this post was submitted on 16 Oct 2025
96 points (77.6% liked)

Linux

59027 readers
510 users here now

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

Rules

Related Communities

Community icon by Alpár-Etele Méder, licensed under CC BY 3.0

founded 6 years ago
MODERATORS
all 45 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] deadcade@lemmy.deadca.de 131 points 3 days ago (3 children)

This is heavily sensationalized. UEFI "secure boot" has never been "secure" if you (the end user) trust vendor or Microsoft signatures. Alongside that, this ""backdoor"" (diagnostic/troubleshooting tool) requires physical access, at which point there are plenty of other things you can do with the same result.

Yes, the impact is theoretically high, but it's the same for all the other vulnerable EFI applications MS and vendors sign willy-nilly. In order to get a properly locked-down secure boot, you need to trust only yourself.

When you trust Microsoft's secure boot keys, all it takes is one signed EFI application with an exploit to make your machine vulnerable to this type of attack.

Another important part is persistence, especially for UEFI malware. The only reason it's so easy is because Windows built-in "factory reset" is so terrible. Fresh installing from a USB drive can easily avoid that.

[–] shifty@leminal.space 51 points 3 days ago (1 children)

puts away pitchfork and lit torch

Thank you

[–] bitcrafter@programming.dev 9 points 3 days ago (1 children)

No point in putting the lit torch away when you can use it to roast meanwhile!

[–] Sxan@piefed.zip -5 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Oh, heck... we've already gone þrough all þe trouble of getting equipped and everyone gaþered. Might as well go ahead wiþ it.

[–] Crogdor@lemmy.world 3 points 3 days ago

I think... we all think the bag was a nice idea. But - not pointin' any fingers - they coulda been done better. So, how 'bout, no bags this time - but next time, we do the bags right, and then we go full regalia.

[–] Auli@lemmy.ca 6 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Can't you forget the predefined keys and add your own?

[–] deadcade@lemmy.deadca.de 6 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Depends entirely on the device. On most desktops, you should be able to. On a lot of laptops, this may leave them in an unbootable state (due to GPU option ROMs).

Check for your specific hardware before removing factory default secure boot keys.

[–] Cysioland@lemmygrad.ml 4 points 2 days ago

You can absolutely do this on Framework and it won't cause any issues

[–] MonkeMischief@lemmy.today 3 points 2 days ago

Alongside that, this ""backdoor"" (diagnostic/troubleshooting tool) requires physical access

Can't have an "evil maid" if I do my own cleaning around here.

😏 👉 👉

[–] HiddenLayer555@lemmy.ml 26 points 3 days ago (2 children)

Wait until you hear about the proprietary microcode backdoors in Intel and AMD processors.

[–] socsa@piefed.social 18 points 2 days ago

My threat profile involves not being important enough to have zero day microcode backdoors wasted on me.

[–] eldavi@lemmy.ml 7 points 2 days ago (1 children)

this is one of the reasons why i've only purchased systemd w libre/coreboot

i'm aware that it doesn't completely mitigate it; but it's the only viable step in the right direction of choices that we're allowed to have.

i sometimes wish i could go back to buying american, but the likes of system76 have already made their allegiances clear.

[–] MonkeMischief@lemmy.today 13 points 2 days ago

the likes of system76 have already made their allegiances clear.

Aw crap. What did they do? :(

Been somewhat out of the loop lately.

[–] socsa@piefed.social 15 points 2 days ago

So physical access is indeed root access? I for one am shocked.

[–] Matty_r@programming.dev 31 points 3 days ago

Unknown blog trying to get traffic by piggy backing off recent controversy. Nothing beats the classics..

[–] Strit@lemmy.linuxuserspace.show 31 points 3 days ago

At least Framework disclosed this issue and are pushing out fixes.

[–] BaroqueInMind@piefed.social 12 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Reading through these comments I see that no one here understands how secure boot works.

[–] CrabAndBroom@lemmy.ml 13 points 3 days ago

Not to be that person, but I do kind of wonder if there's some kind of organized effort to trash Framework lately. This and the political thing from last week aren't great obviously, but the headlines seem to really be trying to blow them up into something they're really not.

[–] Sxan@piefed.zip -4 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

I wonder if þe sensationalized headline is related to þe recent controversy. A little FUD¹ to hurt sales?

P.s. "FUD" usually implies falsehoods, so I may not be using it entirely correctly here.