Kicksecure - A Security Hardened Linux Distribution
Kicksecure is a free and open-source Linux distribution that aims to provide a highly secure computing environment. It has been developed from the ground up according to a formidable -- and time proven -- defense in-depth security design. In the default configuration, Kicksecure provides superior layered defenses of protection from many types of Malware.
Kicksecure is a complete computer operating system designed. Numerous applications come pre-installed with safe defaults which can be used immediately upon installation with minimal user input.
Hardening by Default[edit]
Kicksecure is a hardened operating system designed to be resistant to viruses and various attacks. It is based on Debian in accordance with an advanced multi-layer defense model, thereby providing in-depth security. Kicksecure provides protection from many types of malware in its default configuration with no customization required.
Table: Kicksecure Hardening Features
Feature | Description |
---|---|
Default Package Selection | No unnecessary software is installed by default such as exim, samba, cups that otherwise gets installed by some flavors of Debian. [1] |
Torified operating system ( |
This mitigates against targeted, malicious software upgrades.
|
Secure Package Sources Configuration | HTTPS (TLS) is enabled by default in APT. [4] |
TCP ISN CPU Information Leak Protection |
tirdad (TCP Initial Sequence Numbers Randomization) prevents TCP ISN-based CPU Information Leaks; see footnote. [5] |
security-misc
|
security-misc enhances miscellaneous security settings related to:
|
Secure network time synchronization using sdwdate
|
Secure Distributed Web Date (sdwdate) mitigates threats from time based attacks by not relying upon unauthenticated NTP. |
Default security software installations |
Software like AppArmor
|
Open Link Confirmation | This is enabled by default and prevents links from being unintentionally opened in supported browsers. |
Development Vision[edit]
Introduction[edit]
While many valuable security guides exist, better security and privacy for the masses necessitates software that applies a majority of hardening instructions by default.
This is the reason the Free and Open Source Kicksecure project exist; to offer a system that provides a reasonable security-hardened baseline, with the in-built flexibility to apply additional hardening dependent upon the user's threat model, hardware capabilities, motivation and knowledge. [7] The table below provides a further rationale for this position.
Table: Security Guide Limitations
Factor | Description |
---|---|
Initial vulnerability | When a base system is first installed, various security customizations are not yet applied. All users are vulnerable during this period. |
Recipient insecurity | Security principles do not exist in a vacuum:
|
Reliance on human memory | Adequate hardening often depends on discovering and remembering to apply all necessary steps from favorite security guides. |
Error risks | Manually applying security guide steps can lead to mistakes that render the whole procedure ineffective. |
Time requirements | Security guide steps are often lengthy and cover many different facets of computing. |
Secure guide discovery | There are countless security/hardening guides available on the Internet. It is impossible to follow them all and serious research is required to find valuable new resources. |
Incompleteness | Logically there is not one definitive, all-encompassing security guide. This means some users harden the kernel and install CPU microcode updates, while others rely on sandboxing and implement better random number generators, and so on. Most users miss critical elements because they are simply not aware they exist. |
Currency | Even the best security guides often contain outdated material. This is especially true for technically detailed or lengthy guides that canvass many topics. |
Publication form | The form of security guides can effect their utility. For example, those published in blogs and which do not allow comments have grave disadvantages compared to systems relying on collaborative version control software (like git) or collaborative websites (such as a wiki). The reason is contributors can easily fix issues or update contents. |
Popularity | Security guides which have low popularity cannot effect change and improve security practices if most people are unaware they exist. |
For these reasons Kicksecure will remain focused on enabling the majority of (reasonable) hardening settings by default, and allowing additional settings to be easily enforced via installable packages. For further information on this topic, see: The Problem with Security Guides and How We Can Fix It.
ISO[edit]
See ISO.
Planned Features[edit]
The Kicksecure development roadmap includes various security improvements:
- Many features are already available for testing, see Test wiki page.
- Encrypted and/or authenticated system-wide DNS (domain name resolution) [8] to mitigate against threats from DNS cache poisoning aka DNS spoofing. [9] See also DNS Security.
- Validating DNS.
- apparmor.d
- Hardened-kernel
Kicksecure Development Goals[edit]
Kicksecure is a security-hardened Linux Distribution. (Mobile version not planned yet.)
This section details potential future security enhancements for Kicksecure.
(The wiki source for the following text can be found in Template:Kicksecure_Android.)
