Thursday, September 4, 2025

Platform

Golden dMSA is a sophisticated attack vector exploiting machine accounts in Active Directory to gain unauthorized access. Attackers enumerate dMSA accounts, crack passwords using brute force and NTLM hash values, and request TGTs for compromised accounts. This technique poses significant risks, including domain compromise, privilege escalation, and data exfiltration, emphasizing the need for advanced threat detection and response strategies.

Researchers at TUM have developed sys-sage, a hybrid software tool that seamlessly integrates quantum and supercomputer systems. The library was initially designed for supercomputers but now allows a unified representation of both system topologies via a single interface. This facilitates efficient use of quantum computers in supercomputing centers effectively.

Microsoft's fifth major iteration of Windows 11, version 25H2, is nearing release. The update will be a quiet one, with no significant new features, but rather resetting the clock for security updates and removing deprecated tools. Scheduled for October release, it will precede regular updates that will eventually align with the wider version.

Plasma's clipboard now allows users to mark entries as favorites for permanent saving, while a touch ring configuration feature has been added to drawing tablets for improved usability. Discover now installs hardware drivers from package repositories, streamlining device management. KRunner and its searches also support global shortcuts, enhancing productivity with these updates aimed at refining the user experience and increasing efficiency in various Plasma applications and workflows.

Bitnami has shifted from a free community model to a commercial enterprise one, introducing "Bitnami Secure Images" with hardened images and regular security patches for an added fee. This change poses operational risks for service providers who will now be responsible for monitoring and patching vulnerabilities themselves, assuming full responsibility for secure operations.

A recent document details vulnerabilities found in Linux kernel version 5.18's SMB protocol, specifically related to file sharing. It lists CVEs, explains their discovery and validation process, and provides patch information for each issue. The document aims to inform users about these critical issues and offer recommendations for securing their systems against exploitation.

An attack on CVE-2024-50264 exploits a buffer overflow in the Linux kernel's handling of virtual memory mapping through the `virtio_transport_space` module. The attacker creates a pipe with capacity `PAGE_SIZE * 4`, overwrites part of the `vmemmap` array, and then uses a formula to calculate an offset, allowing them to write arbitrary data to a target virtual memory page and gain root privileges by overwriting sensitive fields.

A new article introduces Linux terminology and tools for beginners, covering essential concepts such as kernel, distribution, command-line shell, and package manager. The article explains these terms and provides examples to illustrate each concept, with links to improve or contribute, aiming to equip readers with a solid foundation in Linux basics.

V8's performance optimization is crucial for Node.js applications. The modern V8 pipeline consists of Ignition and TurboFan, where Ignition generates bytecode optimized for performance, while TurboFan optimizes hot functions to produce highly efficient machine code. Following best practices like stable object shapes, monomorphic functions, and integer arithmetic can improve application speed.

Optimistic and pessimistic locking in databases have distinct approaches to concurrency. Optimistic locking allows concurrent updates by checking version numbers or unique identifiers, while pessimistic locking ensures strict data consistency with exclusive access. Developers must weigh conflict frequency, performance needs, and data integrity constraints when choosing between these strategies.

A cross-platform build utility based on Lua, enabling automation of C/C++ project builds across various toolchains. It provides a flexible alternative to traditional Makefile-based systems.

The Kafka replication protocol, specifically KIP-966, addresses issues like Last Replica Standing with a sophisticated recovery mechanism, improving durability. The document provides a high-level overview of the replication algorithm, log divergence, partition reassignment, and recovery strategies, aiming to separate implementation details from logical protocol logic for improved clarity and understanding.

Shaun Thomas's comprehensive guide helps Postgres users upgrade to a new major version while maintaining high availability and minimal downtime. The author provides a detailed walkthrough, including creating publications, managing replication slots, and handling upgrades in various scenarios, making it a valuable resource for those upgrading or implementing high-availability strategies.

Commonwealth Fusion Systems has raised nearly $3 billion from investors like Google Ventures to commercialize fusion power by early 2030s. The significant investment will likely accelerate development and deployment of fusion-based energy systems, bringing electricity-generating technology to the grid, marking a crucial step towards a cleaner and more sustainable future.

Software Freedom Day in New Jersey takes place on September 20th at Montclair State University, promoting free and open-source software, self-hosting, and online services. The event features talks on personal computer freedom, social networking, and hosting one's own online services, offering a space for conversation, demos, and Q&A sessions. Open to the public, attendees can explore the calendar of events, which includes essential details like a map, directions, and contact information. This community-driven event aims to educate and connect individuals interested in embracing self-hosting and free software solutions, making it an accessible resource for all.

Steiger is a container build orchestrator supporting Bazel, Docker BuildKit, Ko, and Nix, with native multi-service parallel builds and registry operations. It delegates caching to underlying systems, requiring minimal YAML configuration, and plans to integrate Kubernetes deployment support, enhancing overall build efficiency and streamline complex build processes efficiently.

DevTool+ is a VSCode extension that streamlines workflows by integrating common I/O tools directly into the editor. Featuring a side panel for tool interactions and an editor section for complex tasks, it offers over 30 tools with native-like UI components and real-time updates, enhancing productivity for developers.