August 2024 - wlug - list.wlug.org.nz

The Linux Kernel Gets 60 CVEs A Week
by Lawrence D'Oliveiro 23 Aug '24

23 Aug '24

The Linux kernel team gets 60 logged reports of security vulnerabilities each week, according to longtime developer Greg Kroah-Hartman. He ought to know; he is the point of first contact for such reports, according to <https://www.zdnet.com/article/the-linux-security-team-issues-60-cves-a-week…>. On the bright side, most of them will likely not affect you. The total kernel source tree is up to 38 million lines of code, and your typical OS installation uses only a small fraction of that. To quote GregKH: “Your phone, the most complex beast out there, uses about 4 million lines of code”. They don’t take their time about dealing with vulnerabilities, either: This crew doesn't take embargoes or use pre-announcements. Why not? Because they believe -- with reason -- all these approaches do is lead to information leaks. Instead, they aim to get fixes out to users as quickly as possible. Typically, this is done within a week of having a patch available. This approach ensures that users are promptly notified of security issues and can update their systems accordingly. Another GregKH quote: “If you're not using the latest stable/long-term kernel system, your system is insecure”. Which means, you need to do a kernel update just about every week. The thing is, Kroah-Hartman said, "We have proof this can be done. Debian runs over 80% of the world's servers and they're using stable kernel updates. Android, billions of devices out there, takes every stable kernel update on a couple months lag, but they're doing it and keeping their devices secure. There's nothing more complex than embedded into the system, and there's nothing more common and easy to use than a Debian server.

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Litespeed Cache bug exposes millions of WordPress sites to takeover attacks
by Peter Reutemann 22 Aug '24

22 Aug '24

'A critical vulnerability in the LiteSpeed Cache WordPress plugin can let attackers take over millions of websites after creating rogue admin accounts. LiteSpeed Cache is open-source and the most popular WordPress site acceleration plugin, with over 5 million active installations and support for WooCommerce, bbPress, ClassicPress, and Yoast SEO. The unauthenticated privilege escalation vulnerability (CVE-2024-28000) was found in the plugin's user simulation feature and is caused by a weak hash check in LiteSpeed Cache up to and including version 6.3.0.1. Security researcher John Blackbourn submitted the flaw to Patchstack's bug bounty program on August 1. The LiteSpeed team developed a patch and shipped it with LiteSpeed Cache version 6.4, released on August 13. Successful exploitation enables any unauthenticated visitors to gain administrator-level access, which can be used to completely take over websites running vulnerable LiteSpeed Cache versions by installing malicious plugins, changing critical settings, redirecting traffic to malicious websites, distributing malware to visitors, or stealing user data.' -- source: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/litespeed-cache-bug-exposes-… Cheers, Peter

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“Something has gone seriously wrong,” dual-boot systems warn after Microsoft update
by Peter Reutemann 21 Aug '24

21 Aug '24

'Last Tuesday, loads of Linux users—many running packages released as early as this year—started reporting their devices were failing to boot. Instead, they received a cryptic error message that included the phrase: “Something has gone seriously wrong.” The cause: an update Microsoft issued as part of its monthly patch release. It was intended to close a 2-year-old vulnerability in GRUB, an open source boot loader used to start up many Linux devices. The vulnerability, with a severity rating of 8.6 out of 10, made it possible for hackers to bypass secure boot, the industry standard for ensuring that devices running Windows or other operating systems don’t load malicious firmware or software during the bootup process. CVE-2022-2601 was discovered in 2022, but for unclear reasons, Microsoft patched it only last Tuesday. Tuesday’s update left dual-boot devices—meaning those configured to run both Windows and Linux—no longer able to boot into the latter when Secure Boot was enforced. When users tried to load Linux, they received the message: “Verifying shim SBAT data failed: Security Policy Violation. Something has gone seriously wrong: SBAT self-check failed: Security Policy Violation.” Almost immediately support and discussion forums lit up with reports of the failure. “Note that Windows says this update won't apply to systems that dual-boot Windows and Linux,” one frustrated person wrote. “This obviously isn't true, and likely depends on your system configuration and the distribution being run. It appears to have made some linux efi shim bootloaders incompatible with microcrap efi bootloaders (that's why shifting from MS efi to 'other OS' in efi setup works). It appears that Mint has a shim version that MS SBAT doesn't recognize.” The reports indicate that multiple distributions, including Debian, Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Zorin OS, Puppy Linux, are all affected. Microsoft has yet to acknowledge the error publicly, explain how it wasn’t detected during testing, or provide technical guidance to those affected. Company representatives didn’t respond to an email seeking answers.' -- source: https://arstechnica.com/security/2024/08/a-patch-microsoft-spent-2-years-pr… Cheers, Peter