Most iPhone / Android devices [2] | "Libre Android" [10] | Linux Desktop Distributions | Kicksecure Development Goals | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Upgrades do not require vendor | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
User freedom to replace operating system | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Administrator capabilities (root) not refused | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Custom operating system (bootloader unlock) not refused | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
No trouble or void device warranty from software changes (rooting or bootloader unlock) | No [11] | No [12] | Yes | Yes |
No user freedom restrictions | No [13] | Yes | Yes | Yes |
No backdoors included | No [14] | Yes | Yes | Yes |
No spyware included in operating system | No [15] | Yes | Yes | Yes |
No culture of freemium applications that spy on users in appstores | No [16] | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Culture of Freedom Software in appstores | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Freedom Software | No [17] | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Compromised application cannot access data of other applications | Yes [18] | Yes [18] | No | Yes |
Malware on a compromised system cannot easily gain root | Yes [19] | Yes [19] | No [20] | Yes |
Reasonable resistance against system wide rootkit | Yes [21] | Yes [21] | No | Yes |
Verified Boot | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
Hardened Kernel | Yes | Yes | some | Yes |
Full System MAC Policy | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
Internal storage can reasonably easily be removed and mounted elsewhere for the purpose of data recovery or hunting malware / rootkits. | No [22] | No [12] | Yes [23] | Yes [24] |
Internal storage can reasonably easily be decrypted once transferred to a different device if password is known. | No [25] | No [26] | Yes | Yes [27] |
Can reasonably easily boot from external hard drive, ignoring internal harddrive for purpose of data recovery or hunting malware / rootkits. | No | No [12] | Yes | Yes [24] |
Can reasonably easily create full data backup. | No [28] | Yes | Yes | Yes [24] |
Can reasonably easily create full data backup of any app when device is rooted with Titanium Backup or similar | No [29] | Yes | Yes | Yes [24] |
Applications cannot refuse data backup (for purpose of malware, spyware analysis or backup and restore). | No [30] | Yes | Yes [31] | Yes [24] |
No culture of users can ask device (code) for permission and device (code) will decide to grant or refuse the request. | No | Yes | Yes [31] | Yes [24] |
No culture of applications refusing to run if device is rooted. | No [32] | Yes | Yes | Yes [24] |
No culture of applications refusing to run if using a custom operating system (custom ROM). | No [33] | Yes | Yes | Yes [24] |
User (privacy) settings are respected. | No [34] | Yes | Yes | Yes [24] |
WiFi off indicator means that WiFi is really off. | No [35] | Yes | Yes | Yes [24] |
Bluetooth off indicator means that Bluetooth is really off. | No [36] | Yes | Yes | Yes [24] |
Prevention of targeted malicious upgrades. [37] | No [3] | ? [38] | ? [39] | Yes [40] |
Vendors do not sometimes introduce mitigations that introduce attack surface. | No [41] | Yes | Yes | Yes [24] |
The GNU Project does not state: "Apple's Operating Systems Are Malware" and "Google's Software is Malware". | No | Yes | Yes | Yes [24] |
Quote More than a billion hopelessly vulnerable Android gizmos in the wild that no longer receive security updates – research. The operating system of these devices:
- Do not receive security upgrades from the vendor.
- Third parties (such as users or the modding community) cannot provide (security) upgrades either due to locked bootloaders, which cannot be unlocked due to vendor decision and due to unavailability of a security bug which could unlock the bootloader.
- Even if bootloaders can be unlocked there might not be an adequate operating system upgrades available from third parties, such as the modding community. Either due to unpopularity of the devices among modding developers and/or due to technical challenges.
Ability to upgrade (security fixes) devices; replace operating system; bootloader freedom vs bootloader non-freedom:
- iPhones and some Android devices have locked boot loaders that cannot be unlocked. This restricts user freedom and makes replacing the operating system impossible without a verified boot bypass exploit. In case the vendor deprecated security support for the device, the only choices users realistically have is to keep using an insecure device, or to buy a device which still has security support. Similarly, locked bootloaders also prevent gaining administrator (root) access.
- Some Android devices do allow unlocking the bootloader but not with custom verified boot keys, causing a decrease in security.
- Some Android devices (such as the Nexus or Pixel devices) support full verified boot with custom keys that can be used with alternative operating systems.
In conclusion, when using iPhone/Android devices that still receive security updates, the iPhone/Android approach provides strong protection against malware, meaning those platforms are impacted much less than Windows or Linux desktops. [18] Despite the many downsides (Mobile Devices Backdoors in Most Phones Tablets Etc, Data Harvesting by Most Phones, ...), the security model of popular mobile operating systems often affords better protection when attempting to prevent any malicious and unapproved party from establishing a foothold in their ecosystem. In the process, the user's and the security community's ability to audit and control what their devices are actually doing is severely diminished. Due to a Conflict of Interest this comes at the expense of transferring power from the user to the developers, user freedom restrictions, Tyrant Security, War on General Purpose Computing.
Kicksecure will not implement these kinds of user freedom restrictions since it is not required nor desirable. The capability to replace the operating system or gain administrator access will remain fully supported. Many popular device operating systems utilize security technologies which restrict user freedoms. In contrast, Kicksecure aims to utilize the same security concepts for the goal of empowering the user and increasing protection from malware.
