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Torvalds Creates Patch for Cross-Platform Virus

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the just-here-to-make-things-work dept.

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."

6 of 195 comments (clear)

  1. Does this mean... by RealBothersome · · Score: 5, Funny

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

  2. The Microsoft equivalent? by Foofoobar · · Score: 5, Funny

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

    --
    This is my sig. There are many like it but this one is mine.
  3. This is EXACTLY why I run NetBSD by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    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)

  4. Re:Only 16 comments?! by AnalystX · · Score: 5, Funny

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

  5. My answer by EmbeddedJanitor · · Score: 5, Funny

    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.

    --
    Engineering is the art of compromise.
  6. Re:Fix it? by FhnuZoag · · Score: 5, Funny

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