Virtualizing rootkits and the future of system security
Virtual Malware
© davorr, Fotolia
A new generation of rootkits avoids detection by virtualizing the compromised system – and the user doesn't notice a thing.
In the typical cat-and-mouse game of attackers and defenders, the aim of the game is to gain or keep control of the operating system (see Figure 1). Legacy malware tries to escalate privileges and, if possible, to run in ring 0, the operating system's kernel mode. Once it gets there, the exploit, and thus the attacker, can manipulate the system.
Virtualization is often heralded as a big advance for system security. Multiple virtual systems can run on the same hardware without the ability to influence each other. This isolation prevents a number of standard attack techniques, but today's virtualization technologies also open a whole new frontier for attacks that never would have been possible in the past. Experts are already talking about a new generation of rootkits that will exploit the powers of virtualization to avoid detection.
Rootkits let an attacker secretly sustain privileged access to a computer. A rootkit can hide processes, network connections, files, and directories to remotely control the victim's PC, install backdoors, sniff network packets, or log keystrokes. Once the rootkit is running in kernel mode, it can filter and manipulate system call return values and very effectively hide files, directories, and processes.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
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
-
UN Creates Open Source Portal
In a quest to strengthen open source collaboration, the United Nations Office of Information and Communications Technology has created a new portal.
-
Latest Linux Kernel RC Contains Changes Galore
Linux kernel 7.0-rc3 includes more changes than have been made in a single release in recent history.
-
Nitrux 6.0 Now Ready to Rock Your World
The latest iteration of the Debian-based distribution includes all kinds of newness.
-
Linux Foundation Reports that Open Source Delivers Better ROI
In a report that may surprise no one in the Linux community, the Linux Foundation found that businesses are finding a 5X return on investment with open source software.
-
Keep Android Open
Google has announced that, soon, anyone looking to develop Android apps will have to first register centrally with Google.
-
Kernel 7.0 Now in Testing
Linus Torvalds has announced the first Release Candidate (RC) for the 7.x kernel is available for those who want to test it.
-
Introducing matrixOS, an Immutable Gentoo-Based Linux Distro
It was only a matter of time before a developer decided one of the most challenging Linux distributions needed to be immutable.
-
Chaos Comes to KDE in KaOS
KaOS devs are making a major change to the distribution, and it all comes down to one system.
-
New Linux Botnet Discovered
The SSHStalker botnet uses IRC C2 to control systems via legacy Linux kernel exploits.
-
The Next Linux Kernel Turns 7.0
Linus Torvalds has announced that after Linux kernel 6.19, we'll finally reach the 7.0 iteration stage.