It is theoretically possible to provide some of the same iPhone / Android security concepts on a Linux computer too. Steps have already been made to apply mobile device security concepts to Linux distributions such as security-misc and apparmor.d. Security technologies like hardened kernels or verified boot used by popular mobile operating systems could also be ported to Linux distributions. Community contributions are gladly welcomed! Here is a list of potential security enhancements for Kicksecure:
- multiple boot modes for better security: persistent user | live user | persistent admin | persistent superadmin | persistent recovery mode
- Disable SUID Binaries
- (re-)mount home (and other?) with noexec (and nosuid (among other useful mount options)) for better security
- enforce kernel module software signature verification
- deactivate malware after reboot from non-root compromise
- walled garden, firewall whitelisting, application whitelisting, sudo lockdown, superuser mode, protected mode
- Hardened Kernel
- Verified Boot
- signify signed releases
- Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQCrypto) resistant signing of releases
- Untrusted Root User
Design[edit]
Usability by Default[edit]
While developed with security-focused design goals, Kicksecure remains highly flexible. The layered approach to security allows applications to retain usability. Kicksecure can be used for everyday "general-purpose computing" or for more risky activities that require a highly advanced security-centric platform. Since Kicksecure is Freedom Software users may install any application of their choosing -- no restrictions are placed on how Kicksecure can be used, customized or modified.
Kicksecure aims to maximize usability by default so it can be utilized as an everyday, multipurpose operating system by users of all skill levels.
Table: Kicksecure Usability Features
Feature | Description |
---|---|
Debian Usability Fixes |
|
Simplicity and flexibility |
|
Popular applications | Popular applications come pre-installed and configured with safe defaults to make them ready for use right out of the box. |
Data protection | Sensitive user data is protected by state-of-the-art cryptographic tools:
|
Based on Debian[edit]
In oversimplified terms, Kicksecure is just a collection of configuration files and scripts. Kicksecure is not a stripped down version of Debian; anything possible in "vanilla" Debian GNU/Linux can be replicated in Kicksecure.
Likewise, most problems and questions can be solved in the same way. For example: "How do I install VLC Media Player on Kicksecure?" -- "The same way as in Debian apt install vlc
."
Kicksecure does not break anything, limit functionality, or prevent installation of compatible software.
Based on Freedom Software[edit]
Many people wonder why developers would spend countless hours of their own time to build an operating system and then give it away. Kicksecure developers believe it is immoral to benefit from those Free / Freedom Software components and give back nothing to the community. We stand on the shoulders of giants. Kicksecure and many other Libre software projects are only made possible because people invested time in writing code and kept it accessible for the public's benefit. Of course, a lot of us just find it great fun.
User Population / Promotion[edit]
- Apply as many security settings by default without breaking usability too much.
- Kicksecure is already the base for Whonix - Anonymous Operating System.
https://www.wilderssecurity.com/threads/hardened-debian-in-development-feedback-wanted.408245/
Releases[edit]
Kicksecure Version[edit]
Each Kicksecure release is based on a particular version of Debian:
Kicksecure version | Debian Version | Debian Codename |
---|---|---|
Kicksecure 17.2.0.7 |
12 |
bookworm
|
Users can manually check the Kicksecure version at any time by following this step.
Release Schedule[edit]
Kicksecure does not have a fixed release schedule. A new stable release only becomes available when it is deemed ready.
Support Schedule[edit]
Table: Kicksecure Support Schedule
Release | Description |
---|---|
New Debian Release | One month after a new stable version of Debian is released, Kicksecure VMs may no longer be supported on any older version of Debian. All users must upgrade the Debian platform promptly after the deprecation notice in order to use Kicksecure safely. |
New Kicksecure Release | One month after a new stable version of Kicksecure is released, older versions will no longer be supported. All users must upgrade the Kicksecure platform promptly in order to remain safe. |
Deprecation Notices | The deprecation notice is provided at least one month in advance and posted in the kicksecure.com news forum. Stay Tuned! All users must upgrade the respective platform promptly in order to remain safe.
|
Next Steps[edit]
Learning more about Kicksecure is the best way to determine whether it is a suitable solution in your personal circumstances. The following chapters are recommended:
- The Warning page to understand the security limitations of Kicksecure.
- Further information about Kicksecure Features.
- The implied Trust placed in Kicksecure when it is used.
- The Security Guide, Advanced Security Guide and Design chapters detailing the Kicksecure specifications, threat model and implementation.
- Other relevant Documentation explaining how to use Kicksecure safely.
Help Wanted[edit]
- Kicksecure will hopefully soon become available as a Template for Qubes OS.
Footnotes[edit]
- ↑ Debian bookworm Xfce live ISO installed exim, samba, cups by default.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Most iPhone / Android phones that are sold by mobile carriers or manufacturers have locked bootloaders. These phones are often packaged with spyware installed by default, which cannot be removed. There may be rare exceptions to this rule, hence "most" and not "all". These exceptions are not the point which shall be made in this comparison. See the "Libre Android" column for what is theoretically possible.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Most android phones have a feature which allows to login on google play web/desktop version using the same e-mail address which is used on the phone. Usually the same gmail address. When clicking install for an app using the google play web/desktop version, the user will be prompter (in case of having registred multiple devices) on which device the app should be installed. After pressing install, the app will be installed on the phone. This video demonstrates this. It is therefore established that the google website can result in remote app installation on the phone. It follows that a coerced or compromised google play website could do the same. Since the gmail based web login can be linked to the same gmail address on the phone, pushing targeted malicious upgrades is esspecially easy. Even if a phone was always fully torified (all traffic routed over Tor) the gmail identifier could still be used. While Tor can anonymize the connection, it does not (and should not) attempt to modify anything inside the traffic (the gmail identifier).
