New Spectre v2 attack variant leaks Linux root password hash in minutes
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Researchers have devised a new Branch Target Reuse (BTR) attack that can recover root password hashes from Intel machines running Linux in roughly 3-5 minutes on average. The technique builds on Spectre v2 and abuses branch target prediction behavior to leak sensitive data from kernel memory.
Key points:
- Targets Intel hardware running Linux
- Recovers root password hashes in about 3-5 minutes on average
- Based on a Spectre v2-style speculative execution flaw
- Classified as a Branch Target Reuse (BTR) attack
The article does not list specific affected versions, indicators of compromise, or mitigation steps, so apply your usual Spectre/Meltdown hardening guidance and watch for vendor updates. As always, keep microcode and kernel packages current and review your exposure to local attackers.
Source: BleepingComputer
Does your organization run Intel-based Linux systems, and are you planning any additional mitigations in response to this research?
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