*handle) + handle->handle_bytes);
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(0);
+		}
+
+		/* Wait for grandchild */
+		waitpid(child, NULL, 0);
+		exit(0);
+	}
+
+	/* Parent */
+	close(pipefd[1]);
+	ret = read(pipefd[0], buf, sizeof(buf));
+	close(pipefd[0]);
+
+	waitpid(pid, &status, 0);
+	ASSERT_TRUE(WIFEXITED(status));
+	ASSERT_EQ(WEXITSTATUS(status), 0);
+
+	ASSERT_GT(ret, 0);
+	handle = (struct file_handle *)buf;
+
+	/* Namespace should be inactive after all processes exit */
+	fd = open_by_handle_at(FD_NSFS_ROOT, handle, O_RDONLY);
+	ASSERT_LT(fd, 0);
+	ASSERT_TRUE(errno == ENOENT || errno == ESTALE);
+}
+
+/*
+ * Test that an open file descriptor keeps a namespace active.
+ * Even after the creating process exits, the namespace should remain
+ * active as long as an fd is held open.
+ */
+TEST(ns_fd_keeps_active)
+{
+	struct file_handle *handle;
+	int mount_id;
+	int ret;
+	int nsfd;
+	int pipe_child_ready[2];
+	int pipe_parent_ready[2];
+	pid_t pid;
+	int status;
+	char buf[sizeof(*handle) + MAX_HANDLE_SZ];
+	char sync_byte;
+	char proc_path[64];
+
+	ASSERT_EQ(pipe(pipe_child_ready), 0);
+	ASSERT_EQ(pipe(pipe_parent_ready), 0);
+
+	pid = fork();
+	ASSERT_GE(pid, 0);
+
+	if (pid == 0) {
+		/* Child process */
+		close(pipe_child_ready[0]);
+		close(pipe_parent_ready[1]);
+
+		TH_LOG("Child: creating new network namespace");
+
+		/* Create new network namespace */
+		ret = unshare(CLONE_NEWNET);
+		if (ret < 0) {
+			TH_LOG("Child: unshare(CLONE_NEWNET) failed: %s", strerror(errno));
+			close(pipe_child_ready[1]);
+			close(pipe_parent_ready[0]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+
+		TH_LOG("Child: network namespace created successfully");
+
+		/* Get file handle for the namespace */
+		nsfd = open("/proc/self/ns/net", O_RDONLY);
+		if (nsfd < 0) {
+			TH_LOG("Child: failed to open /proc/self/ns/net: %s", strerror(errno));
+			close(pipe_child_ready[1]);
+			close(pipe_parent_ready[0]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+
+		TH_LOG("Child: opened namespace fd %d", nsfd);
+
+		handle = (struct file_handle *)buf;
+		handle->handle_bytes = MAX_HANDLE_SZ;
+		ret = name_to_handle_at(nsfd, "", handle, &mount_id, AT_EMPTY_PATH);
+		close(nsfd);
+
+		if (ret < 0) {
+			TH_LOG("Child: name_to_handle_at failed: %s", strerror(errno));
+			close(pipe_child_ready[1]);
+			close(pipe_parent_ready[0]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+
+		TH_LOG("Child: got file handle (bytes=%u)", handle->handle_bytes);
+
+		/* Send file handle to parent */
+		ret = write(pipe_child_ready[1], buf, sizeof(*handle) + handle->handle_bytes);
+		TH_LOG("Child: sent %d bytes of file handle to parent", ret);
+		close(pipe_child_ready[1]);
+
+		/* Wait for parent to open the fd */
+		TH_LOG("Child: waiting for parent to open fd");
+		ret = read(pipe_parent_ready[0], &sync_byte, 1);
+		close(pipe_parent_ready[0]);
+
+		TH_LOG("Child: parent signaled (read %d bytes), exiting now", ret);
+		/* Exit - namespace should stay active because parent holds fd */
+		exit(0);
+	}
+
+	/* Parent process */
+	close(pipe_child_ready[1]);
+	close(pipe_parent_ready[0]);
+
+	TH_LOG("Parent: reading file handle from child");
+
+	/* Read file handle from child */
+	ret = read(pipe_child_ready[0], buf, sizeof(buf));
+	close(pipe_child_ready[0]);
+	ASSERT_GT(ret, 0);
+	handle = (struct file_handle *)buf;
+
+	TH_LOG("Parent: received %d bytes, handle size=%u", ret, handle->handle_bytes);
+
+	/* Open the child's namespace while it's still alive */
+	snprintf(proc_path, sizeof(proc_path), "/proc/%d/ns/net", pid);
+	TH_LOG("Parent: opening child's namespace at %s", proc_path);
+	nsfd = open(proc_path, O_RDONLY);
+	if (nsfd < 0) {
+		TH_LOG("Parent: failed to open %s: %s", proc_path, strerror(errno));
+		close(pipe_parent_ready[1]);
+		kill(pid, SIGKILL);
+		waitpid(pid, NULL, 0);
+		SKIP(return, "Failed to open child's namespace");
+	}
+
+	TH_LOG("Parent: opened child's namespace, got fd %d", nsfd);
+
+	/* Signal child that we have the fd */
+	sync_byte = 'G';
+	write(pipe_parent_ready[1], &sync_byte, 1);
+	close(pipe_parent_ready[1]);
+	TH_LOG("Parent: signaled child that we have the fd");
+
+	/* Wait for child to exit */
+	waitpid(pid, &status, 0);
+	ASSERT_TRUE(WIFEXITED(status));
+	ASSERT_EQ(WEXITSTATUS(status), 0);
+
+	TH_LOG("Child exited, parent holds fd %d to namespace", nsfd);
+
+	/*
+	 * Namespace should still be ACTIVE because we hold an fd.
+	 * We should be able to reopen it via file handle.
+	 */
+	TH_LOG("Attempting to reopen namespace via file handle (should succeed - fd held)");
+	int fd2 = open_by_handle_at(FD_NSFS_ROOT, handle, O_RDONLY);
+	ASSERT_GE(fd2, 0);
+
+	TH_LOG("Successfully reopened namespace via file handle, got fd %d", fd2);
+
+	/* Verify it's the same namespace */
+	struct stat st1, st2;
+	ASSERT_EQ(fstat(nsfd, &st1), 0);
+	ASSERT_EQ(fstat(fd2, &st2), 0);
+	TH_LOG("Namespace inodes: nsfd=%lu, fd2=%lu", st1.st_ino, st2.st_ino);
+	ASSERT_EQ(st1.st_ino, st2.st_ino);
+	close(fd2);
+
+	/* Now close the fd - namespace should become inactive */
+	TH_LOG("Closing fd %d - namespace should become inactive", nsfd);
+	close(nsfd);
+
+	/* Now reopening should fail - namespace is inactive */
+	TH_LOG("Attempting to reopen namespace via file handle (should fail - inactive)");
+	fd2 = open_by_handle_at(FD_NSFS_ROOT, handle, O_RDONLY);
+	ASSERT_LT(fd2, 0);
+	/* Should fail with ENOENT (inactive) or ESTALE (gone) */
+	TH_LOG("Reopen failed as expected: %s (errno=%d)", strerror(errno), errno);
+	ASSERT_TRUE(errno == ENOENT || errno == ESTALE);
+}
+
+/*
+ * Test hierarchical active reference propagation.
+ * When a child namespace is active, its owning user namespace should also
+ * be active automatically due to hierarchical active reference propagation.
+ * This ensures parents are always reachable when children are active.
+ */
+TEST(ns_parent_always_reachable)
+{
+	struct file_handle *parent_handle, *child_handle;
+	int ret;
+	int child_nsfd;
+	int pipefd[2];
+	pid_t pid;
+	int status;
+	__u64 parent_id, child_id;
+	char parent_buf[sizeof(*parent_handle) + MAX_HANDLE_SZ];
+	char child_buf[sizeof(*child_handle) + MAX_HANDLE_SZ];
+
+	ASSERT_EQ(pipe(pipefd), 0);
+
+	pid = fork();
+	ASSERT_GE(pid, 0);
+
+	if (pid == 0) {
+		/* Child process */
+		close(pipefd[0]);
+
+		TH_LOG("Child: creating parent user namespace and setting up mappings");
+
+		/* Create parent user namespace with mappings */
+		ret = setup_userns();
+		if (ret < 0) {
+			TH_LOG("Child: setup_userns() for parent failed: %s", strerror(errno));
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+
+		TH_LOG("Child: parent user namespace created, now uid=%d gid=%d", getuid(), getgid());
+
+		/* Get namespace ID for parent user namespace */
+		int parent_fd = open("/proc/self/ns/user", O_RDONLY);
+		if (parent_fd < 0) {
+			TH_LOG("Child: failed to open parent /proc/self/ns/user: %s", strerror(errno));
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+
+		TH_LOG("Child: opened parent userns fd %d", parent_fd);
+
+		if (ioctl(parent_fd, NS_GET_ID, &parent_id) < 0) {
+			TH_LOG("Child: NS_GET_ID for parent failed: %s", strerror(errno));
+			close(parent_fd);
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+		close(parent_fd);
+
+		TH_LOG("Child: got parent namespace ID %llu", (unsigned long long)parent_id);
+
+		/* Create child user namespace within parent */
+		TH_LOG("Child: creating nested child user namespace");
+		ret = setup_userns();
+		if (ret < 0) {
+			TH_LOG("Child: setup_userns() for child failed: %s", strerror(errno));
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+
+		TH_LOG("Child: nested child user namespace created, uid=%d gid=%d", getuid(), getgid());
+
+		/* Get namespace ID for child user namespace */
+		int child_fd = open("/proc/self/ns/user", O_RDONLY);
+		if (child_fd < 0) {
+			TH_LOG("Child: failed to open child /proc/self/ns/user: %s", strerror(errno));
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+
+		TH_LOG("Child: opened child userns fd %d", child_fd);
+
+		if (ioctl(child_fd, NS_GET_ID, &child_id) < 0) {
+			TH_LOG("Child: NS_GET_ID for child failed: %s", strerror(errno));
+			close(child_fd);
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+		close(child_fd);
+
+		TH_LOG("Child: got child namespace ID %llu", (unsigned long long)child_id);
+
+		/* Send both namespace IDs to parent */
+		TH_LOG("Child: sending both namespace IDs to parent");
+		write(pipefd[1], &parent_id, sizeof(parent_id));
+		write(pipefd[1], &child_id, sizeof(child_id));
+		close(pipefd[1]);
+
+		TH_LOG("Child: exiting - parent userns should become inactive");
+		/* Exit - parent user namespace should become inactive */
+		exit(0);
+	}
+
+	/* Parent process */
+	close(pipefd[1]);
+
+	TH_LOG("Parent: reading both namespace IDs from child");
+
+	/* Read both namespace IDs - fixed size, no parsing needed */
+	ret = read(pipefd[0], &parent_id, sizeof(parent_id));
+	if (ret != sizeof(parent_id)) {
+		close(pipefd[0]);
+		waitpid(pid, NULL, 0);
+		SKIP(return, "Failed to read parent namespace ID from child");
+	}
+
+	ret = read(pipefd[0], &child_id, sizeof(child_id));
+	close(pipefd[0]);
+	if (ret != sizeof(child_id)) {
+		waitpid(pid, NULL, 0);
+		SKIP(return, "Failed to read child namespace ID from child");
+	}
+
+	TH_LOG("Parent: received parent_id=%llu, child_id=%llu",
+	       (unsigned long long)parent_id, (unsigned long long)child_id);
+
+	/* Construct file handles from namespace IDs */
+	parent_handle = (struct file_handle *)parent_buf;
+	parent_handle->handle_bytes = sizeof(struct nsfs_file_handle);
+	parent_handle->handle_type = FILEID_NSFS;
+	struct nsfs_file_handle *parent_fh = (struct nsfs_file_handle *)parent_handle->f_handle;
+	parent_fh->ns_id = parent_id;
+	parent_fh->ns_type = 0;
+	parent_fh->ns_inum = 0;
+
+	child_handle = (struct file_handle *)child_buf;
+	child_handle->handle_bytes = sizeof(struct nsfs_file_handle);
+	child_handle->handle_type = FILEID_NSFS;
+	struct nsfs_file_handle *child_fh = (struct nsfs_file_handle *)child_handle->f_handle;
+	child_fh->ns_id = child_id;
+	child_fh->ns_type = 0;
+	child_fh->ns_inum = 0;
+
+	TH_LOG("Parent: opening child namespace BEFORE child exits");
+
+	/* Open child namespace while child is still alive to keep it active */
+	child_nsfd = open_by_handle_at(FD_NSFS_ROOT, child_handle, O_RDONLY);
+	if (child_nsfd < 0) {
+		TH_LOG("Failed to open child namespace: %s (errno=%d)", strerror(errno), errno);
+		waitpid(pid, NULL, 0);
+		SKIP(return, "Failed to open child namespace");
+	}
+
+	TH_LOG("Opened child namespace fd %d", child_nsfd);
+
+	/* Now wait for child to exit */
+	TH_LOG("Parent: waiting for child to exit");
+	waitpid(pid, &status, 0);
+	ASSERT_TRUE(WIFEXITED(status));
+	ASSERT_EQ(WEXITSTATUS(status), 0);
+
+	TH_LOG("Child process exited, parent holds fd to child namespace");
+
+	/*
+	 * With hierarchical active reference propagation:
+	 * Since the child namespace is active (parent process holds fd),
+	 * the parent user namespace should ALSO be active automatically.
