A new Linux vulnerability known as 'Looney Tunables' enables local attackers to gain root privileges by exploiting a buffer overflow weakness in the GNU C Library's ld.so dynamic loader.
Typically there’s a period of responsible disclosure to give the software maintainer an opportunity to fix it before it’s widely announced. After that period is up or the fix has been released the vulnerability discoverer is able to announce it and take credit for finding it.
It’s not only the good guys that find vulnerabilities. There’re many states and companies (selling to those governments) as well as regular criminal organizations paying people for vulnerabilities and exploits.
If the issue wasn’t reported, it is likely that it would have been found by someone else at some point. It might even be known already, but just not reported.
deleted by creator
Typically there’s a period of responsible disclosure to give the software maintainer an opportunity to fix it before it’s widely announced. After that period is up or the fix has been released the vulnerability discoverer is able to announce it and take credit for finding it.
deleted by creator
https://blog.qualys.com/vulnerabilities-threat-research/2023/10/03/cve-2023-4911-looney-tunables-local-privilege-escalation-in-the-glibcs-ld-so#disclosure-timeline
Qualys and Red Hat are pretty big names, so they’d be likely to follow the typical process.
Distro developers were notified a month ago. At least Redhat and Debian have have published fixed versions. This is common procedure.
Security through obscurity is never good.
It’s better that vulnerabilities be discussed openly. In general, people knowing the truth allows them to make better decisions.
It’s not only the good guys that find vulnerabilities. There’re many states and companies (selling to those governments) as well as regular criminal organizations paying people for vulnerabilities and exploits.
If the issue wasn’t reported, it is likely that it would have been found by someone else at some point. It might even be known already, but just not reported.