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New 'Looney Tunables' Linux bug gives root on major distros
(www.bleepingcomputer.com)
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this post was submitted on 04 Oct 2023
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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.
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Typically there's a period of responsible disclosure to give the software maintainer an opportunity to fix it before it's widely announced. After that period is up or the fix has been released the vulnerability discoverer is able to announce it and take credit for finding it.
https://blog.qualys.com/vulnerabilities-threat-research/2023/10/03/cve-2023-4911-looney-tunables-local-privilege-escalation-in-the-glibcs-ld-so#disclosure-timeline
Qualys and Red Hat are pretty big names, so they'd be likely to follow the typical process.
Distro developers were notified a month ago. At least Redhat and Debian have have published fixed versions. This is common procedure.
Security through obscurity is never good.
It's better that vulnerabilities be discussed openly. In general, people knowing the truth allows them to make better decisions.
It's not only the good guys that find vulnerabilities. There're many states and companies (selling to those governments) as well as regular criminal organizations paying people for vulnerabilities and exploits.
If the issue wasn't reported, it is likely that it would have been found by someone else at some point. It might even be known already, but just not reported.