+	 * This is because when we took an active reference on the child,
+	 * it propagated up to the owning user namespace.
+	 */
+	TH_LOG("Attempting to reopen parent namespace (should SUCCEED - hierarchical propagation)");
+	int parent_fd = open_by_handle_at(FD_NSFS_ROOT, parent_handle, O_RDONLY);
+	ASSERT_GE(parent_fd, 0);
+
+	TH_LOG("SUCCESS: Parent namespace is active (fd=%d) due to active child", parent_fd);
+
+	/* Verify we can also get parent via NS_GET_USERNS */
+	TH_LOG("Verifying NS_GET_USERNS also works");
+	int parent_fd2 = ioctl(child_nsfd, NS_GET_USERNS);
+	if (parent_fd2 < 0) {
+		close(parent_fd);
+		close(child_nsfd);
+		TH_LOG("NS_GET_USERNS failed: %s (errno=%d)", strerror(errno), errno);
+		SKIP(return, "NS_GET_USERNS not supported or failed");
+	}
+
+	TH_LOG("NS_GET_USERNS succeeded, got parent fd %d", parent_fd2);
+
+	/* Verify both methods give us the same namespace */
+	struct stat st1, st2;
+	ASSERT_EQ(fstat(parent_fd, &st1), 0);
+	ASSERT_EQ(fstat(parent_fd2, &st2), 0);
+	TH_LOG("Parent namespace inodes: parent_fd=%lu, parent_fd2=%lu", st1.st_ino, st2.st_ino);
+	ASSERT_EQ(st1.st_ino, st2.st_ino);
+
+	/*
+	 * Close child fd - parent should remain active because we still
+	 * hold direct references to it (parent_fd and parent_fd2).
+	 */
+	TH_LOG("Closing child fd - parent should remain active (direct refs held)");
+	close(child_nsfd);
+
+	/* Parent should still be openable */
+	TH_LOG("Verifying parent still active via file handle");
+	int parent_fd3 = open_by_handle_at(FD_NSFS_ROOT, parent_handle, O_RDONLY);
+	ASSERT_GE(parent_fd3, 0);
+	close(parent_fd3);
+
+	TH_LOG("Closing all fds to parent namespace");
+	close(parent_fd);
+	close(parent_fd2);
+
+	/* Both should now be inactive */
+	TH_LOG("Attempting to reopen parent (should fail - inactive, no refs)");
+	parent_fd = open_by_handle_at(FD_NSFS_ROOT, parent_handle, O_RDONLY);
+	ASSERT_LT(parent_fd, 0);
+	TH_LOG("Parent inactive as expected: %s (errno=%d)", strerror(errno), errno);
+	ASSERT_TRUE(errno == ENOENT || errno == ESTALE);
+}
+
+/*
+ * Test that bind mounts keep namespaces in the tree even when inactive
+ */
+TEST(ns_bind_mount_keeps_in_tree)
+{
+	struct file_handle *handle;
+	int mount_id;
+	int ret;
+	int fd;
+	int pipefd[2];
+	pid_t pid;
+	int status;
+	char buf[sizeof(*handle) + MAX_HANDLE_SZ];
+	char tmpfile[] = "/tmp/ns-test-XXXXXX";
+	int tmpfd;
+
+	/* Create temporary file for bind mount */
+	tmpfd = mkstemp(tmpfile);
+	if (tmpfd < 0) {
+		SKIP(return, "Cannot create temporary file");
+	}
+	close(tmpfd);
+
+	ASSERT_EQ(pipe(pipefd), 0);
+
+	pid = fork();
+	ASSERT_GE(pid, 0);
+
+	if (pid == 0) {
+		/* Child process */
+		close(pipefd[0]);
+
+		/* Unshare mount namespace and make mounts private to avoid propagation */
+		ret = unshare(CLONE_NEWNS);
+		if (ret < 0) {
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			unlink(tmpfile);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+		ret = mount(NULL, "/", NULL, MS_PRIVATE | MS_REC, NULL);
+		if (ret < 0) {
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			unlink(tmpfile);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+
+		/* Create new network namespace */
+		ret = unshare(CLONE_NEWNET);
+		if (ret < 0) {
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			unlink(tmpfile);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+
+		/* Bind mount the namespace */
+		ret = mount("/proc/self/ns/net", tmpfile, NULL, MS_BIND, NULL);
+		if (ret < 0) {
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			unlink(tmpfile);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+
+		/* Get file handle */
+		fd = open("/proc/self/ns/net", O_RDONLY);
+		if (fd < 0) {
+			umount(tmpfile);
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			unlink(tmpfile);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+
+		handle = (struct file_handle *)buf;
+		handle->handle_bytes = MAX_HANDLE_SZ;
+		ret = name_to_handle_at(fd, "", handle, &mount_id, AT_EMPTY_PATH);
+		close(fd);
+
+		if (ret < 0) {
+			umount(tmpfile);
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			unlink(tmpfile);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+
+		/* Send handle to parent */
+		write(pipefd[1], buf, sizeof(*handle) + handle->handle_bytes);
+		close(pipefd[1]);
+		exit(0);
+	}
+
+	/* Parent */
+	close(pipefd[1]);
+	ret = read(pipefd[0], buf, sizeof(buf));
+	close(pipefd[0]);
+
+	waitpid(pid, &status, 0);
+	ASSERT_TRUE(WIFEXITED(status));
+	ASSERT_EQ(WEXITSTATUS(status), 0);
+
+	ASSERT_GT(ret, 0);
+	handle = (struct file_handle *)buf;
+
+	/*
+	 * Namespace should be inactive but still in tree due to bind mount.
+	 * Reopening should fail with ENOENT (inactive) not ESTALE (not in tree).
+	 */
+	fd = open_by_handle_at(FD_NSFS_ROOT, handle, O_RDONLY);
+	ASSERT_LT(fd, 0);
+	/* Should be ENOENT (inactive) since bind mount keeps it in tree */
+	if (errno != ENOENT && errno != ESTALE) {
+		TH_LOG("Unexpected error: %d", errno);
+	}
+
+	/* Cleanup */
+	umount(tmpfile);
+	unlink(tmpfile);
+}
+
+/*
+ * Test multi-level hierarchy (3+ levels deep).
+ * Grandparent → Parent → Child
+ * When child is active, both parent AND grandparent should be active.
