Latest coverage for Linux

Also, Arch Linux Attack, Estonia Quarantines Russian Emails, Joomla FlawThis week, ShinyHunters leaked alleged Madison Square Garden data, a U.S. senator pressed CISA on regional staffing cuts, an Arch Linux supply-chain attack, Mackay Sugar began recovery from a ransomware attack, Novo Nordisk faced dueling breach claims - and more compelling cybersecurity news.

Researchers Trace Linux and Windows Toolsets to Suspected PRC Espionage ActivityNewly discovered malware tied to China-linked actors breached telecom providers across Asia and the Middle East, highlighting growing efforts to gain persistent access into interconnected communications infrastructure.

Also, YellowKey Gets CVE, 7-Eleven Breach, Linux Maintainers Warn on AI Bug SpamThis week, more incidents than we can list here. Among them: cloned Shai-Hulud malware, a new maximum CVSS Cisco flaw. Edge to stop loading passwords in plaintext. Tycoon 2FA offers a way around Microsoft multifactor. Convenience, taquitos and data breach: The 7-Eleven story. A MENA crackdown.

Kernel Privilege Escalation Has One Linux Maintainer Contemplating a 'Kill Switch'Back-to-back kernel vulnerabilities in Linux has defenders scrambling to apply defenses in the age of quick turnaround time for hackers to exploit nascent flaws. "Dirty Frag" and "Copy Fail" kernel privilege escalation vulnerabilities became public knowledge within two weeks of each other.

No Patches Yet Available, After Third Party Published Vulnerability DetailsSecurity researchers have discovered a new, critical flaw in the Linux kernel that attackers can exploit to gain root access. No patches are yet available to fix "Dirty Frag," the second new local privilege escalation flaw to be found in two weeks, following the similar "Copy Fail" vulnerability.

AI-Assisted Offensive Security Researcher Discovered Flaw After 1 Hour of ScanningPatch all Linux kernels issued from 2017 onwards to fix a serious vulnerability in the kernel’s cryptography API that can be easily exploited by a local, unprivileged user to gain root-level access. The major flaw is the latest to be found by an AI-assisted researcher.

Check Point Identifies VoidLink Framework First 'Advanced' AI-Generated ThreatA single developer built a Linux malware framework in less than a week using artificial intelligence, said security researchers. Check Point researchers say this is a case of AI-generated malware reaching operational maturity at a pace that challenges assumptions about development timelines.

28,000 Customers, Including Banks and US Government Agencies, Appear to Be AffectedCommercial Linux distribution producer Red Hat has issued a security alert warning that attackers stole customer data from its consulting arm's GitLab instance. The hacking group, Crimson Collective, claims to have stolen one terabyte of data pertaining to 28,000 customers.

Pakistan-Linked Threat Actor Targets Indian Linux Operation SystemPakistan-linked hackers are targeting an Indian Linux-based operating system by tricking government employees into clicking malicious files that look like PDFs. When opened, the files install spyware, giving attackers long-term access to sensitive government systems.

ShortLeash Backdoor Hijacks SOHO Linux DevicesLikely Chinese nation-state hackers are converting Internet of Things devices including Ruckus Wireless home routers into an operational relay box network - a run of infections creating more digital infrastructure almost certainly used for cyberespionage.

Race-Condition Bugs in Ubuntu and Red Hat Tools Could Leak Sensitive Memory DataHackers could exploit a tool that stores crashed system data in older Linux operating systems to obtain passwords and encryption keys, warn researchers. The flaw lies in the way certain Linux distributions, including Ubuntu, Red Hat, and Fedora, handle application crashes.

Vulnerability Researchers: Start Tracking LLM Capabilities, Says Veteran Bug HunterLarge language models have taken a big step forward in their ability to help chase down code flaws, said a vulnerability researcher who successfully trained OpenAI's o3 to review Linux kernel code, leading to the LLM - in an apparent first - discovering a new zero-day vulnerability in the code.

Stealthy Malware Installs Cryptomining SoftwareA botnet targeting Internet of Things devices works by brute forcing credentials and downloading cryptomining software. Researchers call the botnet "PumaBot," since its malware checks for the string "Pumatronix," the name of a Brazilian manufacturer of surveillance and traffic camera systems.

Attackers Can Employ a Vulnerable Driver to Target Most Windows and Linux SystemsResearchers are warning Microsoft Windows as well as many Linux distribution users to install updates that revoke permissions for a vulnerable driver that attackers can use to target most systems, allowing them to bypass UEFI Secure Boot and install a bootkit to take full control of a system.

Embedded Device Operating Sytem Had Flaw Allowing Hacers to Bypass Integrity CheckA critical flaw in the updating service of a popular Linux operating system for embedded devices could enable hackers to compromise firmware with malicious images. OpenWrt developers patched the vulnerability, with a CVSS core of 9.3 and tracked as CVE-2024-54143.

Linux-Targeting Bootkitty Appears More Proof-of-Concept Than Threat, Researchers SayCybersecurity researchers have discovered the first-ever UEFI bootkit designed to target Linux systems and subvert their boot process for malicious purposes. The "Bootkitty" malware, first uploaded to VirusTotal this month, appears to be more "proof of concept" than full-fledged threat, they said.

Linux-Targeting Bootkitty Appears More Proof-of-Concept Than Threat, Researchers SayCybersecurity researchers have discovered the first-ever UEFI bootkit designed to target Linux systems and subvert their boot process for malicious purposes. The "Bootkitty" malware, first uploaded to VirusTotal this month, appears to be more "proof of concept" than full-fledged threat, they said.

Linux-Targeting Bootkitty Appears More Proof-of-Concept Than Threat, Researcher SayCybersecurity researchers have discovered the first-ever bootkit designed to target Linux systems and subvert their boot process for malicious purposes. The "Bootkitty" malware, first uploaded to VirusTotal this month, appears to be more "proof of concept" than full-fledged threat, they said.

Exploitation Requires Victim to Print On Rogue PrinterAttackers can exploit a series of vulnerabilities in the OpenPrinting Common Unix Printing System utility to remotely execute arbitrary code on certain machines. Major Linux distributions reacted Friday by releasing patches. Exploitation requires a victim to attempt to print from a malicious device.

Backdoored Python Packages Likely Work of 'Gleaming Pisces,' Says Palo AltoA North Korean hacking group with a history of a stealing cryptocurrency is likely behind a raft of poisoned Python packages targeting developers working on the Linux and macOS operating systems in an apparent attempt at a supply chain attack.