- ↑
Debian installed using a Debian bookworm Xfce live ISO calamares came with an
/etc/apt/sources.list
file usinghttp://
(unencrypted) instead of the more securehttps://
(TLS) by default. - ↑
The Linux kernel has a side-channel information leak bug. It is leaked in any outgoing traffic. This can allow side-channel attacks because sensitive information about a system's CPU activity is leaked. It may prove very dangerous for long-running cryptographic operations. Research has demonstrated that it can be used for de-anonymization of location-hidden services.
- ↑
Better encryption is achieved via preinstalled random number generators, specifically:
- Loading of the jitterentropy-rng kernel module by default.
- Installation of the user space entropy gathering daemons haveged and jitterentropy-rng by default.
- See also: Dev/Entropy.
- ↑ It is also accepted that no "perfect configuration" exists that can make a system invulnerable against advanced adversaries. Further, systems that are excessively hardened can become almost unusable except for the most advanced individuals.
- ↑ use DNSCrypt by default
- ↑ DNS spoofing results in traffic being diverted to the attacker's computer (or any other computer).
- ↑ There is no "Libre Android" at time of writing. It's only a concept to illustrate a point. There is no "perfect" Android distribution. GrapheneOS has verified boot but root access is refused in default builds. Replicant allows root access, but no references were found that Replicant makes use of verified boot yet. It's not relevant to pick any specific Android distribution for the sake of making the point "iPhone and Android Level Security for Linux Desktop Distributions" no specific Android distribution was chosen for this compassion. A "perfect" Android distribution checking all "green yes" is possible in theory. It doesn't exist due to policy decisions. (GrapheneOS vs root in default builds vs device selection / features.) There are no technical reasons for non-existence. See also this Overview of Mobile Projects, that focus on either/and/or security, privacy, anonymity, source-available, Freedom Software..
- ↑ https://www.howtogeek.com/240417/does-rooting-or-unlocking-void-your-android-phones-warranty/
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Same issue as Most iPhone / Android devices since inheriting the same hardware limitations.
- ↑ Mobile Devices Restrictions
- ↑ Mobile Devices Backdoors in Most Phones Tablets Etc
- ↑ Data Harvesting by Most Phones
- ↑ Data Harvesting by Most Apps
- ↑ Comes with a lot proprietary software installed by default.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2
That would require an exploit.
In comparison, a compromised application on the Linux desktop running under
user
has full access to all information which that user has access to, including all files, keystrokes and so on. The exception is when mandatory access control (MAC) is in use and successfully confines that application. - ↑ 19.0 19.1 Occasionally there are exploits that allow applications to gain root, but as time passes more of these vulnerabilities are being fixed.
- ↑ On the Linux desktop the process of Preventing malware from Sniffing the Root Password is cumbersome and unpopular. Therefore any compromised application on the Linux desktop could lead to root compromise. This in turn might compromise the bootloader, kernel, or even hardware. It is difficult to detect malware, remove a rootkit and indicators of compromise are rare.
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 Through verified boot.
- ↑
This is a hardware limitation. Internal storage is a chip and soldered. Removal is an operation which most repair shops are incapable of performing. Even if removed, it's not easy to find a device which can read the device without booting from it. Perhaps it could be booted from in another device, but that would be beside the point. If the operating system is unbootable due to software issues, it will also be unbootable elsewhere. If malware analysis is the goal, then no code from the suspected infected storage device should ever be executed.
Even worse if full disk encryption was used as per next table entry.
Hence, not "reasonably easily" possible.
Quote How to fully backup non-rooted devices?:For 4.0+ devices there is a solution called "adb backup".
Note: This only works for apps that do not disallow backup! Apps that disallow backup are simply ignored when creating a backup using this way.
Information from Copy full disk image from Android to computer does not work for non-rooted / non-rootable devices.
Taking a non-rooted Android device with GrapheneOS, contributed by a user.
