April 2020 - wlug - list.wlug.org.nz

The Internet is Now Rife With Places Where You Can Organize Zoom-bombing Raids
by Peter Reutemann 03 Apr '20

03 Apr '20

'The internet is rife with online communities where users can go and share Zoom conference codes and request that pranksters connect and hurl insults, play pornographic material, or make death threats against other participants -- in a practice called Zoom-bombing or a Zoom raid. From a report: ZDNet began tracking the tactic since mid-March when the term was first coined following a TechCrunch article. Ever since then, Zoom-bombing incidents have increased, as articles in major news outlets like the New York Times and the BBC have made the practice a favorite pastime for all the teenagers stuck in their homes during the current coronavirus (COVID-19) quarantines. From a niche prank that started on a derelict Discord channel, Zoom-bombing has now spread to enormous proportions -- being so rampant these days that the FBI sent a nationwide alert last week, urging companies, schools, and universities to take steps to secure their Zoom channels. But as Zoom-bombing became more popular, more pranksters wanted to join on the fun, and more users wanted their friends' Zoom meetings disrupted. And as the old saying goes; where there's a demand, there's always a supply. Over the course of the past week, the number of places on the public internet where you can request a zoom raid from a gang of bored teenagers has exploded.' -- source: https://yro.slashdot.org/story/20/04/02/1937229 How to secure Zoom: https://www.netsafe.org.nz/get-into-zoom/ Cheers, Peter -- Peter Reutemann Dept. of Computer Science University of Waikato, NZ +64 (7) 858-5174 http://www.cms.waikato.ac.nz/~fracpete/ http://www.data-mining.co.nz/

1 0

National Tells PM To Stop Using Zoom At Cabinet Meetings
by Lawrence D'Oliveiro 02 Apr '20

02 Apr '20

Security concerns are being raised about the Zoom videoconferencing service, which Jacinda Ardern and her cabinet have been using in their online meetings <https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12321784>.

2 1

Linux Mint 20 is 64-bit Only, Based on Ubuntu 20.04, and Named 'Ulyana'
by Peter Reutemann 01 Apr '20

01 Apr '20

'Today, we learn some new details about the upcoming Linux Mint 20. While most of the newly revealed information is positive, there is one thing that is sure to upset many Linux Mint users. First things first, Linux Mint 20 will be based on the upcoming Ubuntu 20.04. This shouldn't come as a surprise, as Mint only uses Long Term Support versions of Ubuntu, and 20.04 will be an LTS. We also now know the name of Linux Mint 20. The Mint team always uses female names, and this time they chose "Ulyana." This is apparently a Russian name meaning "youthful." So far, all of the news is positive, so what exactly will upset some users? The Linux Mint developers are finally dropping 32-bit support and will only produce 64-bit ISOs.' -- source: https://linux.slashdot.org/story/20/03/31/1842216 Cheers, Peter -- Peter Reutemann Dept. of Computer Science University of Waikato, NZ +64 (7) 858-5174 http://www.cms.waikato.ac.nz/~fracpete/ http://www.data-mining.co.nz/

2 2

OpenWRT code-execution bug puts millions of devices at risk
by Peter Reutemann 01 Apr '20

01 Apr '20

'For almost three years, OpenWRT—the open source operating system that powers home routers and other types of embedded systems—has been vulnerable to remote code-execution attacks because updates were delivered over an unencrypted channel and digital signature verifications are easy to bypass, a researcher said. OpenWRT has a loyal base of users who use the freely available package as an alternative to the firmware that comes installed on their devices. Besides routers, OpenWRT runs on smartphones, pocket computers and even laptops and desktop PCs. Users generally find OpenWRT to be a more secure choice because it offers advanced functions and its source code is easy to audit. Security researcher Guido Vranken, however, recently found that updates and installation files were delivered over unencrypted HTTPs connections, which are open to attacks that allow adversaries to completely replace legitimate updates with malicious ones. The researcher also found that it was trivial for attackers with moderate experience to bypass digital-signature checks that verify a downloaded update as the legitimate one offered by OpenWTR maintainers. The combination of those two lapses makes it possible to send a malicious update that vulnerable devices will automatically install.' -- source: https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2020/03/openwrt-is-vulnerabl… Cheers, Peter -- Peter Reutemann Dept. of Computer Science University of Waikato, NZ +64 (7) 858-5174 http://www.cms.waikato.ac.nz/~fracpete/ http://www.data-mining.co.nz/

1 0

How The ESA Has Kept The Mars Express Probe Doing Useful Science For 16 Years
by Lawrence D'Oliveiro 01 Apr '20

01 Apr '20

Originally designed for a mission lasting one Martian year (about two Earth years), MEX <https://www.theregister.co.uk/2020/03/31/mars_express/> continues to operate even today, and looks likely to manage to stay in action for a few more years. Working around a wiring error that meant it only had 70% of the designed operating power, then dealing with unreliabilities cropping up in the Solid-State Mass Memory system, figuring out how to prolong the life of the maneouvring reaction wheels, actually having to write and upload new software written in Ada-83, where the original contractor was helpful, rather than obstructive for a change: While support had officially ended, ESA did set up a small contract with Airbus (who had acquired the original spacecraft manufacturer) in a role reversal that saw Airbus review the MEX team's work rather than the other way around. As it transpired, Airbus turned out to be hugely helpful, blowing dust off some testing tools, making suggestions and, effectively, "putting the band back together" as those who originally designed and built MEX (and had not yet shuffled off into retirement) were hauled back to offer assistance. All in all, the team operating MEX has done some amazing work so far. Bear in mind that launching probes into space is still a dicey business, prone to embarrassing failures. This is why they have to be over-engineered, then backed up with alternate recovery plans on top of alternate recovery plans.

1 0