How to Bypass Authentication on a Linux System
Major bug affects Debian/Ubuntu distributions.
Researchers have discovered a flaw in the Cryptsetup utility that allows an attacker to bypass the authentication process on some Linux-based systems just by pressing and holding the Enter key for 70 seconds.
Debian/Ubuntu-based systems with encrypted system partitions are affected by this vulnerability. Researchers warn that other distributions using Dracut instead of initramfs are also vulnerable.
Hector Marco and Ismael Ripoll from the Cybersecurity Group explained in their security advisory that the vulnerability allows you to obtain a root initramfs shell on the affected system. “The vulnerability is very reliable because it doesn't depend on specific systems or configurations. Attackers can copy, modify, or destroy the hard disk as well as setup the network to exfiltrate data. This vulnerability is especially serious in environments like libraries, ATMs, airport machines, labs, etc, where the whole boot process is protected (password in BIOS and GRUB) and you only have a keyboard and/or a mouse,” Marco and Ripol wrote.
The worst thing about this vulnerability is that you don’t need physical access to the machine; it is possible to exploit the vulnerability remotely in cloud environments.
Last year, the same researchers discovered a bug in GRUB 2 that allowed an attacker to bypass all securities on a locked-down Linux machine by hitting the Enter key 28 times when asked for a user name.
Issue 230/2020
Buy this issue as a PDF
News
-
Elementary OS 5.1 Has Arrived
One of the most highly regarded Linux desktop distributions has released its next iteration.
-
Linux Mint 19.3 Will be Released by Christmas
The developers behind Linux Mint have announced 19.3 will be released by Christmas 2019.
-
Linux Kernel 5.4 Released
A number of new changes and improvements have reached the Linux kernel.
-
System76 To Design And Build Laptops In-House
In-house designed and built laptops coming from System76.
-
News and views on the GPU revolution in HPC and Big Data:
-
The PinePhone Pre-Order has Arrived
Anyone looking to finally get their hands on an early release of the PinePhone can do so as of November 15.
-
Microsoft Edge Coming to Linux
Microsoft is bringing it’s new Chromium-based Edge browser to Linux.
-
Open Invention Network Backs Gnome Project Against Patent Troll
OIN has deployed its legal team to find prior art.
-
Fedora 31 Released
The latest version of Fedora comes with new packages and libraries.
-
openSUSE OBS Can Now Build Windows WSL Images
openSUSE enables developers to build their own WSL distributions.