Latest cybersecurity reporting from selected sources.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Also: Hacker Sells Data Obtained Through Snowflake AttackThis week, Microsoft deprecated NTLM authentication, a hacker put apparently stolen Snowflake data up for sale, Ticketmaster confirmed its breach, Cisco patched Webex vulnerabilities, pro-Russian hacktivists claimed a DDoS attack in Spain and Kaspersky launched a free virus removal tool for Linux.

Also: A Widespread Linux Bootloader VulnerabilityThis week, the U.S. banned AI robocalls, researchers discovered a Linux bootloader flaw, France investigated health sector hackings, the feds offered money for Hive information, Verizon disclosed an insider breach, Germany opened a cybersecurity center, and cyberattack victims reported high costs.

RAT Is Tailored to Exploit Vulnerabilities in Linux Kernel VersionsHackers targeted telecommunications companies in Thailand with a Linux remote access Trojan designed to attack different versions of the open-source kernel, researchers say. Dubbed "Krasue," the malware poses a "severe risk to critical systems and sensitive data," says Group-IB researchers.

Kinsing Threat Actor Observed Targeting Vulnerable Cloud Environments With New FlawThe Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is requiring federal agencies to patch Linux devices on their networks and urging private sector organizations to do the same after security researchers observed threat actors exploiting a new vulnerability on many major Linux distributions.