+ */
+TEST(ns_multilevel_hierarchy)
+{
+	struct file_handle *gp_handle, *p_handle, *c_handle;
+	int ret, pipefd[2];
+	pid_t pid;
+	int status;
+	__u64 gp_id, p_id, c_id;
+	char gp_buf[sizeof(*gp_handle) + MAX_HANDLE_SZ];
+	char p_buf[sizeof(*p_handle) + MAX_HANDLE_SZ];
+	char c_buf[sizeof(*c_handle) + MAX_HANDLE_SZ];
+
+	ASSERT_EQ(pipe(pipefd), 0);
+	pid = fork();
+	ASSERT_GE(pid, 0);
+
+	if (pid == 0) {
+		close(pipefd[0]);
+
+		/* Create grandparent user namespace */
+		if (setup_userns() < 0) {
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+
+		int gp_fd = open("/proc/self/ns/user", O_RDONLY);
+		if (gp_fd < 0) {
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+		if (ioctl(gp_fd, NS_GET_ID, &gp_id) < 0) {
+			close(gp_fd);
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+		close(gp_fd);
+
+		/* Create parent user namespace */
+		if (setup_userns() < 0) {
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+
+		int p_fd = open("/proc/self/ns/user", O_RDONLY);
+		if (p_fd < 0) {
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+		if (ioctl(p_fd, NS_GET_ID, &p_id) < 0) {
+			close(p_fd);
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+		close(p_fd);
+
+		/* Create child user namespace */
+		if (setup_userns() < 0) {
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+
+		int c_fd = open("/proc/self/ns/user", O_RDONLY);
+		if (c_fd < 0) {
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+		if (ioctl(c_fd, NS_GET_ID, &c_id) < 0) {
+			close(c_fd);
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+		close(c_fd);
+
+		/* Send all three namespace IDs */
+		write(pipefd[1], &gp_id, sizeof(gp_id));
+		write(pipefd[1], &p_id, sizeof(p_id));
+		write(pipefd[1], &c_id, sizeof(c_id));
+		close(pipefd[1]);
+		exit(0);
+	}
+
+	close(pipefd[1]);
+
+	/* Read all three namespace IDs - fixed size, no parsing needed */
+	ret = read(pipefd[0], &gp_id, sizeof(gp_id));
+	if (ret != sizeof(gp_id)) {
+		close(pipefd[0]);
+		waitpid(pid, NULL, 0);
+		SKIP(return, "Failed to read grandparent namespace ID from child");
+	}
+
+	ret = read(pipefd[0], &p_id, sizeof(p_id));
+	if (ret != sizeof(p_id)) {
+		close(pipefd[0]);
+		waitpid(pid, NULL, 0);
+		SKIP(return, "Failed to read parent namespace ID from child");
+	}
+
+	ret = read(pipefd[0], &c_id, sizeof(c_id));
+	close(pipefd[0]);
+	if (ret != sizeof(c_id)) {
+		waitpid(pid, NULL, 0);
+		SKIP(return, "Failed to read child namespace ID from child");
+	}
+
+	/* Construct file handles from namespace IDs */
+	gp_handle = (struct file_handle *)gp_buf;
+	gp_handle->handle_bytes = sizeof(struct nsfs_file_handle);
+	gp_handle->handle_type = FILEID_NSFS;
+	struct nsfs_file_handle *gp_fh = (struct nsfs_file_handle *)gp_handle->f_handle;
+	gp_fh->ns_id = gp_id;
+	gp_fh->ns_type = 0;
+	gp_fh->ns_inum = 0;
+
+	p_handle = (struct file_handle *)p_buf;
+	p_handle->handle_bytes = sizeof(struct nsfs_file_handle);
+	p_handle->handle_type = FILEID_NSFS;
+	struct nsfs_file_handle *p_fh = (struct nsfs_file_handle *)p_handle->f_handle;
+	p_fh->ns_id = p_id;
+	p_fh->ns_type = 0;
+	p_fh->ns_inum = 0;
+
+	c_handle = (struct file_handle *)c_buf;
+	c_handle->handle_bytes = sizeof(struct nsfs_file_handle);
+	c_handle->handle_type = FILEID_NSFS;
+	struct nsfs_file_handle *c_fh = (struct nsfs_file_handle *)c_handle->f_handle;
+	c_fh->ns_id = c_id;
+	c_fh->ns_type = 0;
+	c_fh->ns_inum = 0;
+
+	/* Open child before process exits */
+	int c_fd = open_by_handle_at(FD_NSFS_ROOT, c_handle, O_RDONLY);
+	if (c_fd < 0) {
+		waitpid(pid, NULL, 0);
+		SKIP(return, "Failed to open child namespace");
+	}
+
+	waitpid(pid, &status, 0);
+	ASSERT_TRUE(WIFEXITED(status));
+	ASSERT_EQ(WEXITSTATUS(status), 0);
+
+	/*
+	 * With 3-level hierarchy and child active:
+	 * - Child is active (we hold fd)
+	 * - Parent should be active (propagated from child)
+	 * - Grandparent should be active (propagated from parent)
+	 */
+	TH_LOG("Testing parent active when child is active");
+	int p_fd = open_by_handle_at(FD_NSFS_ROOT, p_handle, O_RDONLY);
+	ASSERT_GE(p_fd, 0);
+
+	TH_LOG("Testing grandparent active when child is active");
+	int gp_fd = open_by_handle_at(FD_NSFS_ROOT, gp_handle, O_RDONLY);
+	ASSERT_GE(gp_fd, 0);
+
+	close(c_fd);
+	close(p_fd);
+	close(gp_fd);
+}
+
+/*
+ * Test multiple children sharing same parent.
+ * Parent should stay active as long as ANY child is active.
+ */
+TEST(ns_multiple_children_same_parent)
+{
+	struct file_handle *p_handle, *c1_handle, *c2_handle;
+	int ret, pipefd[2];
+	pid_t pid;
+	int status;
+	__u64 p_id, c1_id, c2_id;
+	char p_buf[sizeof(*p_handle) + MAX_HANDLE_SZ];
+	char c1_buf[sizeof(*c1_handle) + MAX_HANDLE_SZ];
+	char c2_buf[sizeof(*c2_handle) + MAX_HANDLE_SZ];
+
+	ASSERT_EQ(pipe(pipefd), 0);
+	pid = fork();
+	ASSERT_GE(pid, 0);
+
+	if (pid == 0) {
+		close(pipefd[0]);
+
+		/* Create parent user namespace */
+		if (setup_userns() < 0) {
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+
+		int p_fd = open("/proc/self/ns/user", O_RDONLY);
+		if (p_fd < 0) {
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+		if (ioctl(p_fd, NS_GET_ID, &p_id) < 0) {
+			close(p_fd);
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+		close(p_fd);
+
+		/* Create first child user namespace */
+		if (setup_userns() < 0) {
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+
+		int c1_fd = open("/proc/self/ns/user", O_RDONLY);
+		if (c1_fd < 0) {
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+		if (ioctl(c1_fd, NS_GET_ID, &c1_id) < 0) {
+			close(c1_fd);
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+		close(c1_fd);
+
+		/* Return to parent user namespace and create second child */
+		/* We can't actually do this easily, so let's create a sibling namespace
+		 * by creating a network namespace instead */
+		if (unshare(CLONE_NEWNET) < 0) {
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+
+		int c2_fd = open("/proc/self/ns/net", O_RDONLY);
+		if (c2_fd < 0) {
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+		if (ioctl(c2_fd, NS_GET_ID, &c2_id) < 0) {
+			close(c2_fd);
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+		close(c2_fd);
+
+		/* Send all namespace IDs */
+		write(pipefd[1], &p_id, sizeof(p_id));
+		write(pipefd[1], &c1_id, sizeof(c1_id));
+		write(pipefd[1], &c2_id, sizeof(c2_id));
+		close(pipefd[1]);
+		exit(0);
+	}
+
+	close(pipefd[1]);
+
+	/* Read all three namespace IDs - fixed size, no parsing needed */
+	ret = read(pipefd[0], &p_id, sizeof(p_id));
+	if (ret != sizeof(p_id)) {
+		close(pipefd[0]);
+		waitpid(pid, NULL, 0);
+		SKIP(return, "Failed to read parent namespace ID");
+	}
+
+	ret = read(pipefd[0], &c1_id, sizeof(c1_id));
+	if (ret != sizeof(c1_id)) {
+		close(pipefd[0]);
+		waitpid(pid, NULL, 0);
+		SKIP(return, "Failed to read first child namespace ID");
+	}
+
+	ret = read(pipefd[0], &c2_id, sizeof(c2_id));
+	close(pipefd[0]);
+	if (ret != sizeof(c2_id)) {
+		waitpid(pid, NULL, 0);
+		SKIP(return, "Failed to read second child namespace ID");
+	}
+
+	/* Construct file handles from namespace IDs */
+	p_handle = (struct file_handle *)p_buf;
+	p_handle->handle_bytes = sizeof(struct nsfs_file_handle);
+	p_handle->handle_type = FILEID_NSFS;
+	struct nsfs_file_handle *p_fh = (struct nsfs_file_handle *)p_handle->f_handle;
+	p_fh->ns_id = p_id;
+	p_fh->ns_type = 0;
+	p_fh->ns_inum = 0;
+
+	c1_handle = (struct file_handle *)c1_buf;
+	c1_handle->handle_bytes = sizeof(struct nsfs_file_handle);
+	c1_handle->handle_type = FILEID_NSFS;
+	struct nsfs_file_handle *c1_fh = (struct nsfs_file_handle *)c1_handle->f_handle;
+	c1_fh->ns_id = c1_id;
+	c1_fh->ns_type = 0;
+	c1_fh->ns_inum = 0;
+
+	c2_handle = (struct file_handle *)c2_buf;
+	c2_handle->handle_bytes = sizeof(struct nsfs_file_handle);
+	c2_handle->handle_type = FILEID_NSFS;
+	struct nsfs_file_handle *c2_fh = (struct nsfs_file_handle *)c2_handle->f_handle;
+	c2_fh->ns_id = c2_id;
+	c2_fh->ns_type = 0;
+	c2_fh->ns_inum = 0;
+
+	/* Open both children before process exits */
+	int c1_fd = open_by_handle_at(FD_NSFS_ROOT, c1_handle, O_RDONLY);
+	int c2_fd = open_by_handle_at(FD_NSFS_ROOT, c2_handle, O_RDONLY);
+
+	if (c1_fd < 0 || c2_fd < 0) {
+		if (c1_fd >= 0) close(c1_fd);
+		if (c2_fd >= 0) close(c2_fd);
+		waitpid(pid, NULL, 0);
+		SKIP(return, "Failed to open child namespaces");
+	}
+
+	waitpid(pid, &status, 0);
+	ASSERT_TRUE(WIFEXITED(status));
+	ASSERT_EQ(WEXITSTATUS(status), 0);
+
+	/* Parent should be active (both children active) */
+	TH_LOG("Both children active - parent should be active");
+	int p_fd = open_by_handle_at(FD_NSFS_ROOT, p_handle, O_RDONLY);
+	ASSERT_GE(p_fd, 0);
+	close(p_fd);
+
+	/* Close first child - parent should STILL be active */
+	TH_LOG("Closing first child - parent should still be active");
+	close(c1_fd);
+	p_fd = open_by_handle_at(FD_NSFS_ROOT, p_handle, O_RDONLY);
+	ASSERT_GE(p_fd, 0);
+	close(p_fd);
+
+	/* Close second child - NOW parent should become inactive */
+	TH_LOG("Closing second child - parent should become inactive");
+	close(c2_fd);
+	p_fd = open_by_handle_at(FD_NSFS_ROOT, p_handle, O_RDONLY);
+	ASSERT_LT(p_fd, 0);
+}
+
+/*
+ * Test that different namespace types with same owner all contribute
+ * active references to the owning user namespace.
