Kernel 2.6 rootkits and the quest for Linux security
BREAKING IN AND KEEPING OUT
Your Linux system may not be so airtight after all. To understand the threats, you need to think like an intruder. We'll show you what the intruders are thinking now about the Linux 2.6 kernel.
Of all the most devilish creations in the history of cyber crime, the rootkit is perhaps the most ingenious. A rootkit is a bundle of tools for the network intruder. An attacker who gains access to a computer can upload the rootkit and use the tools to gain control of the system. One interesting aspect of a rootkit is its ability to cover the intruder’s tracks. Doctored-up versions of common monitoring utilities such as netstat and ps hide any sign of the attack. Many, many rootkits were copied onto many computers around the world. But eventually, developers and security specialists grew wise to the ways of user space rootkits. Experts learned to detect the intruder’s presence by looking behind the standard Unix tools for evidence of changes. But rather than giving up, the intruders went on to something new. The kernel rootkit is a new generation of intrusion tool that weaves itself into the Linux system at a very deep level – below the reach of any userland detection tools. Armed with the kernel rootkit, the intruders again gained the upper hand – at least temporarily.
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Linux Kernel 6.16 Reaches EOL
Linux kernel 6.16 has reached its end of life, which means you'll need to upgrade to the next stable release, Linux kernel 6.17.
-
Amazon Ditches Android for a Linux-Based OS
Amazon has migrated from Android to the Linux-based Vega OS for its Fire TV.
-
Cairo Dock 3.6 Now Available for More Compositors
If you're a fan of third-party desktop docks, then the latest release of Cairo Dock with Wayland support is for you.
-
System76 Unleashes Pop!_OS 24.04 Beta
System76's first beta of Pop!_OS 24.04 is an impressive feat.
-
Linux Kernel 6.17 is Available
Linus Torvalds has announced that the latest kernel has been released with plenty of core improvements and even more hardware support.
-
Kali Linux 2025.3 Released with New Hacking Tools
If you're a Kali Linux fan, you'll be glad to know that the third release of this famous pen-testing distribution is now available with updates for key components.
-
Zorin OS 18 Beta Available for Testing
The latest release from the team behind Zorin OS is ready for public testing, and it includes plenty of improvements to make it more powerful, user-friendly, and productive.
-
Fedora Linux 43 Beta Now Available for Testing
Fedora Linux 43 Beta ships with Gnome 49 and KDE Plasma 6.4 (and other goodies).
-
USB4 Maintainer Leaves Intel
Michael Jamet, one of the primary maintainers of USB4 and Thunderbolt drivers, has left Intel, leaving a gaping hole for the Linux community to deal with.
-
Budgie 10.9.3 Now Available
The latest version of this elegant and configurable Linux desktop aligns with changes in Gnome 49.