Kernel articles

dirty frag linux copy fail vulnerability kernel proof of concept

Newly disclosed "Dirty Frag" vulnerability left Linux exposed for nearly a decade

Another massive support headache for the Linux world
Facepalm: The open-source community is once again facing a major security incident tied to an "unprecedented" vulnerability. The new flaw could give attackers a reliable way to escalate user privileges, and no patch is available yet. Fortunately, the mitigation process is relatively straightforward. Still, kernel developers are already growing frustrated with the seemingly endless stream of critical bugs.
apple advertising get a mac

Apple's latest ad pokes fun at the Windows CrowdStrike BSOD disaster

The return of "Get a Mac"
Winners & losers: Apple's new eight-minute ad takes a thinly veiled jab at last year's CrowdStrike meltdown – the software update that crashed Windows systems running critical infrastructure around the world. Beyond the humor, the short film highlights the differences between how Windows and macOS secure their kernels, which was the root cause behind last year's incident.
activision call of duty cheating with video

Study uncovers dark market making millions from video game cheats

Cheats can cost between $10 and $240 a month
The big picture: Researchers from the Universities of Birmingham and Warwick in the United Kingdom estimate that roughly 80 websites selling cheats for online video games generate between $12 million and $73 million annually. Although some cheats can bypass robust (and often unpopular) anti-cheating software, these tend to be more expensive.
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The Windows kernel is about to receive a security-focused redesign after CrowdStrike crash

Why it matters: The kernel space is the core component of a computer operating system, where critical hardware management and device driver code reside in memory. If a kernel-level driver malfunctions, the entire OS can behave erratically – or simply crash and burn with a BSOD. Microsoft has stated that it is working on a significant change to the Windows architecture to help prevent another large-scale incident like the one involving CrowdStrike a year ago.
fifa ea privacy cheating kernel

FIFA 23 and other EA titles will come with controversial "kernel-mode" anti-cheat software

In context: Nothing can ruin a multiplayer game faster than rampant cheating, so it's no surprise that developers go to great lengths to devise ways to mitigate it. One controversial method is to install kernel-mode drivers that monitor for anything that tries to tamper with the game's software. However, many players are not comfortable with granting such low-level privileges.