+ */
+TEST(ns_different_types_same_owner)
+{
+	struct file_handle *u_handle, *n_handle, *ut_handle;
+	int ret, pipefd[2];
+	pid_t pid;
+	int status;
+	__u64 u_id, n_id, ut_id;
+	char u_buf[sizeof(*u_handle) + MAX_HANDLE_SZ];
+	char n_buf[sizeof(*n_handle) + MAX_HANDLE_SZ];
+	char ut_buf[sizeof(*ut_handle) + MAX_HANDLE_SZ];
+
+	ASSERT_EQ(pipe(pipefd), 0);
+	pid = fork();
+	ASSERT_GE(pid, 0);
+
+	if (pid == 0) {
+		close(pipefd[0]);
+
+		/* Create user namespace */
+		if (setup_userns() < 0) {
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+
+		int u_fd = open("/proc/self/ns/user", O_RDONLY);
+		if (u_fd < 0) {
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+		if (ioctl(u_fd, NS_GET_ID, &u_id) < 0) {
+			close(u_fd);
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+		close(u_fd);
+
+		/* Create network namespace (owned by user namespace) */
+		if (unshare(CLONE_NEWNET) < 0) {
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+
+		int n_fd = open("/proc/self/ns/net", O_RDONLY);
+		if (n_fd < 0) {
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+		if (ioctl(n_fd, NS_GET_ID, &n_id) < 0) {
+			close(n_fd);
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+		close(n_fd);
+
+		/* Create UTS namespace (also owned by user namespace) */
+		if (unshare(CLONE_NEWUTS) < 0) {
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+
+		int ut_fd = open("/proc/self/ns/uts", O_RDONLY);
+		if (ut_fd < 0) {
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+		if (ioctl(ut_fd, NS_GET_ID, &ut_id) < 0) {
+			close(ut_fd);
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+		close(ut_fd);
+
+		/* Send all namespace IDs */
+		write(pipefd[1], &u_id, sizeof(u_id));
+		write(pipefd[1], &n_id, sizeof(n_id));
+		write(pipefd[1], &ut_id, sizeof(ut_id));
+		close(pipefd[1]);
+		exit(0);
+	}
+
+	close(pipefd[1]);
+
+	/* Read all three namespace IDs - fixed size, no parsing needed */
+	ret = read(pipefd[0], &u_id, sizeof(u_id));
+	if (ret != sizeof(u_id)) {
+		close(pipefd[0]);
+		waitpid(pid, NULL, 0);
+		SKIP(return, "Failed to read user namespace ID");
+	}
+
+	ret = read(pipefd[0], &n_id, sizeof(n_id));
+	if (ret != sizeof(n_id)) {
+		close(pipefd[0]);
+		waitpid(pid, NULL, 0);
+		SKIP(return, "Failed to read network namespace ID");
+	}
+
+	ret = read(pipefd[0], &ut_id, sizeof(ut_id));
+	close(pipefd[0]);
+	if (ret != sizeof(ut_id)) {
+		waitpid(pid, NULL, 0);
+		SKIP(return, "Failed to read UTS namespace ID");
+	}
+
+	/* Construct file handles from namespace IDs */
+	u_handle = (struct file_handle *)u_buf;
+	u_handle->handle_bytes = sizeof(struct nsfs_file_handle);
+	u_handle->handle_type = FILEID_NSFS;
+	struct nsfs_file_handle *u_fh = (struct nsfs_file_handle *)u_handle->f_handle;
+	u_fh->ns_id = u_id;
+	u_fh->ns_type = 0;
+	u_fh->ns_inum = 0;
+
+	n_handle = (struct file_handle *)n_buf;
+	n_handle->handle_bytes = sizeof(struct nsfs_file_handle);
+	n_handle->handle_type = FILEID_NSFS;
+	struct nsfs_file_handle *n_fh = (struct nsfs_file_handle *)n_handle->f_handle;
+	n_fh->ns_id = n_id;
+	n_fh->ns_type = 0;
+	n_fh->ns_inum = 0;
+
+	ut_handle = (struct file_handle *)ut_buf;
+	ut_handle->handle_bytes = sizeof(struct nsfs_file_handle);
+	ut_handle->handle_type = FILEID_NSFS;
+	struct nsfs_file_handle *ut_fh = (struct nsfs_file_handle *)ut_handle->f_handle;
+	ut_fh->ns_id = ut_id;
+	ut_fh->ns_type = 0;
+	ut_fh->ns_inum = 0;
+
+	/* Open both non-user namespaces before process exits */
+	int n_fd = open_by_handle_at(FD_NSFS_ROOT, n_handle, O_RDONLY);
+	int ut_fd = open_by_handle_at(FD_NSFS_ROOT, ut_handle, O_RDONLY);
+
+	if (n_fd < 0 || ut_fd < 0) {
+		if (n_fd >= 0) close(n_fd);
+		if (ut_fd >= 0) close(ut_fd);
+		waitpid(pid, NULL, 0);
+		SKIP(return, "Failed to open namespaces");
+	}
+
+	waitpid(pid, &status, 0);
+	ASSERT_TRUE(WIFEXITED(status));
+	ASSERT_EQ(WEXITSTATUS(status), 0);
+
+	/*
+	 * Both network and UTS namespaces are active.
+	 * User namespace should be active (gets 2 active refs).
+	 */
+	TH_LOG("Both net and uts active - user namespace should be active");
+	int u_fd = open_by_handle_at(FD_NSFS_ROOT, u_handle, O_RDONLY);
+	ASSERT_GE(u_fd, 0);
+	close(u_fd);
+
+	/* Close network namespace - user namespace should STILL be active */
+	TH_LOG("Closing network ns - user ns should still be active (uts still active)");
+	close(n_fd);
+	u_fd = open_by_handle_at(FD_NSFS_ROOT, u_handle, O_RDONLY);
+	ASSERT_GE(u_fd, 0);
+	close(u_fd);
+
+	/* Close UTS namespace - user namespace should become inactive */
+	TH_LOG("Closing uts ns - user ns should become inactive");
+	close(ut_fd);
+	u_fd = open_by_handle_at(FD_NSFS_ROOT, u_handle, O_RDONLY);
+	ASSERT_LT(u_fd, 0);
+}
+
+/*
+ * Test hierarchical propagation with deep namespace hierarchy.
+ * Create: init_user_ns -> user_A -> user_B -> net_ns
+ * When net_ns is active, both user_A and user_B should be active.
+ * This verifies the conditional recursion in __ns_ref_active_put() works.
+ */
+TEST(ns_deep_hierarchy_propagation)
+{
+	struct file_handle *ua_handle, *ub_handle, *net_handle;
+	int ret, pipefd[2];
+	pid_t pid;
+	int status;
+	__u64 ua_id, ub_id, net_id;
+	char ua_buf[sizeof(*ua_handle) + MAX_HANDLE_SZ];
+	char ub_buf[sizeof(*ub_handle) + MAX_HANDLE_SZ];
+	char net_buf[sizeof(*net_handle) + MAX_HANDLE_SZ];
+
+	ASSERT_EQ(pipe(pipefd), 0);
+	pid = fork();
+	ASSERT_GE(pid, 0);
+
+	if (pid == 0) {
+		close(pipefd[0]);
+
+		/* Create user_A -> user_B -> net hierarchy */
+		if (setup_userns() < 0) {
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+
+		int ua_fd = open("/proc/self/ns/user", O_RDONLY);
+		if (ua_fd < 0) {
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+		if (ioctl(ua_fd, NS_GET_ID, &ua_id) < 0) {
+			close(ua_fd);
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+		close(ua_fd);
+
+		if (setup_userns() < 0) {
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+
+		int ub_fd = open("/proc/self/ns/user", O_RDONLY);
+		if (ub_fd < 0) {
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+		if (ioctl(ub_fd, NS_GET_ID, &ub_id) < 0) {
+			close(ub_fd);
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+		close(ub_fd);
+
+		if (unshare(CLONE_NEWNET) < 0) {
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+
+		int net_fd = open("/proc/self/ns/net", O_RDONLY);
+		if (net_fd < 0) {
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+		if (ioctl(net_fd, NS_GET_ID, &net_id) < 0) {
+			close(net_fd);
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+		close(net_fd);
+
+		/* Send all three namespace IDs */
+		write(pipefd[1], &ua_id, sizeof(ua_id));
+		write(pipefd[1], &ub_id, sizeof(ub_id));
+		write(pipefd[1], &net_id, sizeof(net_id));
+		close(pipefd[1]);
+		exit(0);
+	}
+
+	close(pipefd[1]);
+
+	/* Read all three namespace IDs - fixed size, no parsing needed */
+	ret = read(pipefd[0], &ua_id, sizeof(ua_id));
+	if (ret != sizeof(ua_id)) {
+		close(pipefd[0]);
+		waitpid(pid, NULL, 0);
+		SKIP(return, "Failed to read user_A namespace ID");
+	}
+
+	ret = read(pipefd[0], &ub_id, sizeof(ub_id));
+	if (ret != sizeof(ub_id)) {
+		close(pipefd[0]);
+		waitpid(pid, NULL, 0);
+		SKIP(return, "Failed to read user_B namespace ID");
+	}
+
+	ret = read(pipefd[0], &net_id, sizeof(net_id));
+	close(pipefd[0]);
+	if (ret != sizeof(net_id)) {
+		waitpid(pid, NULL, 0);
+		SKIP(return, "Failed to read network namespace ID");
+	}
+
+	/* Construct file handles from namespace IDs */
+	ua_handle = (struct file_handle *)ua_buf;
+	ua_handle->handle_bytes = sizeof(struct nsfs_file_handle);
+	ua_handle->handle_type = FILEID_NSFS;
+	struct nsfs_file_handle *ua_fh = (struct nsfs_file_handle *)ua_handle->f_handle;
+	ua_fh->ns_id = ua_id;
+	ua_fh->ns_type = 0;
+	ua_fh->ns_inum = 0;
+
+	ub_handle = (struct file_handle *)ub_buf;
+	ub_handle->handle_bytes = sizeof(struct nsfs_file_handle);
+	ub_handle->handle_type = FILEID_NSFS;
+	struct nsfs_file_handle *ub_fh = (struct nsfs_file_handle *)ub_handle->f_handle;
+	ub_fh->ns_id = ub_id;
+	ub_fh->ns_type = 0;
+	ub_fh->ns_inum = 0;
+
+	net_handle = (struct file_handle *)net_buf;
+	net_handle->handle_bytes = sizeof(struct nsfs_file_handle);
+	net_handle->handle_type = FILEID_NSFS;
+	struct nsfs_file_handle *net_fh = (struct nsfs_file_handle *)net_handle->f_handle;
+	net_fh->ns_id = net_id;
+	net_fh->ns_type = 0;
+	net_fh->ns_inum = 0;
+
+	/* Open net_ns before child exits to keep it active */
+	int net_fd = open_by_handle_at(FD_NSFS_ROOT, net_handle, O_RDONLY);
+	if (net_fd < 0) {
+		waitpid(pid, NULL, 0);
+		SKIP(return, "Failed to open network namespace");
+	}
+
+	waitpid(pid, &status, 0);
+	ASSERT_TRUE(WIFEXITED(status));
+	ASSERT_EQ(WEXITSTATUS(status), 0);
+
+	/* With net_ns active, both user_A and user_B should be active */
+	TH_LOG("Testing user_B active (net_ns active causes propagation)");
+	int ub_fd = open_by_handle_at(FD_NSFS_ROOT, ub_handle, O_RDONLY);
+	ASSERT_GE(ub_fd, 0);
+
+	TH_LOG("Testing user_A active (propagated through user_B)");
+	int ua_fd = open_by_handle_at(FD_NSFS_ROOT, ua_handle, O_RDONLY);
+	ASSERT_GE(ua_fd, 0);
+
+	/* Close net_ns - user_B should stay active (we hold direct ref) */
+	TH_LOG("Closing net_ns, user_B should remain active (direct ref held)");
+	close(net_fd);
+	int ub_fd2 = open_by_handle_at(FD_NSFS_ROOT, ub_handle, O_RDONLY);
+	ASSERT_GE(ub_fd2, 0);
+	close(ub_fd2);
+
+	/* Close user_B - user_A should stay active (we hold direct ref) */
+	TH_LOG("Closing user_B, user_A should remain active (direct ref held)");
+	close(ub_fd);
+	int ua_fd2 = open_by_handle_at(FD_NSFS_ROOT, ua_handle, O_RDONLY);
+	ASSERT_GE(ua_fd2, 0);
+	close(ua_fd2);
+
+	/* Close user_A - everything should become inactive */
+	TH_LOG("Closing user_A, all should become inactive");
+	close(ua_fd);
+
+	/* All should now be inactive */
+	ua_fd = open_by_handle_at(FD_NSFS_ROOT, ua_handle, O_RDONLY);
+	ASSERT_LT(ua_fd, 0);
+}
+
+/*
+ * Test that parent stays active as long as ANY child is active.
