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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Systemd wants to expand to include a sudo replacement (outpost.fosspost.org)

submitted 7 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (1 children)

This is great. Not having the attack surface of sudo (and not even being a SUID binary) certainly are great additions.

And I hope people realize that systemd is not one large thing, but a (large) collection of tools.

XZ-utils rings a bell ? It was among others Debian wanting to pull in part of a systemd tool into openssh and that almost turned into a world wide disaster :(

[–] [email protected] 14 points 7 months ago (1 children)

I didnt understand that sentence. Is that what you meant?

Among other things, Debian wanted to integrate a part of the systemd tools into openssh, which almost led to a worldwide catastrophe

xz is not part of systemd or openssh afaik.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 7 months ago (1 children)

You didn't follow the XZ-utils story ? The malicious actor worked for years on that XZ backdoor that targeted the fact that some Linux distributions were modifying their openssh package to enable systemd notifications.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 7 months ago (2 children)

Ok true, it was a systemd dependent issue. But it only makes sense to have those notifications. The problem is dependency on small hardly maintained products, which systemd will improve by centralizing it.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 7 months ago (1 children)

And where do maintainers for the new parts of systemd come from? The larger systemd grows the more parts of it will be neglected. Also in regard to people checking commits, opening up doors for exploits like the one in xz.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 7 months ago

I dont know but for sure has pros and cons

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (1 children)

But it only makes sense to have those notifications.

Maybe in your mind it makes sense. Going for ease of use rather than security is not something that OpenBSD would quickly do. If you read some more about what "jwz" has to say about all the screensaver bugs in Linux, like here : https://www.jwz.org/blog/2021/01/i-told-you-so-2021-edition and realize what a mess that Linux maintainers are making again and again, and then have a look at Debian and their packaging of xscreensaver. Guess what ? Debian added some systemd thingie to xscreensaver. 🤯

I like Debian since a long time and I use it. But the tinkering of Debian package maintainers and always wanting to do things the Debian way is not something I am always very pleased with. Remember the OpenSSL Debian fiasco ? That shows a problem with Debian which may still exist. Too many packages, not enough maintainers with enough spare time, and no coherent team work of a security team.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago

You are talking about Debian holding back random packages for stability. This is of course not very cool but it needs to be tested.

I am very much in favor of isolate app environments controlled by upstream devs, containerized and with a permission system. The system is made by the distro, and can be stable and very tested, and the apps are simply isolated and made by upstream.

There is no xscreensaver on Wayland and I think this will not come back?