Fix for Security Hole in Android G1
In one fell swoop and with an automatically distributed patch, Google and T-Mobile fixed a problem with the G1 mobile phone whereby users could access root privileges and possibly raise all kinds of havoc.
In its originally delivered state, the G1 interpreted keyboard input as a remote shell request. This could be pretty annoying if you happen to type in "reboot" with applications running.
T-Mobile has since plugged the security hole with firmware update RC30, hoping thereby to raise the bar for any future hacks. The problem was discovered in early November, but got special notice after an experience by user jdhorvat. While talking on the G1 with his girlfriend, he restarted it.
When she asked why he wasn't responding, he IM'd her with the natural response "Reboot." He was surprised to see the device do just that.
Source of the security hole was boiled down to two lines of code in the init.rc file, according to the bug report. The file is a script that drives the boot process. A number of websites declared the problem one of the most embarrassing in recent history.
The G1 is manufactured by HTC and based on Google's Android platform, which is itself a knockoff of Linux and other Open Source components. Since its introduction, the G1 proved to be a favorite sport for hackers, who even managed to install and start Debian Lenny on it. The device is available in the U.S., but when other parts of the world start seeing it early 2009, all security holes will likely be plugged.
Issue 252/2021
Buy this issue as a PDF
News
-
Fedora 35 is Shaping Up to Be an Impressive Release
Although the beta version of Fedora’s upcoming release is behind schedule, the Linux distribution is still slotted for October and will include numerous bug fixes and some exciting new features.
-
Canonical Extends Support For Ubuntu 14.04 and 16.04
The company behind Ubuntu offered a much-needed lifeline to those who still depend on older versions of the open-source operating system.
-
GNOME 41 Has Arrived
The latest version of the GNOME desktop environment has been released with new functionality and plenty of improvements.
-
System76 Updates the 15" Pangolin with Ryzen
System76 announced they’re updating the Ryzen-powered Pangolin laptop to meet today’s need for more power.
-
KDE Plasma 5.23 Promises Plenty of Subtle Improvements
The next release of the KDE Plasma desktop includes new features, numerous improvements, and plenty of bug fixes.
-
GNOME 41 Beta is Now Available
The most popular open-source desktop environment is on the cusp of yet another new release, but don’t expect the massive changes found in the previous iteration.
-
Debian 11 “Bullseye” Now Available
The developers of Debian have released the latest version of the operating system so many distributions depend on.
-
Elementary OS 6 Odin Now Available
The developers of elementary OS have released their latest iteration which is all-in on Flatpaks and all about the user experience.
-
Kubuntu Focus Team Announces High-Performance Focus XE
The team behind the KDE-powered Linux laptops is now offering an ultra-portable laptop that doesn't skimp on performance.
-
Solus 4.3 Available for Download and Installation
The latest iteration from the Solus developers is out with kernel 5.13 and plenty of new features, bug fixes, and new hardware support.