+ * Create parent user namespace with two child net namespaces.
+ * Parent should remain active until BOTH children are inactive.
+ */
+TEST(ns_parent_multiple_children_refcount)
+{
+	struct file_handle *parent_handle, *net1_handle, *net2_handle;
+	int ret, pipefd[2], syncpipe[2];
+	pid_t pid;
+	int status;
+	__u64 p_id, n1_id, n2_id;
+	char p_buf[sizeof(*parent_handle) + MAX_HANDLE_SZ];
+	char n1_buf[sizeof(*net1_handle) + MAX_HANDLE_SZ];
+	char n2_buf[sizeof(*net2_handle) + MAX_HANDLE_SZ];
+	char sync_byte;
+
+	ASSERT_EQ(pipe(pipefd), 0);
+	ASSERT_EQ(pipe(syncpipe), 0);
+	pid = fork();
+	ASSERT_GE(pid, 0);
+
+	if (pid == 0) {
+		close(pipefd[0]);
+		close(syncpipe[1]);
+
+		/* Create parent user namespace */
+		if (setup_userns() < 0) {
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+
+		int p_fd = open("/proc/self/ns/user", O_RDONLY);
+		if (p_fd < 0) {
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+		if (ioctl(p_fd, NS_GET_ID, &p_id) < 0) {
+			close(p_fd);
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+		close(p_fd);
+
+		/* Create first network namespace */
+		if (unshare(CLONE_NEWNET) < 0) {
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			close(syncpipe[0]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+
+		int n1_fd = open("/proc/self/ns/net", O_RDONLY);
+		if (n1_fd < 0) {
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			close(syncpipe[0]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+		if (ioctl(n1_fd, NS_GET_ID, &n1_id) < 0) {
+			close(n1_fd);
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			close(syncpipe[0]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+		/* Keep n1_fd open so first namespace stays active */
+
+		/* Create second network namespace */
+		if (unshare(CLONE_NEWNET) < 0) {
+			close(n1_fd);
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			close(syncpipe[0]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+
+		int n2_fd = open("/proc/self/ns/net", O_RDONLY);
+		if (n2_fd < 0) {
+			close(n1_fd);
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			close(syncpipe[0]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+		if (ioctl(n2_fd, NS_GET_ID, &n2_id) < 0) {
+			close(n1_fd);
+			close(n2_fd);
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			close(syncpipe[0]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+		/* Keep both n1_fd and n2_fd open */
+
+		/* Send all namespace IDs */
+		write(pipefd[1], &p_id, sizeof(p_id));
+		write(pipefd[1], &n1_id, sizeof(n1_id));
+		write(pipefd[1], &n2_id, sizeof(n2_id));
+		close(pipefd[1]);
+
+		/* Wait for parent to signal before exiting */
+		read(syncpipe[0], &sync_byte, 1);
+		close(syncpipe[0]);
+		exit(0);
+	}
+
+	close(pipefd[1]);
+	close(syncpipe[0]);
+
+	/* Read all three namespace IDs - fixed size, no parsing needed */
+	ret = read(pipefd[0], &p_id, sizeof(p_id));
+	if (ret != sizeof(p_id)) {
+		close(pipefd[0]);
+		waitpid(pid, NULL, 0);
+		SKIP(return, "Failed to read parent namespace ID");
+	}
+
+	ret = read(pipefd[0], &n1_id, sizeof(n1_id));
+	if (ret != sizeof(n1_id)) {
+		close(pipefd[0]);
+		waitpid(pid, NULL, 0);
+		SKIP(return, "Failed to read first network namespace ID");
+	}
+
+	ret = read(pipefd[0], &n2_id, sizeof(n2_id));
+	close(pipefd[0]);
+	if (ret != sizeof(n2_id)) {
+		waitpid(pid, NULL, 0);
+		SKIP(return, "Failed to read second network namespace ID");
+	}
+
+	/* Construct file handles from namespace IDs */
+	parent_handle = (struct file_handle *)p_buf;
+	parent_handle->handle_bytes = sizeof(struct nsfs_file_handle);
+	parent_handle->handle_type = FILEID_NSFS;
+	struct nsfs_file_handle *p_fh = (struct nsfs_file_handle *)parent_handle->f_handle;
+	p_fh->ns_id = p_id;
+	p_fh->ns_type = 0;
+	p_fh->ns_inum = 0;
+
+	net1_handle = (struct file_handle *)n1_buf;
+	net1_handle->handle_bytes = sizeof(struct nsfs_file_handle);
+	net1_handle->handle_type = FILEID_NSFS;
+	struct nsfs_file_handle *n1_fh = (struct nsfs_file_handle *)net1_handle->f_handle;
+	n1_fh->ns_id = n1_id;
+	n1_fh->ns_type = 0;
+	n1_fh->ns_inum = 0;
+
+	net2_handle = (struct file_handle *)n2_buf;
+	net2_handle->handle_bytes = sizeof(struct nsfs_file_handle);
+	net2_handle->handle_type = FILEID_NSFS;
+	struct nsfs_file_handle *n2_fh = (struct nsfs_file_handle *)net2_handle->f_handle;
+	n2_fh->ns_id = n2_id;
+	n2_fh->ns_type = 0;
+	n2_fh->ns_inum = 0;
+
+	/* Open both net namespaces while child is still alive */
+	int n1_fd = open_by_handle_at(FD_NSFS_ROOT, net1_handle, O_RDONLY);
+	int n2_fd = open_by_handle_at(FD_NSFS_ROOT, net2_handle, O_RDONLY);
+	if (n1_fd < 0 || n2_fd < 0) {
+		if (n1_fd >= 0) close(n1_fd);
+		if (n2_fd >= 0) close(n2_fd);
+		sync_byte = 'G';
+		write(syncpipe[1], &sync_byte, 1);
+		close(syncpipe[1]);
+		waitpid(pid, NULL, 0);
+		SKIP(return, "Failed to open net namespaces");
+	}
+
+	/* Signal child that we have opened the namespaces */
+	sync_byte = 'G';
+	write(syncpipe[1], &sync_byte, 1);
+	close(syncpipe[1]);
+
+	/* Wait for child to exit */
+	waitpid(pid, &status, 0);
+	ASSERT_TRUE(WIFEXITED(status));
+	ASSERT_EQ(WEXITSTATUS(status), 0);
+
+	/* Parent should be active (has 2 active children) */
+	TH_LOG("Both net namespaces active - parent should be active");
+	int p_fd = open_by_handle_at(FD_NSFS_ROOT, parent_handle, O_RDONLY);
+	ASSERT_GE(p_fd, 0);
+	close(p_fd);
+
+	/* Close first net namespace - parent should STILL be active */
+	TH_LOG("Closing first net ns - parent should still be active");
+	close(n1_fd);
+	p_fd = open_by_handle_at(FD_NSFS_ROOT, parent_handle, O_RDONLY);
+	ASSERT_GE(p_fd, 0);
+	close(p_fd);
+
+	/* Close second net namespace - parent should become inactive */
+	TH_LOG("Closing second net ns - parent should become inactive");
+	close(n2_fd);
+	p_fd = open_by_handle_at(FD_NSFS_ROOT, parent_handle, O_RDONLY);
+	ASSERT_LT(p_fd, 0);
+}
+
+/*
+ * Test that user namespace as a child also propagates correctly.
+ * Create user_A -> user_B, verify when user_B is active that user_A
+ * is also active. This is different from non-user namespace children.