$ adb devices List of devices attached xxxxxxxxxxx device $ adb root adbd cannot run as root in production builds $ adb shell walleye:/ $ ls ls: ./init.zygote64_32.rc: Permission denied ls: ./init.rc: Permission denied ls: ./init.usb.rc: Permission denied ls: ./ueventd.rc: Permission denied ls: ./init.zygote32.rc: Permission denied ls: ./init: Permission denied ls: ./cache: Permission denied ls: ./init.environ.rc: Permission denied ls: ./persist: Permission denied ls: ./postinstall: Permission denied ls: ./init.usb.configfs.rc: Permission denied ls: ./metadata: Permission denied acct apex bin bugreports charger config d data debug_ramdisk default.prop dev dsp etc firmware lost+found mnt odm oem proc product product_services res sbin sdcard storage sys system vendor 1|walleye:/ $ sudo ls /system/bin/sh: sudo: inaccessible or not found 127|walleye:/ $ su /system/bin/sh: su: inaccessible or not found 127|walleye:/ $
walleye:/dev/block $ ls -lah total 0 drwxr-xr-x 6 root root 2.4K 1970-07-03 11:40 . drwxr-xr-x 18 root root 3.9K 2020-05-26 15:41 .. lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 37 1970-07-03 11:40 bootdevice -> /dev/block/platform/soc/1da4000.ufshc drwxr-xr-x 2 root root 1.6K 1970-07-03 11:40 by-name brw------- 1 root root 252, 0 1970-07-03 11:40 dm-0 brw------- 1 root root 252, 1 1970-07-03 11:40 dm-1 brw------- 1 root root 7, 0 1970-07-03 11:40 loop0 brw------- 1 root root 7, 8 1970-07-03 11:40 loop1 brw------- 1 root root 7, 80 1970-07-03 11:40 loop10 brw------- 1 root root 7, 88 1970-07-03 11:40 loop11 brw------- 1 root root 7, 96 1970-07-03 11:40 loop12 brw------- 1 root root 7, 104 1970-07-03 11:40 loop13 brw------- 1 root root 7, 112 1970-07-03 11:40 loop14 brw------- 1 root root 7, 120 1970-07-03 11:40 loop15 brw------- 1 root root 7, 16 1970-07-03 11:40 loop2 brw------- 1 root root 7, 24 1970-07-03 11:40 loop3 brw------- 1 root root 7, 32 1970-07-03 11:40 loop4 brw------- 1 root root 7, 40 1970-07-03 11:40 loop5 brw------- 1 root root 7, 48 1970-07-03 11:40 loop6 brw------- 1 root root 7, 56 1970-07-03 11:40 loop7 brw------- 1 root root 7, 64 1970-07-03 11:40 loop8 brw------- 1 root root 7, 72 1970-07-03 11:40 loop9 drwxr-xr-x 2 root root 80 1970-07-03 11:40 mapper drwxr-xr-x 3 root root 60 1970-07-03 11:40 platform brw------- 1 root root 1, 0 1970-07-03 11:40 ram0 brw------- 1 root root 1, 1 1970-07-03 11:40 ram1 brw------- 1 root root 1, 10 1970-07-03 11:40 ram10 brw------- 1 root root 1, 11 1970-07-03 11:40 ram11 brw------- 1 root root 1, 12 1970-07-03 11:40 ram12 brw------- 1 root root 1, 13 1970-07-03 11:40 ram13 brw------- 1 root root 1, 14 1970-07-03 11:40 ram14 brw------- 1 root root 1, 15 1970-07-03 11:40 ram15 brw------- 1 root root 1, 2 1970-07-03 11:40 ram2 brw------- 1 root root 1, 3 1970-07-03 11:40 ram3 brw------- 1 root root 1, 4 1970-07-03 11:40 ram4 brw------- 1 root root 1, 5 1970-07-03 11:40 ram5 brw------- 1 root root 1, 6 1970-07-03 11:40 ram6 brw------- 1 root root 1, 7 1970-07-03 11:40 ram7 brw------- 1 root root 1, 8 1970-07-03 11:40 ram8 brw------- 1 root root 1, 9 1970-07-03 11:40 ram9 brw------- 1 root root 8, 0 1970-07-03 11:40 sda brw------- 1 root root 8, 1 1970-07-03 11:40 sda1 brw------- 1 root root 8, 10 1970-07-03 11:40 sda10 brw------- 1 root root 8, 11 1970-07-03 11:40 sda11 brw------- 1 root root 8, 12 1970-07-03 11:40 sda12 brw------- 1 root root 8, 13 1970-07-03 11:40 sda13 brw------- 1 root root 8, 14 1970-07-03 11:40 sda14 brw------- 1 root root 8, 15 1970-07-03 11:40 sda15 brw------- 1 root root 259, 0 1970-07-03 11:40 sda16 brw------- 1 root root 259, 1 1970-07-03 11:40 sda17 brw------- 1 root root 259, 2 1970-07-03 11:40 sda18 brw------- 1 root root 259, 3 1970-07-03 11:40 sda19 brw------- 1 root root 8, 2 1970-07-03 11:40 sda2 brw------- 1 root root 259, 4 1970-07-03 11:40 sda20 brw------- 1 root root 259, 5 1970-07-03 11:40 sda21 brw------- 1 root root 259, 6 1970-07-03 11:40 sda22 brw------- 1 root root 259, 7 