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Check Linux / Unix configuration files for syntax errors
by Peter Reutemann 14 Aug '24

14 Aug '24

Just came across this post, which I thought quite handy: 'In Linux and UNIX system services are configured using various text files located in /etc/ or /usr/local/etc/ directory tree. A typical server system could have dozens of configuration files. You can check your configuration files for syntax errors without starting the server and validate all settings. In some cases, it is possible to check the sanity of specific data/config options and directories. Text files are easier to manage remotely. You can use ssh and a text editor. If there is an error in configuration, the server may not start. It may result in a disaster. This post explains how to quickly find out a syntax error for popular servers and test configuration file for syntax errors.' -- source: https://www.cyberciti.biz/tips/check-unix-linux-configuration-file-for-synt… Cheers, Peter

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Almost unfixable “Sinkclose” bug affects hundreds of millions of AMD chips
by Peter Reutemann 12 Aug '24

12 Aug '24

'Security flaws in your computer's firmware, the deep-seated code that loads first when you turn the machine on and controls even how its operating system boots up, have long been a target for hackers looking for a stealthy foothold. But only rarely does that kind of vulnerability appear not in the firmware of any particular computer maker, but in the chips found across hundreds of millions of PCs and servers. Now security researchers have found one such flaw that has persisted in AMD processors for decades, and that would allow malware to burrow deep enough into a computer's memory that, in many cases, it may be easier to discard a machine than to disinfect it. At the Defcon hacker conference, Enrique Nissim and Krzysztof Okupski, researchers from the security firm IOActive, plan to present a vulnerability in AMD chips they're calling Sinkclose. The flaw would allow hackers to run their own code in one of the most privileged modes of an AMD processor, known as System Management Mode, designed to be reserved only for a specific, protected portion of its firmware. IOActive's researchers warn that it affects virtually all AMD chips dating back to 2006, or possibly even earlier.' -- source: https://arstechnica.com/security/2024/08/almost-unfixable-sinkclose-bug-aff… Cheers, Peter

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Mozilla Wants You To Love Firefox Again
by Peter Reutemann 12 Aug '24