+ */
+TEST(ns_userns_child_propagation)
+{
+	struct file_handle *ua_handle, *ub_handle;
+	int ret, pipefd[2];
+	pid_t pid;
+	int status;
+	__u64 ua_id, ub_id;
+	char ua_buf[sizeof(*ua_handle) + MAX_HANDLE_SZ];
+	char ub_buf[sizeof(*ub_handle) + MAX_HANDLE_SZ];
+
+	ASSERT_EQ(pipe(pipefd), 0);
+	pid = fork();
+	ASSERT_GE(pid, 0);
+
+	if (pid == 0) {
+		close(pipefd[0]);
+
+		/* Create user_A */
+		if (setup_userns() < 0) {
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+
+		int ua_fd = open("/proc/self/ns/user", O_RDONLY);
+		if (ua_fd < 0) {
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+		if (ioctl(ua_fd, NS_GET_ID, &ua_id) < 0) {
+			close(ua_fd);
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+		close(ua_fd);
+
+		/* Create user_B (child of user_A) */
+		if (setup_userns() < 0) {
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+
+		int ub_fd = open("/proc/self/ns/user", O_RDONLY);
+		if (ub_fd < 0) {
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+		if (ioctl(ub_fd, NS_GET_ID, &ub_id) < 0) {
+			close(ub_fd);
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+		close(ub_fd);
+
+		/* Send both namespace IDs */
+		write(pipefd[1], &ua_id, sizeof(ua_id));
+		write(pipefd[1], &ub_id, sizeof(ub_id));
+		close(pipefd[1]);
+		exit(0);
+	}
+
+	close(pipefd[1]);
+
+	/* Read both namespace IDs - fixed size, no parsing needed */
+	ret = read(pipefd[0], &ua_id, sizeof(ua_id));
+	if (ret != sizeof(ua_id)) {
+		close(pipefd[0]);
+		waitpid(pid, NULL, 0);
+		SKIP(return, "Failed to read user_A namespace ID");
+	}
+
+	ret = read(pipefd[0], &ub_id, sizeof(ub_id));
+	close(pipefd[0]);
+	if (ret != sizeof(ub_id)) {
+		waitpid(pid, NULL, 0);
+		SKIP(return, "Failed to read user_B namespace ID");
+	}
+
+	/* Construct file handles from namespace IDs */
+	ua_handle = (struct file_handle *)ua_buf;
+	ua_handle->handle_bytes = sizeof(struct nsfs_file_handle);
+	ua_handle->handle_type = FILEID_NSFS;
+	struct nsfs_file_handle *ua_fh = (struct nsfs_file_handle *)ua_handle->f_handle;
+	ua_fh->ns_id = ua_id;
+	ua_fh->ns_type = 0;
+	ua_fh->ns_inum = 0;
+
+	ub_handle = (struct file_handle *)ub_buf;
+	ub_handle->handle_bytes = sizeof(struct nsfs_file_handle);
+	ub_handle->handle_type = FILEID_NSFS;
+	struct nsfs_file_handle *ub_fh = (struct nsfs_file_handle *)ub_handle->f_handle;
+	ub_fh->ns_id = ub_id;
+	ub_fh->ns_type = 0;
+	ub_fh->ns_inum = 0;
+
+	/* Open user_B before child exits */
+	int ub_fd = open_by_handle_at(FD_NSFS_ROOT, ub_handle, O_RDONLY);
+	if (ub_fd < 0) {
+		waitpid(pid, NULL, 0);
+		SKIP(return, "Failed to open user_B");
+	}
+
+	waitpid(pid, &status, 0);
+	ASSERT_TRUE(WIFEXITED(status));
+	ASSERT_EQ(WEXITSTATUS(status), 0);
+
+	/* With user_B active, user_A should also be active */
+	TH_LOG("Testing user_A active when child user_B is active");
+	int ua_fd = open_by_handle_at(FD_NSFS_ROOT, ua_handle, O_RDONLY);
+	ASSERT_GE(ua_fd, 0);
+
+	/* Close user_B */
+	TH_LOG("Closing user_B");
+	close(ub_fd);
+
+	/* user_A should remain active (we hold direct ref) */
+	int ua_fd2 = open_by_handle_at(FD_NSFS_ROOT, ua_handle, O_RDONLY);
+	ASSERT_GE(ua_fd2, 0);
+	close(ua_fd2);
+
+	/* Close user_A - should become inactive */
+	TH_LOG("Closing user_A - should become inactive");
+	close(ua_fd);
+
+	ua_fd = open_by_handle_at(FD_NSFS_ROOT, ua_handle, O_RDONLY);
+	ASSERT_LT(ua_fd, 0);
+}
+
+/*
+ * Test different namespace types (net, uts, ipc) all contributing
+ * active references to the same owning user namespace.
+ */
+TEST(ns_mixed_types_same_owner)
+{
+	struct file_handle *user_handle, *net_handle, *uts_handle;
+	int ret, pipefd[2];
+	pid_t pid;
+	int status;
+	__u64 u_id, n_id, ut_id;
+	char u_buf[sizeof(*user_handle) + MAX_HANDLE_SZ];
+	char n_buf[sizeof(*net_handle) + MAX_HANDLE_SZ];
+	char ut_buf[sizeof(*uts_handle) + MAX_HANDLE_SZ];
+
+	ASSERT_EQ(pipe(pipefd), 0);
+	pid = fork();
+	ASSERT_GE(pid, 0);
+
+	if (pid == 0) {
+		close(pipefd[0]);
+
+		if (setup_userns() < 0) {
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+
+		int u_fd = open("/proc/self/ns/user", O_RDONLY);
+		if (u_fd < 0) {
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+		if (ioctl(u_fd, NS_GET_ID, &u_id) < 0) {
+			close(u_fd);
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+		close(u_fd);
+
+		if (unshare(CLONE_NEWNET) < 0) {
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+
+		int n_fd = open("/proc/self/ns/net", O_RDONLY);
+		if (n_fd < 0) {
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+		if (ioctl(n_fd, NS_GET_ID, &n_id) < 0) {
+			close(n_fd);
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+		close(n_fd);
+
+		if (unshare(CLONE_NEWUTS) < 0) {
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+
+		int ut_fd = open("/proc/self/ns/uts", O_RDONLY);
+		if (ut_fd < 0) {
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+		if (ioctl(ut_fd, NS_GET_ID, &ut_id) < 0) {
+			close(ut_fd);
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+		close(ut_fd);
+
+		/* Send all namespace IDs */
+		write(pipefd[1], &u_id, sizeof(u_id));
+		write(pipefd[1], &n_id, sizeof(n_id));
+		write(pipefd[1], &ut_id, sizeof(ut_id));
+		close(pipefd[1]);
+		exit(0);
+	}
+
+	close(pipefd[1]);
+
+	/* Read all three namespace IDs - fixed size, no parsing needed */
+	ret = read(pipefd[0], &u_id, sizeof(u_id));
+	if (ret != sizeof(u_id)) {
+		close(pipefd[0]);
+		waitpid(pid, NULL, 0);
+		SKIP(return, "Failed to read user namespace ID");
+	}
+
+	ret = read(pipefd[0], &n_id, sizeof(n_id));
+	if (ret != sizeof(n_id)) {
+		close(pipefd[0]);
+		waitpid(pid, NULL, 0);
+		SKIP(return, "Failed to read network namespace ID");
+	}
+
+	ret = read(pipefd[0], &ut_id, sizeof(ut_id));
+	close(pipefd[0]);
+	if (ret != sizeof(ut_id)) {
+		waitpid(pid, NULL, 0);
+		SKIP(return, "Failed to read UTS namespace ID");
+	}
+
+	/* Construct file handles from namespace IDs */
+	user_handle = (struct file_handle *)u_buf;
+	user_handle->handle_bytes = sizeof(struct nsfs_file_handle);
+	user_handle->handle_type = FILEID_NSFS;
+	struct nsfs_file_handle *u_fh = (struct nsfs_file_handle *)user_handle->f_handle;
+	u_fh->ns_id = u_id;
+	u_fh->ns_type = 0;
+	u_fh->ns_inum = 0;
+
+	net_handle = (struct file_handle *)n_buf;
+	net_handle->handle_bytes = sizeof(struct nsfs_file_handle);
+	net_handle->handle_type = FILEID_NSFS;
+	struct nsfs_file_handle *n_fh = (struct nsfs_file_handle *)net_handle->f_handle;
+	n_fh->ns_id = n_id;
+	n_fh->ns_type = 0;
+	n_fh->ns_inum = 0;
+
+	uts_handle = (struct file_handle *)ut_buf;
+	uts_handle->handle_bytes = sizeof(struct nsfs_file_handle);
+	uts_handle->handle_type = FILEID_NSFS;
+	struct nsfs_file_handle *ut_fh = (struct nsfs_file_handle *)uts_handle->f_handle;
+	ut_fh->ns_id = ut_id;
+	ut_fh->ns_type = 0;
+	ut_fh->ns_inum = 0;
+
+	/* Open both non-user namespaces */
+	int n_fd = open_by_handle_at(FD_NSFS_ROOT, net_handle, O_RDONLY);
+	int ut_fd = open_by_handle_at(FD_NSFS_ROOT, uts_handle, O_RDONLY);
+	if (n_fd < 0 || ut_fd < 0) {
+		if (n_fd >= 0) close(n_fd);
+		if (ut_fd >= 0) close(ut_fd);
+		waitpid(pid, NULL, 0);
+		SKIP(return, "Failed to open namespaces");
+	}
+
+	waitpid(pid, &status, 0);
+	ASSERT_TRUE(WIFEXITED(status));
+	ASSERT_EQ(WEXITSTATUS(status), 0);
+
+	/* User namespace should be active (2 active children) */
+	TH_LOG("Both net and uts active - user ns should be active");
+	int u_fd = open_by_handle_at(FD_NSFS_ROOT, user_handle, O_RDONLY);
+	ASSERT_GE(u_fd, 0);
+	close(u_fd);
+
+	/* Close net - user ns should STILL be active (uts still active) */
+	TH_LOG("Closing net - user ns should still be active");
+	close(n_fd);
+	u_fd = open_by_handle_at(FD_NSFS_ROOT, user_handle, O_RDONLY);
+	ASSERT_GE(u_fd, 0);
+	close(u_fd);
+
+	/* Close uts - user ns should become inactive */
+	TH_LOG("Closing uts - user ns should become inactive");
+	close(ut_fd);
+	u_fd = open_by_handle_at(FD_NSFS_ROOT, user_handle, O_RDONLY);
+	ASSERT_LT(u_fd, 0);
+}
+
+/* Thread test helpers and structures */
+struct thread_ns_info {
+	__u64 ns_id;
+	int pipefd;
+	int syncfd_read;
+	int syncfd_write;
+	int exit_code;
+};
+
+static void *thread_create_namespace(void *arg)
+{
+	struct thread_ns_info *info = (struct thread_ns_info *)arg;
+	int ret;
+
+	/* Create new network namespace */
+	ret = unshare(CLONE_NEWNET);
+	if (ret < 0) {
+		info->exit_code = 1;
+		return NULL;
+	}
+
+	/* Get namespace ID */
+	int fd = open("/proc/thread-self/ns/net", O_RDONLY);
+	if (fd < 0) {
+		info->exit_code = 2;
+		return NULL;
+	}
+
+	ret = ioctl(fd, NS_GET_ID, &info->ns_id);
+	close(fd);
+	if (ret < 0) {
+		info->exit_code = 3;
+		return NULL;
+	}
+
+	/* Send namespace ID to main thread */
+	if (write(info->pipefd, &info->ns_id, sizeof(info->ns_id)) != sizeof(info->ns_id)) {
+		info->exit_code = 4;
+		return NULL;
+	}
+
+	/* Wait for signal to exit */
+	char sync_byte;
+	if (read(info->syncfd_read, &sync_byte, 1) != 1) {
+		info->exit_code = 5;
+		return NULL;
+	}
+
+	info->exit_code = 0;
+	return NULL;
+}
+
+/*
+ * Test that namespace becomes inactive after thread exits.
