IBM developers and others continue exploring the potential for address space isolation in the Linux kernel to reduce the risk of leaking sensitive data in attacks like L1 Terminal Fault (L1TF), MDS, and other vulnerabilities. Though this does increase the complexity of the kernel code and the performance hit is still to be evaluated. Learn more in an interesting Phoronix article: . Mike Rapoport and James Bottomley presented at this week's Open-Source Summit Europe in France on Address Space Isolation within the kernel compared to the current structure of the kernel using a single address space. The still in-progress A.S.I. patches could allow for certain kernel contexts like the Kernel-based Virtual Machine (KVM) to have a separate address space to reduce the exposure of sensitive data. Kernel Address Space Isolation was proposed earlier this year but its impact is still to be fully evaluated in terms of the impact on code complexity and overall security benefits as well as performance. As such, this functionality isn't coming to a near-term kernel release but those wanting to find out more can do so via this PDF slide deck from the presentation. The link for this article located at Phoronix is no longer available. . During the Open-Source Summit Europe, Mike Rapoport and James Bottomley engaged in a conversation about Address Space Isolation and its implications for security.. Address Space Isolation, Kernel Security, Open Source Summit, Data Protection. . Brittany Day
The US federal government's latest computer-security report has given the Department of Homeland Security a failing 'F' grade US federal departments and agencies are showing some improvement in protecting their computer networks, but many -- including the Department of Homeland Security . . . . The US federal government's latest computer-security report has given the Department of Homeland Security a failing 'F' grade US federal departments and agencies are showing some improvement in protecting their computer networks, but many -- including the Department of Homeland Security -- are failing, according to a government report released on Tuesday. The report, prepared for the House of Representatives' Committee on Government Reform, found that almost all agencies had improved their computer-security grade since last year. However, several key federal departments continued to fail to adequately protect their networks and earned an "F." The link for this article located at ZDNet.co.uk is no longer available. . The US federal government's latest computer-security report has given the Department of Homeland Sec. federal, government's, latest, computer-security, report, given, department, homeland. . Anthony Pell
The 24 major agencies of the U.S. government performed so poorly this year that lawmakers charged with overseeing government efficiency want to tie agencies' funding to network security procedures and force them to buy software only from a list of "qualified" . . . . The 24 major agencies of the U.S. government performed so poorly this year that lawmakers charged with overseeing government efficiency want to tie agencies' funding to network security procedures and force them to buy software only from a list of "qualified" products. Despite the redoubled attention to security since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, 14 of 24 federal agencies flat out flunked their efforts to improve network safety, according to the Computer Security Report Card released last month by the House Subcommittee on Government Efficiency, Financial Management and Intergovernmental Relations. This fall, the subcommittee concluded that every major agency in the federal government houses significant network security weaknesses. The link for this article located at EWeek is no longer available. . The 24 major agencies of the U.S. government performed so poorly this year that lawmakers charged wi. major, agencies, government, performed, poorly, lawmakers, charged. . Anthony Pell
Andreas Krennmair writes, "Because I found the design of Solar Designer's POP3 daemon popa3d somewhat obscure, I started writing my own POP3 daemon, called akpop3d. Now I want to ask the LinuxSecurity.com community to peer-review this program. Although I . . . . Andreas Krennmair writes, "Because I found the design of Solar Designer's POP3 daemon popa3d somewhat obscure, I started writing my own POP3 daemon, called akpop3d. Now I want to ask the LinuxSecurity.com community to peer-review this program. Although I did very thorough security checks, I can't be 100% sure unless somebody had a look at it. I'd be glad to get some feedback, be it potential security problems or new features, no matter whether as patch or as an idea." akpop3d is a POP3 daemon aimed to be small and secure. Despite its small size, it offers a lot of features. It is completely RFC 1939 compliant. The link for this article located at Andreas Krennmair is no longer available. . Sophia Reynolds seeks insights on her robust SMTP server, smtpdSecure, designed for collaborative evaluation and enhancement of security protocols.. akpop3d, secure daemon, pop3 server, security feedback. . LinuxSecurity.com Team
Get the latest Linux and open source security news straight to your inbox.