Torvalds Creates Patch for Cross-Platform Virus

Newsforge is reporting that Linus Torvalds took a few minutes to review the cross-platform proof of concept virus covered yesterday and has proven that the virus does indeed not work with latest kernel version 2.6.16 and even released a patch in order to fix this "problem." From the article: "The reason that the virus is not propagating itself in the latest kernel versions is due to a bug in how GCC handles specific registers in a particular system call. [...] So the virus did a number of strange things to make this show up, but on the other hand the kernel does try to avoid touching user registers, even if we've never really _guaranteed_ that. So the 2.6.16 effect is a mis-feature, even if a _normal_ app would never care. It just happened to bite the infection logic of your virus thing."

Comments

Does this mean...

[RealBothersome]

...that linux was patched so that the virus would now function as expected? I'd hate to think we left any program behind.

Re:Does this mean...

[arodland]

+1 Not Fantastically Stupid Like Everyone Else Today

Slashdot needs this moderation option almost as much as it needs

-1 Just Plain Obviously Wrong Stuff Quoted as Fact

So does this "bug" count

[EraserMouseMan]

as a patch or a bug or a buggy patch?

Re:So does this "bug" count

[Winlin]

A patchy bug.

Re:So does this "bug" count

[dgatwood]

No, Apache bug is how they gained local access to run the exploit codein the first place.

:-D

Next week:

[moochfish]

Next week: "Torvalds Patches Kernel Against Cross-Platform Virus"

The Microsoft equivalent?

[Foofoobar]

Ok... now lets see Bill Gates issue his own patch. The clocks ticking Bill. :)

Re:The Microsoft equivalent?

[InsaneGeek]

Microsoft's patch was already done way before Linus's, being the forward thinkers they are they made sure to be in front of the "make sure to get infected" chess game. Linus had to play catchup with this patch to make sure it Linux continues to get infected.

This is EXACTLY why I run NetBSD

[Anonymous Coward]

I don't want to get enfected with any of them Windows viruses, Mac Worms, or Linux Diseases.
So I run NetBSD
On a VAX

I'm slow, but I'm not infected.
(that's what I tell my girl also)

My question...

[tktk]

I know it was a proof of concept but... does the virus perform better on Windows or Linux?

Re:Only 16 comments?!

[AnalystX]

Some of the "fanboys" are applying the new patch, and the rest are looking at the contents of your hard drive right now.

Viruses on Linux ???

[ravee]

I think the viruses cause damage only if the person uses his machine logged in as root. If he is logged in as an ordinary user, I wonder how it is going to make a difference? At the most, some of his personal files may be modified or his keystrokes logged or the virus may use his machine to propagate to other machines. So what is the hoopla about this proof of concept virus which was created in a lab in some anti-virus company? I suspect this is a conspiracy of these anti-virus companies to stay afloat by creating a buzz about a virus in Linux.

Gee.

[ultramk]

Newsforge is reporting that Linus Torvalds took a few minutes to review the cross-platform proof of concept virus covered yesterday and has proven that the virus does indeed not work with latest kernel version 2.6.16 and even released a patch in order to fix this "problem."

Oh, um... Well, hmmm.

Thanks, Linus. I guess.

m-

Goal :)?

[suv4x4]

Today, we fix Linux to support a cross-platform virus, tommorow: support for Windows viruses.

Now that's bug compatibility

[TekPolitik]

A patch to make sure a virus runs gives a whole new meaning to the term "bug compatible".

My answer

[EmbeddedJanitor]

Performance is only a small part of the issue. You have to look at the TCO of running viruses to appreciate Windows properly. With Linux it is far harder to run a virus and you've got to train all your users to chmod etc. With Windows it's much eaiser, just double click or drag and drop. Now that saves you a bundle in IT tech support when people ask "how do I install virus X on my PC. Further, with Windows you get a lot more choice. You can get a wide selection of popular viruses from easy to download sources. Linux is pretty short on choice, so if you switch to Linux you're limiting choice which is UnAmerican.

Re:Fix it?

[FhnuZoag]

Well, one more step towards making Linux ready for the desktop.

license?

[Anonymous Coward]

I for one won't install proprietary viruses on my system. Unless the author releases it as Free software, I refrain from apt-getting it anytime soon..!

Great new slogan for Linux

[myxiplx]

Linux: So secure we have to patch it to make viruses run.

HA! Pro-linux apotheocratic cult

[mrcolj]

Newsforge is reporting that Linus Torvalds took a few minutes to review the cross-platform proof of concept virus covered yesterday and has proven...

HA! I know Slashdot is cultishly pro-linux, but the bias above is hilarious! I keep hearing Mr. Subliminal saying "Linus Torvalds (God) took a few minutes (every person in Seattle has been working at this individually and collectively this for weeks...) to prove (Bill Gates is just making stuff up, but anything Linus spends a few minutes perusing is proven. Oh, and despite the mobs developing Linux, )"