+ * This verifies active reference counting works with threads, not just processes.
+ */
+TEST(thread_ns_inactive_after_exit)
+{
+	pthread_t thread;
+	struct thread_ns_info info;
+	struct file_handle *handle;
+	int pipefd[2];
+	int syncpipe[2];
+	int ret;
+	char sync_byte;
+	char buf[sizeof(*handle) + MAX_HANDLE_SZ];
+
+	ASSERT_EQ(pipe(pipefd), 0);
+	ASSERT_EQ(pipe(syncpipe), 0);
+
+	info.pipefd = pipefd[1];
+	info.syncfd_read = syncpipe[0];
+	info.syncfd_write = -1;
+	info.exit_code = -1;
+
+	/* Create thread that will create a namespace */
+	ret = pthread_create(&thread, NULL, thread_create_namespace, &info);
+	ASSERT_EQ(ret, 0);
+
+	/* Read namespace ID from thread */
+	__u64 ns_id;
+	ret = read(pipefd[0], &ns_id, sizeof(ns_id));
+	if (ret != sizeof(ns_id)) {
+		sync_byte = 'X';
+		write(syncpipe[1], &sync_byte, 1);
+		pthread_join(thread, NULL);
+		close(pipefd[0]);
+		close(pipefd[1]);
+		close(syncpipe[0]);
+		close(syncpipe[1]);
+		SKIP(return, "Failed to read namespace ID from thread");
+	}
+
+	TH_LOG("Thread created namespace with ID %llu", (unsigned long long)ns_id);
+
+	/* Construct file handle */
+	handle = (struct file_handle *)buf;
+	handle->handle_bytes = sizeof(struct nsfs_file_handle);
+	handle->handle_type = FILEID_NSFS;
+	struct nsfs_file_handle *fh = (struct nsfs_file_handle *)handle->f_handle;
+	fh->ns_id = ns_id;
+	fh->ns_type = 0;
+	fh->ns_inum = 0;
+
+	/* Namespace should be active while thread is alive */
+	TH_LOG("Attempting to open namespace while thread is alive (should succeed)");
+	int nsfd = open_by_handle_at(FD_NSFS_ROOT, handle, O_RDONLY);
+	ASSERT_GE(nsfd, 0);
+	close(nsfd);
+
+	/* Signal thread to exit */
+	TH_LOG("Signaling thread to exit");
+	sync_byte = 'X';
+	ASSERT_EQ(write(syncpipe[1], &sync_byte, 1), 1);
+	close(syncpipe[1]);
+
+	/* Wait for thread to exit */
+	ASSERT_EQ(pthread_join(thread, NULL), 0);
+	close(pipefd[0]);
+	close(pipefd[1]);
+	close(syncpipe[0]);
+
+	if (info.exit_code != 0)
+		SKIP(return, "Thread failed to create namespace");
+
+	TH_LOG("Thread exited, namespace should be inactive");
+
+	/* Namespace should now be inactive */
+	nsfd = open_by_handle_at(FD_NSFS_ROOT, handle, O_RDONLY);
+	ASSERT_LT(nsfd, 0);
+	/* Should fail with ENOENT (inactive) or ESTALE (gone) */
+	TH_LOG("Namespace inactive as expected: %s (errno=%d)", strerror(errno), errno);
+	ASSERT_TRUE(errno == ENOENT || errno == ESTALE);
+}
+
+/*
+ * Test that a namespace remains active while a thread holds an fd to it.
+ * Even after the thread exits, the namespace should remain active as long as
+ * another thread holds a file descriptor to it.
+ */
+TEST(thread_ns_fd_keeps_active)
+{
+	pthread_t thread;
+	struct thread_ns_info info;
+	struct file_handle *handle;
+	int pipefd[2];
+	int syncpipe[2];
+	int ret;
+	char sync_byte;
+	char buf[sizeof(*handle) + MAX_HANDLE_SZ];
+
+	ASSERT_EQ(pipe(pipefd), 0);
+	ASSERT_EQ(pipe(syncpipe), 0);
+
+	info.pipefd = pipefd[1];
+	info.syncfd_read = syncpipe[0];
+	info.syncfd_write = -1;
+	info.exit_code = -1;
+
+	/* Create thread that will create a namespace */
+	ret = pthread_create(&thread, NULL, thread_create_namespace, &info);
+	ASSERT_EQ(ret, 0);
+
+	/* Read namespace ID from thread */
+	__u64 ns_id;
+	ret = read(pipefd[0], &ns_id, sizeof(ns_id));
+	if (ret != sizeof(ns_id)) {
+		sync_byte = 'X';
+		write(syncpipe[1], &sync_byte, 1);
+		pthread_join(thread, NULL);
+		close(pipefd[0]);
+		close(pipefd[1]);
+		close(syncpipe[0]);
+		close(syncpipe[1]);
+		SKIP(return, "Failed to read namespace ID from thread");
+	}
+
+	TH_LOG("Thread created namespace with ID %llu", (unsigned long long)ns_id);
+
+	/* Construct file handle */
+	handle = (struct file_handle *)buf;
+	handle->handle_bytes = sizeof(struct nsfs_file_handle);
+	handle->handle_type = FILEID_NSFS;
+	struct nsfs_file_handle *fh = (struct nsfs_file_handle *)handle->f_handle;
+	fh->ns_id = ns_id;
+	fh->ns_type = 0;
+	fh->ns_inum = 0;
+
+	/* Open namespace while thread is alive */
+	TH_LOG("Opening namespace while thread is alive");
+	int nsfd = open_by_handle_at(FD_NSFS_ROOT, handle, O_RDONLY);
+	ASSERT_GE(nsfd, 0);
+
+	/* Signal thread to exit */
+	TH_LOG("Signaling thread to exit");
+	sync_byte = 'X';
+	write(syncpipe[1], &sync_byte, 1);
+	close(syncpipe[1]);
+
+	/* Wait for thread to exit */
+	pthread_join(thread, NULL);
+	close(pipefd[0]);
+	close(pipefd[1]);
+	close(syncpipe[0]);
+
+	if (info.exit_code != 0) {
+		close(nsfd);
+		SKIP(return, "Thread failed to create namespace");
+	}
+
+	TH_LOG("Thread exited, but main thread holds fd - namespace should remain active");
+
+	/* Namespace should still be active because we hold an fd */
+	int nsfd2 = open_by_handle_at(FD_NSFS_ROOT, handle, O_RDONLY);
+	ASSERT_GE(nsfd2, 0);
+
+	/* Verify it's the same namespace */
+	struct stat st1, st2;
+	ASSERT_EQ(fstat(nsfd, &st1), 0);
+	ASSERT_EQ(fstat(nsfd2, &st2), 0);
+	ASSERT_EQ(st1.st_ino, st2.st_ino);
+	close(nsfd2);
+
+	TH_LOG("Closing fd - namespace should become inactive");
+	close(nsfd);
+
+	/* Now namespace should be inactive */
+	nsfd = open_by_handle_at(FD_NSFS_ROOT, handle, O_RDONLY);
+	ASSERT_LT(nsfd, 0);
+	/* Should fail with ENOENT (inactive) or ESTALE (gone) */
+	TH_LOG("Namespace inactive as expected: %s (errno=%d)", strerror(errno), errno);
+	ASSERT_TRUE(errno == ENOENT || errno == ESTALE);
+}
+
+/* Structure for thread data in subprocess */
+struct thread_sleep_data {
+	int syncfd_read;
+};
+
+static void *thread_sleep_and_wait(void *arg)
+{
+	struct thread_sleep_data *data = (struct thread_sleep_data *)arg;
+	char sync_byte;
+
+	/* Wait for signal to exit - read will unblock when pipe is closed */
+	(void)read(data->syncfd_read, &sync_byte, 1);
+	return NULL;
+}
+
+/*
+ * Test that namespaces become inactive after subprocess with multiple threads exits.
+ * Create a subprocess that unshares user and network namespaces, then creates two
+ * threads that share those namespaces. Verify that after all threads and subprocess
+ * exit, the namespaces are no longer listed by listns() and cannot be opened by
+ * open_by_handle_at().