12 Aug '24

'Mozilla's interim CEO Laura Chambers "says the company is reinvesting in Firefox after letting it languish in recent years," reports Fast Company, "hoping to reestablish the browser as independent alternative to the likes of Google's Chrome and Apple's Safari. "But some of those investments, which also include forays into generative AI, may further upset the community that's been sticking with Firefox all these years..." Chambers acknowledges that Mozilla lost sight of Firefox in recent years as it chased opportunities outside the browser, such as VPN service and email masking. When she replaced Mitchell Baker as CEO in February, the company scaled back those other efforts and made Firefox a priority again. "Yes, Mozilla is refocusing on Firefox," she says. "Obviously, it's our core product, so it's an important piece of the business for us, but we think it's also really an important part of the internet." Some of that focus involves adding features that have become table-stakes in other browsers. In June, Mozilla added vertical tab support in Firefox's experimental branch, echoing a feature that Microsoft's Edge browser helped popularize three years ago. It's also working on tab grouping features and an easier way to switch between user profiles. Mozilla is even revisiting the concept of web apps, in which users can install websites as freestanding desktop applications. Mozilla abandoned work on Progressive Web Apps in Firefox a few years ago to the dismay of many power users, but now it's talking with community members about a potential path forward. "We haven't always prioritized those features as highly as we should have," Chambers says. "That's been a real shift that's been very felt in the community, that the things they're asking for . . . are really being prioritized and brought to life." Firefox was criticized for testing a more private alternative to tracking cookies which could make summaries of aggregated data available to advertisers. (Though it was only tested on a few sites, "Privacy-Preserving Attribution" was enabled by default.) But EFF staff technologist Lena Cohen tells Fast Company that approach was "much more privacy-preserving" than Google's proposal for a "Privacy Sandbox." And according to the article, "Mozilla's system only measures the success rate of ads — it doesn't help companies target those ads in the first place — and it's less susceptible to abuse due to limits on how much data is stored and which parties are allowed to access it." In June, Mozilla also announced its acquisition of Anonym, a startup led by former Meta executives that has its own privacy-focused ad measurement system. While Mozilla has no plans to integrate Anonym's tech in Firefox, the move led to even more anxiety about the kind of company Mozilla was becoming. The tension around Firefox stems in part from Mozilla's precarious financial position, which is heavily dependent on royalty payments from Google. In 2022, nearly 86% of Mozilla's revenue came from Google, which paid $510 million to be Firefox's default search engine. Its attempts to diversify, through VPN service and other subscriptions, haven't gained much traction. Chambers says that becoming less dependent on Google is "absolutely a priority," and acknowledges that building an ad-tech business is one way of doing that. Mozilla is hoping that emerging privacy regulations and wider adoption of anti-tracking tools in web browsers will increase demand for services like Anonym and for systems like Firefox's privacy-preserving ad measurements. Other revenue-generating ideas are forthcoming. Chambers says Mozilla plans to launch new products outside of Firefox under a "design sprint" model, aimed at quickly figuring out what works and what doesn't. It's also making forays into generative AI in Firefox, starting with a chatbot sidebar in the browser's experimental branch. Chambers "says to expect a bigger marketing push for Firefox in the United States soon, echoing a 'Challenge the default' ad campaign that was successful in Germany last summer. Mozilla's nonprofit ownership structure, and the idea that it's not beholden to corporate interests, figures heavily into those plans."' -- source: https://tech.slashdot.org/story/24/08/11/1635254 Cheers, Peter

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Ubuntu Will Start Shipping With the Latest Upstream Linux Kernel - Even Release Candidates
by Peter Reutemann 12 Aug '24

12 Aug '24

'Here's a question from the blog OMG Ubuntu. "Ever get miffed reading about a major new Ubuntu release only to learn it doesn't come with the newest Linux kernel? "Well, that'll soon be a thing of the past." Canonical's announced a big shift in kernel selection process for future Ubuntu release, an "aggressive kernel version commitment policy" pivot that means it will ship the latest upstream kernel code in development at the time of a new Ubuntu release. Yes, even if that upstream kernel hasn't yet seen a formal stable release (and received the requisite newspaper-graphic-topped rundown on this blog). Which is a huge change. Currently, new Ubuntu releases include the most recent stable Linux kernel release at the time of the kernel freeze milestone in the Ubuntu development cycle. Here's the official announcement by Canonical's Brett Grandbois. "Ubuntu will now ship the absolute latest available version of the upstream Linux kernel at the specified Ubuntu release freeze date, even if upstream is still in Release Candidate status..." It is actually expected that Late Releases will be the exception rather than the norm and in most releases these guidelines will not be necessary as the upstream kernel will release with enough time for the Ubuntu kernel to stabilize. However, adopting a more aggressive kernel version commitment policy does require us to be prepared for a possible Late Release situation and therefore informing the community on what they can expect. ' -- source: https://news.slashdot.org/story/24/08/11/075217 Cheers, Peter

