Comment on Linux Kernel TCP Flaw With 9.8 CVSS Score Affects Ubuntu, Red Hat and Other Distributions
probable_possum@leminal.space 1 week ago
Is it known if/ when Ubuntu is going to provide a fix? ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-98432 Rn the page states: work in progress for a fix.
Someone rated the issue as 9.8.Other distributions provided a fixed kernel package 10days ago. Some say, Ubuntu engineers do not rate the issue as critical. But there are exploits available which prove a DoS. Not sure if the RCE with privilege escalation has an exploit yet and under which circumstances the RCE works. Is a golang service required? Are other services affected - is multipath TCP sufficient? Does the issue affect ipv6 too?
DoS isn’t that bad. RCE with root + an exploit on the other hand. Um…
if you run Ubuntu as a server nobody should take you seriously.
Debian literally exists as a server first while Ubuntu exists as desktop first.
the only valid excuse to using Ubuntu server is if your hardware is a RPI or rpi-clone and at that point you’re at a hobbyist level which makes more sense why you’d be using Ubuntu at all.
if you run Ubuntu as a server nobody should take you seriously.
May I ask: Why do you recommend to not use Ubuntu as a server OS?
They offer a server version, provide LTS releases and there is a (limited) extended security maintenance program if one decides to use a distribution after the EOL of the LTS. Which led me to believe it was a viable option.
I’m seriously interested in your insights.
Ubuntu is notoriously finicky as a server. multiple issues with how system configuration is different from other servers like Debian, redhat, etc. firewall used to be an absolute terror. also, as described, your patch levels are tailored to the whims of a corporate entity that historically has sided with desktop stability and experience over server stability and performance.
while we’re at it, canonical captures and sells system information like Microsoft does. by using Ubuntu, you become the product. IDK how much you know about companies that sell their consumers data, but typically they put profits over security.
I’ve worked for a handful of MSP/CSP vendors over the years and they only offer Ubuntu as a server option with one big caveat. you are responsible for the maintenance of the system. lo and behold, four years later they always come crying about how they’re about to fail an audit because it’s never been updated, or is misconfigured, or was hacked because they installed a bad library, ad nauseam.
from my own experience using it, though aged, it came with a service that was listening on port 3306. was it mysql? nope. what was it? dunno. I killed everything on that system that wasn’t required by the kernel. still listening. couldn’t install a database on it, so it was wiped and I never used it again.
simply put, Ubuntu is a desktop first OS. if you use it as a server you’re going to have a bad time because statistically speaking only amateurs use it that way.
Firewall. Ufw works fine as long as docker isn’t involved, which isn’t a Ubuntu nor ufw issue.
Information stealing: that’s true. One needs to get rid of some bloat.
Packet maintenance seems to be an issue when eol is reached. But this cve is the first bigger issue for me. Their efforts to build an own app ecosystem based on snaps is bothersome. Luckily there is no real lock-in. I can switch to Debian if needed. It just takes time.
hirihit640@sh.itjust.works 1 week ago
From what I read about regarding the PHP vulnerabilities, the RCE was extremely difficult to pull off. I’d guess it’s the same here, at least until some non-AI companies weigh in, since these AI companies tend to distort the reporting and severities quite a bit.
probable_possum@leminal.space 1 week ago
Thanks you.
Difficult aa in unlikely that the exploit works or difficult to write an exploit? The latter doesn’t help me much. :)
Difficult as in it’s a race condition that can theoretically be exploited when you get the timing right. But timing, if it’s not on a well-known isolated system right before you in some lab depends on a million details.
probable_possum@leminal.space 1 week ago
Yes. Anthropic wrote: it took them like an hour to get it right on their lab system. That’s different than the wild wild internet.