Secret Backdoor Found in XZ Utils Library, Impacts Major Linux Distros

Urgent: Secret Backdoor Found in XZ Utils Library, Impacts Major Linux Distros

RedHat on Friday released an "urgent security alert" warning that two versions of a popular data compression library called XZ Utils (previously LZMA Utils) have been backdoored with malicious code designed to allow unauthorized remote access.

The software supply chain compromise, tracked as CVE-2024-3094, has a CVSS score of 10.0, indicating maximum severity. It impacts XZ Utils versions 5.6.0 (released February 24) and 5.6.1 (released March 9).

"Through a series of complex obfuscations, the liblzma build process extracts a prebuilt object file from a disguised test file existing in the source code, which is then used to modify specific functions in the liblzma code," the IBM subsidiary said in an advisory.

Read more on thehackernews.com

Ryzen 7 3800XT SPECS

AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT 8 16 105 W 3.8 GHz 4.7 GHz Matisse 2 Socket AM4 Cores Threads TCP Frequency Boost Codename Socket The AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT is a desktop processor with 8 cores, launched in July 2020, at an MSRP of $399. It is part of the Ryzen 7 lineup, using the Zen 2 (Matisse) architecture with Socket AM4. Thanks to AMD Simultaneous Multithreading (SMT) the core-count is effectively doubled, to 16 threads. Ryzen 7 3800XT has 32MB of L3 cache and operates at 3.8 GHz by default, but can boost up to 4.7 GHz, depending on the workload. AMD is building the Ryzen 7 3800XT on a 7 nm production process using 3,800 million transistors. The silicon die of the chip is not fabricated at AMD, but at the foundry of TSMC. You may freely adjust the unlocked multiplier on Ryzen 7 3800XT, which simplifies overclocking greatly, as you can easily dial in any overclocking frequency. With a TDP of 105 W, the Ryzen 7 3800XT consumes a good deal of power, so decent cooling is needed. AMD's processor supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel interface. The highest officially supported memory speed is 3200 MHz, but with overclocking (and the right memory modules) you can go even higher. For communication with other components in the machine, Ryzen 7 3800XT uses a PCI-Express Gen 4 connection. This processor does not have integrated graphics, you will need a separate graphics card. Hardware virtualization is available on the Ryzen 7 3800XT, which greatly improves virtual machine performance. Programs using Advanced Vector Extensions (AVX) will run on this processor, boosting performance for calculation-heavy applications. Besides AVX, AMD is including the newer AVX2 standard, too, but not AVX-512. Processor Physical Architecture Market: Desktop Production Status: Active Release Date: Jul 7th, 2020 Part#: 100-100000279WOF Socket: AMD Socket AM4 Foundry: TSMC Process Size: 7nm Transistors: 3,800 Million Die Size: 74 mm² I/O Process Size: 12 nm I/O Die Size: 124 mm² Package: µOPGA-1331 tCaseMax: 95°C Codename: Matisse 2 Generation: Ryzen 7 (Zen 2 (Matesse)) Memory Support: DDR4 3200 MHz Dual-channel ECC Memory: No PCI-Express: Gen 4 Performance Cache Core Config Frequency: 3.8 GHz Turbo Clock: up to 4.7 GHz Base Clock: 100MHz Multiplier: 38.0x Multiplier Unlocked: Yes TDP: 105 W FP32: 1,804.8 GFLOPS Cache L1: 64K (per core) Cache L2: 512K (per core) Cache L3: 32MB # of cores: 8 # of Threads 16 SMP # CPUs 1 Integrated Graphics N/A Features MMX SSE SSE2 SSE3 SSSE3 SSE4A SSE4.1 SSE4.2 AES AVX AVX2 BMI1 BMI2         SHA F16C FMA3 AMD64 EVP AMD-V SMAP SMEP SMT Precision Boost 2 XFR 2

Windows & macOS can't do this, but Linux can!

Windows & macOS can't do this,
but Linux can!

Building a new computer

Building a new computer

I am doing a complete AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT computer build to replace an AMD FX 8320 Black

From:		To:
AMD FX Black CPU AM3 Socket 8 cores 8 Threads		AMD Ryzen 7 3800 AM4 Socket 8 Cores 16 Threads

What's the difference between the Processors?

		AMD FX-8350 Black Eight-Core		AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT
Socket Type		AM3+		AM4
CPU Class		Desktop		Desktop
Clockspeed		4.0 Ghz		3.9 Ghz
Turbo Speed		Up to 4.2 GHz		Up to 4.7 GHz
# of Physical Cores		8 (in 4 physical modules)		8 (Threads: 16)
Cache		L1: 640KB, L2: 16.0MB, L3: 8MB		L1: 512KB, L2: 4.0MB, L3: 32MB
TDP		125W		105W
Yearly Running Cost		$22.81		$19.16
Single Thread Rating (% diff. to max in group)		1580 (-43.7%)		2809 (0.0%)
CPU Mark (% diff. to max in group)		6037 (-74.5%)		23712 (0.0%)

Read More Here

FREE Linux Tutorial Manuals

FREE LINUX HELP MANUALS In PDF or Epub for any E-reader To get your free copies fill out the request form on the right Chose as many as you want and the preferred format PDF or Epub Ultimate Linux Newbie Guide - Introduction To Linux Learn Linux in 5 Days Bash Beginners Guide Many More Manuals Found Here

 

11 Free Training Courses to Learn Linux Online

When I last discussed free books to learn Linux, some readers asked for my advice about video courses to learn Linux online.

Usually, I advise checking some good and affordable Linux courses on Udemy. There are some free courses and some paid but good courses for beginners as well as advanced users.

But if you are not in the mood to spend a few bucks, I have compiled this list of free Linux training courses.

If you are serious about building your career in Linux, you should try a certification like Linux Foundation Certified Sysadmin. Linux Foundation is the official organization behind the Linux project, and they have training and certification courses on cutting-edge Linux technologies. They also run sale several times a year.

But before you try your hands on certification courses, you should be familiar with the basics.

Hence, these video courses will help you do that. Some of these are just basics to introduce you to Linux while some can help you build a career with Linux. I've filtered them as per their categories.

These courses are available worldwide without any charges. All you need is a decent internet connection and the determination to learn Linux.

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