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You can kick the alpha tires on System76’s Cosmic, a new Linux desktop
by Peter Reutemann 09 Aug '24

09 Aug '24

'System76 has released an alpha version of its Cosmic desktop environment for Linux and Unix-like systems. The Linux hardware firm isn't targeting only its customers with its GNOME replacement; it also hopes to get distro maintainers and app makers on board with its Rust-built, UX-focused desktop. While the Cosmic desktop will be built into the Linux vendor's Pop!_OS (which is also in the alpha ISO), it's also available to other systems, as you might expect. System76 provides drop-in instructions for Fedora and Arch Linux installs, among others. System76 says it is "excited to see COSMIC integration elevate Linux as a whole," along with what results "from making UX-building more accessible." By building Cosmic natively in the Rust language, System76 also intends to provide a more stable and memory-safe environment for apps. Cosmic shows deep attention to tiling, keyboard shortcuts, and panel and dock customization, as has been present on its Pop!_OS. I'm a bit of a boring side-by-side, single-workspace type; Gardiner Bryant on YouTube went deeper into the Cosmic alpha's tiling, panels, and GTK app acceptance. I found that getting Cosmic into a reasonable shape I could work from, and picking up its keyboard window shortcuts, was easier than with either KDE or GNOME. One thing System76 made clear in its push for Cosmic is its readiness for more deeply integrated themes. System76 offered a few examples in its press materials, and I must admit a fondness for its over-the-top examples. -- source: https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/08/you-can-kick-the-alpha-tires-on-sys… Cheers, Peter

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Chrome’s Manifest V3, and its changes for ad blocking, are coming real soon
by Peter Reutemann 07 Aug '24

07 Aug '24

'Google Chrome's long, long project to implement a new browser extension platform is seemingly going to happen, for real, after six years of cautious movement. One of the first ways people are seeing this is if they use uBlock Origin, a popular ad-blocking extension, as noted by Bleeping Computer. Recently, Chrome users have seen warnings pop up that "This extension may soon no longer be supported," with links asking the user to "Remove or replace it with similar extensions" from Chrome's Web Store. You might see a similar warning on some extensions if you head to Chrome's Extensions page (chrome://extensions). What's happening is Chrome preparing to make Manifest V3 required for extensions that want to run on its platform. First announced in 2018, the last word on Manifest V3 was that V2 extensions would start being nudged out in early June on the Beta, Dev, and Canary update channels. Users will be able to manually re-enable V2 extensions "for a short time," Google has said, "but over time, this toggle will go away as well." The shift for enterprise Chrome deployments is expected to be put off until June 2025. ' -- source: https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/08/chromes-manifest-v3-and-its-changes… Cheers, Peter

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Germany to Fund Open Source Software Maintainers Through New Fellowship Program
by Peter Reutemann 07 Aug '24

07 Aug '24

'If you’re of the ilk to complain about governments giving money away and what that means for taxpayers, the Germans — or at least their government — are doing this because it will be good for the economy, meaning they think it’ll make folks better able to pay their taxes rather just empty their pockets for the taxman. This is also why they’ve already spending a substantial amount of money to help fund over 40 FOSS projects. “Open source infrastructure is the backbone of our digital world – and the work of the people who maintain it is essential to ensuring the security and availability of this global resource,” Mirko Swillus wrote in a blog that was published on Thursday. “They lead project development, review changes, manage community interactions, and tackle security issues.” Swillus is program manager at Sovereign Tech Fund, and the blog was to announce fund’s new Fellowship for Maintainers program. “With this new fellowship program, we’re directly investing in the people behind the code by paying maintainers of critical open source components for their work,” he wrote.' -- source: https://fossforce.com/2024/08/germany-to-fund-open-source-software-maintain… Cheers, Peter

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