1970-07-03 11:40 sda23 brw------- 1 root root 259, 8 1970-07-03 11:40 sda24 brw------- 1 root root 259, 9 1970-07-03 11:40 sda25 brw------- 1 root root 259, 10 1970-07-03 11:40 sda26 brw------- 1 root root 259, 11 1970-07-03 11:40 sda27 brw------- 1 root root 259, 12 1970-07-03 11:40 sda28 brw------- 1 root root 259, 13 1970-07-03 11:40 sda29 brw------- 1 root root 8, 3 1970-07-03 11:40 sda3 brw------- 1 root root 259, 14 1970-07-03 11:40 sda30 brw------- 1 root root 259, 15 1970-07-03 11:40 sda31 brw------- 1 root root 259, 16 1970-07-03 11:40 sda32 brw------- 1 root root 259, 17 1970-07-03 11:40 sda33 brw------- 1 root root 259, 18 1970-07-03 11:40 sda34 brw------- 1 root root 259, 19 1970-07-03 11:40 sda35 brw------- 1 root root 259, 20 1970-07-03 11:40 sda36 brw------- 1 root root 259, 21 1970-07-03 11:40 sda37 brw------- 1 root root 259, 22 1970-07-03 11:40 sda38 brw------- 1 root root 259, 23 1970-07-03 11:40 sda39 brw------- 1 root root 8, 4 1970-07-03 11:40 sda4 brw------- 1 root root 259, 24 1970-07-03 11:40 sda40 brw------- 1 root root 259, 25 1970-07-03 11:40 sda41 brw------- 1 root root 259, 26 1970-07-03 11:40 sda42 brw------- 1 root root 259, 27 1970-07-03 11:40 sda43 brw------- 1 root root 259, 28 1970-07-03 11:40 sda44 brw------- 1 root root 259, 29 1970-07-03 11:40 sda45 brw------- 1 root root 8, 5 1970-07-03 11:40 sda5 brw------- 1 root root 8, 6 1970-07-03 11:40 sda6 brw------- 1 root root 8, 7 1970-07-03 11:40 sda7 brw------- 1 root root 8, 8 1970-07-03 11:40 sda8 brw------- 1 root root 8, 9 1970-07-03 11:40 sda9 brw------- 1 root root 8, 16 1970-07-03 11:40 sdb brw------- 1 root root 8, 17 1970-07-03 11:40 sdb1 brw------- 1 root root 8, 32 1970-07-03 11:40 sdc brw------- 1 root root 8, 33 1970-07-03 11:40 sdc1 brw------- 1 root root 8, 48 1970-07-03 11:40 sdd brw------- 1 root root 8, 49 2020-05-26 15:41 sdd1 brw------- 1 root root 8, 58 1970-07-03 11:40 sdd10 brw------- 1 root root 8, 59 1970-07-03 11:40 sdd11 brw------- 1 root root 8, 60 1970-07-03 11:40 sdd12 brw------- 1 root root 8, 61 1970-07-03 11:40 sdd13 brw------- 1 root root 8, 62 1970-07-03 11:40 sdd14 brw------- 1 root root 8, 63 2020-05-26 15:42 sdd15 brw------- 1 root root 259, 30 2020-05-26 15:41 sdd16 brw------- 1 root root 259, 31 2020-05-26 15:41 sdd17 brw------- 1 root root 259, 32 1970-07-03 11:40 sdd18 brw------- 1 root root 8, 50 1970-07-03 11:40 sdd2 brw------- 1 root root 8, 51 1970-07-03 11:40 sdd3 brw-rw---- 1 system system 8, 52 2020-05-26 15:48 sdd4 brw------- 1 root root 8, 53 1970-07-03 11:40 sdd5 brw------- 1 root root 8, 54 1970-07-03 11:40 sdd6 brw------- 1 root root 8, 55 1970-07-03 11:40 sdd7 brw------- 1 root root 8, 56 1970-07-03 11:40 sdd8 brw------- 1 root root 8, 57 1970-07-03 11:40 sdd9 brw------- 1 root root 8, 64 1970-07-03 11:40 sde brw------- 1 root root 8, 65 1970-07-03 11:40 sde1 brw------- 1 root root 8, 66 1970-07-03 11:40 sde2 brw------- 1 root root 8, 67 1970-07-03 11:40 sde3 brw------- 1 root root 8, 68 1970-07-03 11:40 sde4 brw------- 1 root root 8, 69 1970-07-03 11:40 sde5 brw------- 1 root root 8, 80 1970-07-03 11:40 sdf brw------- 1 root root 8, 81 1970-07-03 11:40 sdf1 brw------- 1 root root 8, 82 1970-07-03 11:40 sdf2 brw------- 1 root root 8, 83 1970-07-03 11:40 sdf3 brw------- 1 root root 8, 84 1970-07-03 11:40 sdf4 brw------- 1 root root 8, 85 1970-07-03 11:40 sdf5 drwx------ 2 root root 40 1970-07-03 11:40 vold brw------- 1 root root 253, 0 2020-05-26 15:41 zram0