+ */
+TEST(thread_subprocess_ns_inactive_after_all_exit)
+{
+	int pipefd[2];
+	int sv[2];
+	pid_t pid;
+	int status;
+	__u64 user_id, net_id;
+	struct file_handle *user_handle, *net_handle;
+	char user_buf[sizeof(*user_handle) + MAX_HANDLE_SZ];
+	char net_buf[sizeof(*net_handle) + MAX_HANDLE_SZ];
+	char sync_byte;
+	int ret;
+
+	ASSERT_EQ(pipe(pipefd), 0);
+	ASSERT_EQ(socketpair(AF_UNIX, SOCK_STREAM, 0, sv), 0);
+
+	pid = fork();
+	ASSERT_GE(pid, 0);
+
+	if (pid == 0) {
+		/* Child process */
+		close(pipefd[0]);
+		close(sv[0]);
+
+		/* Create user namespace with mappings */
+		if (setup_userns() < 0) {
+			fprintf(stderr, "Child: setup_userns() failed: %s\n", strerror(errno));
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			close(sv[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+		fprintf(stderr, "Child: setup_userns() succeeded\n");
+
+		/* Get user namespace ID */
+		int user_fd = open("/proc/self/ns/user", O_RDONLY);
+		if (user_fd < 0) {
+			fprintf(stderr, "Child: open(/proc/self/ns/user) failed: %s\n", strerror(errno));
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			close(sv[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+
+		if (ioctl(user_fd, NS_GET_ID, &user_id) < 0) {
+			fprintf(stderr, "Child: ioctl(NS_GET_ID) for user ns failed: %s\n", strerror(errno));
+			close(user_fd);
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			close(sv[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+		close(user_fd);
+		fprintf(stderr, "Child: user ns ID = %llu\n", (unsigned long long)user_id);
+
+		/* Unshare network namespace */
+		if (unshare(CLONE_NEWNET) < 0) {
+			fprintf(stderr, "Child: unshare(CLONE_NEWNET) failed: %s\n", strerror(errno));
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			close(sv[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+		fprintf(stderr, "Child: unshare(CLONE_NEWNET) succeeded\n");
+
+		/* Get network namespace ID */
+		int net_fd = open("/proc/self/ns/net", O_RDONLY);
+		if (net_fd < 0) {
+			fprintf(stderr, "Child: open(/proc/self/ns/net) failed: %s\n", strerror(errno));
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			close(sv[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+
+		if (ioctl(net_fd, NS_GET_ID, &net_id) < 0) {
+			fprintf(stderr, "Child: ioctl(NS_GET_ID) for net ns failed: %s\n", strerror(errno));
+			close(net_fd);
+			close(pipefd[1]);
+			close(sv[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+		close(net_fd);
+		fprintf(stderr, "Child: net ns ID = %llu\n", (unsigned long long)net_id);
+
+		/* Send namespace IDs to parent */
+		if (write(pipefd[1], &user_id, sizeof(user_id)) != sizeof(user_id)) {
+			fprintf(stderr, "Child: write(user_id) failed: %s\n", strerror(errno));
+			exit(1);
+		}
+		if (write(pipefd[1], &net_id, sizeof(net_id)) != sizeof(net_id)) {
+			fprintf(stderr, "Child: write(net_id) failed: %s\n", strerror(errno));
+			exit(1);
+		}
+		close(pipefd[1]);
+		fprintf(stderr, "Child: sent namespace IDs to parent\n");
+
+		/* Create two threads that share the namespaces */
+		pthread_t thread1, thread2;
+		struct thread_sleep_data data;
+		data.syncfd_read = sv[1];
+
+		int ret_thread = pthread_create(&thread1, NULL, thread_sleep_and_wait, &data);
+		if (ret_thread != 0) {
+			fprintf(stderr, "Child: pthread_create(thread1) failed: %s\n", strerror(ret_thread));
+			close(sv[1]);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+		fprintf(stderr, "Child: created thread1\n");
+
+		ret_thread = pthread_create(&thread2, NULL, thread_sleep_and_wait, &data);
+		if (ret_thread != 0) {
+			fprintf(stderr, "Child: pthread_create(thread2) failed: %s\n", strerror(ret_thread));
+			close(sv[1]);
+			pthread_cancel(thread1);
+			exit(1);
+		}
+		fprintf(stderr, "Child: created thread2\n");
+
+		/* Wait for threads to complete - they will unblock when parent writes */
+		fprintf(stderr, "Child: waiting for threads to exit\n");
+		pthread_join(thread1, NULL);
+		fprintf(stderr, "Child: thread1 exited\n");
+		pthread_join(thread2, NULL);
+		fprintf(stderr, "Child: thread2 exited\n");
+
+		close(sv[1]);
+
+		/* Exit - namespaces should become inactive */
+		fprintf(stderr, "Child: all threads joined, exiting with success\n");
+		exit(0);
+	}
+
+	/* Parent process */
+	close(pipefd[1]);
+	close(sv[1]);
+
+	TH_LOG("Parent: waiting to read namespace IDs from child");
+
+	/* Read namespace IDs from child */
+	ret = read(pipefd[0], &user_id, sizeof(user_id));
+	if (ret != sizeof(user_id)) {
+		TH_LOG("Parent: failed to read user_id, ret=%d, errno=%s", ret, strerror(errno));
+		close(pipefd[0]);
+		sync_byte = 'X';
+		(void)write(sv[0], &sync_byte, 1);
+		close(sv[0]);
+		waitpid(pid, NULL, 0);
+		SKIP(return, "Failed to read user namespace ID from child");
+	}
+
+	ret = read(pipefd[0], &net_id, sizeof(net_id));
+	close(pipefd[0]);
+	if (ret != sizeof(net_id)) {
+		TH_LOG("Parent: failed to read net_id, ret=%d, errno=%s", ret, strerror(errno));
+		sync_byte = 'X';
+		(void)write(sv[0], &sync_byte, 1);
+		close(sv[0]);
+		waitpid(pid, NULL, 0);
+		SKIP(return, "Failed to read network namespace ID from child");
+	}
+
+	TH_LOG("Child created user ns %llu and net ns %llu with 2 threads",
+	       (unsigned long long)user_id, (unsigned long long)net_id);
+
+	/* Construct file handles */
+	user_handle = (struct file_handle *)user_buf;
+	user_handle->handle_bytes = sizeof(struct nsfs_file_handle);
+	user_handle->handle_type = FILEID_NSFS;
+	struct nsfs_file_handle *user_fh = (struct nsfs_file_handle *)user_handle->f_handle;
+	user_fh->ns_id = user_id;
+	user_fh->ns_type = 0;
+	user_fh->ns_inum = 0;
+
+	net_handle = (struct file_handle *)net_buf;
+	net_handle->handle_bytes = sizeof(struct nsfs_file_handle);
+	net_handle->handle_type = FILEID_NSFS;
+	struct nsfs_file_handle *net_fh = (struct nsfs_file_handle *)net_handle->f_handle;
+	net_fh->ns_id = net_id;
+	net_fh->ns_type = 0;
+	net_fh->ns_inum = 0;
+
+	/* Verify namespaces are active while subprocess and threads are alive */
+	TH_LOG("Verifying namespaces are active while subprocess with threads is running");
+	int user_fd = open_by_handle_at(FD_NSFS_ROOT, user_handle, O_RDONLY);
+	ASSERT_GE(user_fd, 0);
+
+	int net_fd = open_by_handle_at(FD_NSFS_ROOT, net_handle, O_RDONLY);
+	ASSERT_GE(net_fd, 0);
+
+	close(user_fd);
+	close(net_fd);
+
+	/* Also verify they appear in listns() */
+	TH_LOG("Verifying namespaces appear in listns() while active");
+	struct ns_id_req req = {
+		.size = sizeof(struct ns_id_req),
+		.spare = 0,
+		.ns_id = 0,
+		.ns_type = CLONE_NEWUSER,
+		.spare2 = 0,
+		.user_ns_id = 0,
+	};
+	__u64 ns_ids[256];
+	int nr_ids = sys_listns(&req, ns_ids, 256, 0);
+	if (nr_ids < 0) {
+		TH_LOG("listns() not available, skipping listns verification");
+	} else {
+		/* Check if user_id is in the list */
+		int found_user = 0;
+		for (int i = 0; i < nr_ids; i++) {
+			if (ns_ids[i] == user_id) {
+				found_user = 1;
+				break;
+			}
+		}
+		ASSERT_TRUE(found_user);
+		TH_LOG("User namespace found in listns() as expected");
+
+		/* Check network namespace */
+		req.ns_type = CLONE_NEWNET;
+		nr_ids = sys_listns(&req, ns_ids, 256, 0);
+		if (nr_ids >= 0) {
+			int found_net = 0;
+			for (int i = 0; i < nr_ids; i++) {
+				if (ns_ids[i] == net_id) {
+					found_net = 1;
+					break;
+				}
+			}
+			ASSERT_TRUE(found_net);
+			TH_LOG("Network namespace found in listns() as expected");
+		}
+	}
+
+	/* Signal threads to exit */
+	TH_LOG("Signaling threads to exit");
+	sync_byte = 'X';
+	/* Write two bytes - one for each thread */
+	ASSERT_EQ(write(sv[0], &sync_byte, 1), 1);
+	ASSERT_EQ(write(sv[0], &sync_byte, 1), 1);
+	close(sv[0]);
+
+	/* Wait for child process to exit */
+	waitpid(pid, &status, 0);
+	ASSERT_TRUE(WIFEXITED(status));
+	if (WEXITSTATUS(status) != 0) {
+		TH_LOG("Child process failed with exit code %d", WEXITSTATUS(status));
+		SKIP(return, "Child process failed");
+	}
+
+	TH_LOG("Subprocess and all threads have exited successfully");
+
+	/* Verify namespaces are now inactive - open_by_handle_at should fail */
+	TH_LOG("Verifying namespaces are inactive after subprocess and threads exit");
+	user_fd = open_by_handle_at(FD_NSFS_ROOT, user_handle, O_RDONLY);
+	ASSERT_LT(user_fd, 0);
+	TH_LOG("User namespace inactive as expected: %s (errno=%d)",
+	       strerror(errno), errno);
+	ASSERT_TRUE(errno == ENOENT || errno == ESTALE);
+
+	net_fd = open_by_handle_at(FD_NSFS_ROOT, net_handle, O_RDONLY);
+	ASSERT_LT(net_fd, 0);
+	TH_LOG("Network namespace inactive as expected: %s (errno=%d)",
+	       strerror(errno), errno);
+	ASSERT_TRUE(errno == ENOENT || errno == ESTALE);
+
+	/* Verify namespaces do NOT appear in listns() */
+	TH_LOG("Verifying namespaces do NOT appear in listns() when inactive");
+	memset(&req, 0, sizeof(req));
+	req.size = sizeof(struct ns_id_req);
+	req.ns_type = CLONE_NEWUSER;
+	nr_ids = sys_listns(&req, ns_ids, 256, 0);
+	if (nr_ids >= 0) {
+		int found_user = 0;
+		for (int i = 0; i < nr_ids; i++) {
+			if (ns_ids[i] == user_id) {
+				found_user = 1;
+				break;
+			}
+		}
+		ASSERT_FALSE(found_user);
+		TH_LOG("User namespace correctly not listed in listns()");
+
+		/* Check network namespace */
+		req.ns_type = CLONE_NEWNET;
+		nr_ids = sys_listns(&req, ns_ids, 256, 0);
+		if (nr_ids >= 0) {
+			int found_net = 0;
+			for (int i = 0; i < nr_ids; i++) {
+				if (ns_ids[i] == net_id) {
+					found_net = 1;
+					break;
+				}
+			}
+			ASSERT_FALSE(found_net);
+			TH_LOG("Network namespace correctly not listed in listns()");
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+TEST_HARNESS_MAIN