$ adb shell walleye:/ $ mount /dev/root on / type ext4 (ro,seclabel,nodev,relatime) tmpfs on /dev type tmpfs (rw,seclabel,nosuid,relatime,size=1851548k,nr_inodes=462887,mode=755) devpts on /dev/pts type devpts (rw,seclabel,nosuid,noexec,relatime,mode=600) proc on /proc type proc (rw,nosuid,nodev,noexec,relatime,gid=3009,hidepid=2) sysfs on /sys type sysfs (rw,seclabel,nosuid,nodev,noexec,relatime) selinuxfs on /sys/fs/selinux type selinuxfs (rw,relatime) tmpfs on /mnt type tmpfs (rw,seclabel,nosuid,nodev,noexec,relatime,size=1851548k,nr_inodes=462887,mode=755,gid=1000) tmpfs on /apex type tmpfs (rw,seclabel,nosuid,nodev,noexec,relatime,size=1851548k,nr_inodes=462887,mode=755) /dev/block/sdd3 on /persist type ext4 (rw,seclabel,nosuid,nodev,noatime,data=ordered) /dev/block/dm-1 on /vendor type ext4 (ro,seclabel,relatime) none on /dev/cpuctl type cgroup (rw,nosuid,nodev,noexec,relatime,cpu) none on /acct type cgroup (rw,nosuid,nodev,noexec,relatime,cpuacct) none on /dev/cpuset type cgroup (rw,nosuid,nodev,noexec,relatime,cpuset,noprefix,release_agent=/sbin/cpuset_release_agent) none on /dev/stune type cgroup (rw,nosuid,nodev,noexec,relatime,schedtune) /dev/root on /apex/com.android.tzdata@290000000 type ext4 (ro,seclabel,relatime) /dev/root on /apex/com.android.tzdata type ext4 (ro,seclabel,relatime) /dev/root on /apex/com.android.runtime@1 type ext4 (ro,seclabel,relatime) /dev/root on /apex/com.android.runtime type ext4 (ro,seclabel,relatime) debugfs on /sys/kernel/debug type debugfs (rw,seclabel,relatime) none on /config type configfs (rw,nosuid,nodev,noexec,relatime) tracefs on /sys/kernel/debug/tracing type tracefs (rw,seclabel,relatime) /dev/block/sde4 on /metadata type ext4 (rw,sync,seclabel,nosuid,nodev,noatime,discard,data=ordered) /dev/block/sda28 on /firmware type vfat (ro,context=u:object_r:firmware_file:s0,relatime,uid=1000,gid=1000,fmask=0337,dmask=0227,codepage=437,iocharset=iso8859-1,shortname=lower,errors=remount-ro) tmpfs on /storage type tmpfs (rw,seclabel,nosuid,nodev,noexec,relatime,size=1851548k,nr_inodes=462887,mode=755,gid=1000) /dev/block/sda45 on /data type ext4 (rw,seclabel,nosuid,nodev,noatime,noauto_da_alloc,resgid=1065,errors=panic,stripe=4096,data=ordered) /dev/root on /apex/com.android.conscrypt@290000000 type ext4 (ro,seclabel,nodev,relatime) /dev/root on /apex/com.android.conscrypt type ext4 (ro,seclabel,nodev,relatime) /dev/root on /apex/com.android.media@290000000 type ext4 (ro,seclabel,nodev,relatime) /dev/root on /apex/com.android.media type ext4 (ro,seclabel,nodev,relatime) /dev/root on /apex/com.android.media.swcodec@290000000 type ext4 (ro,seclabel,nodev,relatime) /dev/root on /apex/com.android.media.swcodec type ext4 (ro,seclabel,nodev,relatime) /dev/root on /apex/com.android.resolv@290000000 type ext4 (ro,seclabel,nodev,relatime) /dev/root on /apex/com.android.resolv type ext4 (ro,seclabel,nodev,relatime) adb on /dev/usb-ffs/adb type functionfs (rw,relatime) mtp on /dev/usb-ffs/mtp type functionfs (rw,relatime) ptp on /dev/usb-ffs/ptp type functionfs (rw,relatime) /data/media on /mnt/runtime/default/emulated type sdcardfs (rw,nosuid,nodev,noexec,noatime,fsuid=1023,fsgid=1023,gid=1015,multiuser,mask=6,derive_gid,default_normal) /data/media on /storage/emulated type sdcardfs (rw,nosuid,nodev,noexec,noatime,fsuid=1023,fsgid=1023,gid=1015,multiuser,mask=6,derive_gid,default_normal) /data/media on /mnt/runtime/read/emulated type sdcardfs (rw,nosuid,nodev,noexec,noatime,fsuid=1023,fsgid=1023,gid=9997,multiuser,mask=23,derive_gid,default_normal) /data/media on /mnt/runtime/write/emulated type sdcardfs (rw,nosuid,nodev,noexec,noatime,fsuid=1023,fsgid=1023,gid=9997,multiuser,mask=7,derive_gid,default_normal) /data/media on /mnt/runtime/full/emulated type sdcardfs (rw,nosuid,nodev,noexec,noatime,fsuid=1023,fsgid=1023,gid=9997,multiuser,mask=7,derive_gid,default_normal) pstore on /sys/fs/pstore type pstore (rw,seclabel,relatime)
- ↑ Computer (non-mobile) hardware is much more flexible. Storage devices can be removed from a computer, then added to another computer as a secondary disk. When booting from an installation assumed to be uncompromised (by [the same] malware), a search for malware can be performed on the other disk without executing any code, reducing risk of infection for the booted disk. This kind of procedure can be performed reasonably easily by most repair shops, and even non-technical people can do this without the need for soldering.
- ↑ 24.00 24.01 24.02 24.03 24.04 24.05 24.06 24.07 24.08 24.09 24.10 24.11 24.12 Same as Linux Desktop Distributions.
- ↑
The masterkey is not stored on the internal storage. It is stored in hardware. which is even harder to extract.
Note: "masterkey" here does not mean "backdoor". This is normal for most Linux desktop distributions offering full disk encryption. The masterkey is stored somewhere. When entering the password at boot with Linux desktop full disk encryption enabled, what gets decrypted is not actually the disk but the masterkey. This is then used to decrypt the disk, which is also called luks header. The advantage of the masterkey is that changing the disk encryption password is possible without having to re-encrypt the whole disk. (cryptsetup-reencrypt
).
It is perhaps possible to dump the masterkey if the phone can still be started and can be rooted. There are no instructions how to do so. Hence, not "reasonably easily". - ↑ Same issue as Most iPhone / Android devices. Limitation of hardware, not software.
- ↑ Same as Linux Desktop Distributions.
- ↑ See next point below.
- ↑ Signal is such an example. People expected Titanium Backup to be able to backup the Signal app data but lost data. Extra steps are required for a Signal backup. (Insturctions untested by author of this wiki page.)
- ↑
Quote https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/application-element#allowbackup
android:allowBackup
Whether to allow the application to participate in the backup and restore infrastructure. If this attribute is set to false, no backup or restore of the application will ever be performed, even by a full-system backup that would otherwise cause all application data to be saved via adb. The default value of this attribute is true.
- ↑ 31.0 31.1 If credentials can be provided (full disk encryption password if used), (super) root will have full access.
- ↑ How to prevent applications from discovering my phone as being Rooted
- ↑ How-To Geek: SafetyNet Explained: Why Android Pay and Other Apps Don’t Work on Rooted Devices
- ↑
AP Exclusive: Google tracks your movements, like it or not
Google wants to know where you go so badly that it records your movements even when you explicitly tell it not to.
An Associated Press investigation found that many Google services on Android devices and iPhones store your location data even if you’ve used a privacy setting that says it will prevent Google from doing so.
Computer-science researchers at Princeton confirmed these findings at the AP’s request.
- ↑
- Google can still use Bluetooth to track your Android phone when Bluetooth is turned off
- How Google--and everyone else--gets Wi-Fi location data
How it works, according to Google, is that the Android Location Services periodically checks on your location using GPS, Cell-ID, and Wi-Fi to locate your device. When it does this, your Android phone will send back publicly broadcast Wi-Fi access points' Service set identifier (SSID) and Media Access Control (MAC) data. Again, this isn't just how Google does it; it's how everyone does it. It's Industry practice for location database vendors.
- ↑ Google can still use Bluetooth to track your Android phone when Bluetooth is turned off
- ↑ As in singling out specific users. Shipping malicious upgrades to select users only.
- ↑ Probably same as Linux Desktop Distributions.
- ↑ Linux distributions usually do not require an e-mail based login to receive upgrades. Users can still be singled out by IP addresses unless users opt-in for using something such as apt-transport-tor which is not the default.
- ↑ All upgrades are downloaded over Tor. There is no way for the server to ship legit upgrade packages to most users while singling out specific users for targeted attacks.
- ↑ Some Android vendors introduce mitigations that introduce attack surface.
- ↑
Debian comes with a broken
/etc/apt/sources.list
file by default.- Debian default
/etc/apt/sources.list
comes with a brokendeb cd-rom:
line. - Debian default
/etc/apt/sources.list
comes withhttp
instead ofhttps
by default. - Debian default
/etc/apt/sources.list
has only thedebian-security
repository enabled by default but not thedebian
repository. As a result, no packages are installable until the user figures out how to add that line to APT sources.
/etc/apt/sources.list
comes empty except fora brokendeb cd-rom:
line. - Debian default
- ↑
On Debian, the user must run after a new installation
su
followed by/usr/bin/adduser user sudo
and reboot (or re-login) to be able to usersudo
. - ↑ It currently only assists with using shared folders in VirtualBox. Other virtualizers -- such as KVM shared folder setup -- might be possible in the future.
- ↑ Such as creating default folders, allowing commands to be run without a password, simplifying the running of OpenVPN as an unpriveleged user, and much more.
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