Tech Alert 2024! 🚀🔒

Welcome to a turbo-charged year in tech! We're zooming into 2024 with a laser focus on Linux's leap into AI and gaming, dissecting CISA's urgent cybersecurity warnings, and unmasking the stealthy menace of CSRF attacks in browser security. Fasten your seatbelts – it's a high-speed journey through innovation and vigilance in the digital world! 🌐💥

6 Predictions for Linux and Open Source in 2024

2024: A Pivotal Year for Linux and Open Source

1. Open-Source AI on the Rise: Following Mozilla's lead, open-source AI initiatives like Hugging Face and The AI Alliance (with members like Meta, Intel, Oracle, CERN) are gaining momentum. Expect Linux integrations with AI-enhanced features, though not heavily marketed.

2. Gaming Boost on Linux: Thanks to Valve's Steam Deck, more games are becoming Linux-friendly. With tools like Wine, Lutris, Bottles improving, gaming on Linux is more accessible than ever.

3. Immutable Linux Distros Expand: 2024 could see a surge in immutable Linux distributions. Ubuntu's Snap-based desktop and Fedora's new "Fedora Onyx" are leading the charge.

4. RISC-V Servers Emerge: Amidst the AI Chip war, RISC-V powered servers, like the SOPHON SG2042 cluster, are a hot topic, signaling a shift in chip manufacturing.

5. Enhanced UI/UX in Linux Distros: With GNOME 45 and Zorin OS 17 introducing user-friendly designs, Linux distros are focusing more on UI/UX. Expect innovations like a blue screen for error messages and major upgrades in desktop environments.

6. Source-Availability Trending: More software projects are opting for licenses like CC BY-NC-SA 4.0, making source-code public while restricting commercial distribution, enhancing trust and transparency.

Is it the Year of the Linux Desktop?
While Linux's desktop market share is low, there's a steady increase in adoption. 2024 might bring us closer to the "Year of the Linux Desktop".

CISA Adds Two Critical Vulnerabilities to Watchlist: CVE-2023-7024 and CVE-2023-7101

Cybersecurity Alert: New Vulnerabilities on the Radar

• CVE-2023-7024: This high-severity vulnerability in Google Chromium WebRTC framework allows remote code execution. Discovered by Google's Threat Analysis Group, this heap buffer overflow bug in Chrome's WebRTC module was actively exploited before patches were released. While Chrome's multiprocess architecture and Site Isolation feature offer some protections, the vulnerability can be used as a part of a more extensive attack chain.

• CVE-2023-7101: In the Perl module Spreadsheet::ParseExcel, version 0.65, there's a critical vulnerability leading to arbitrary code execution. It arises from the unchecked incorporation of input into a string-type “eval,” particularly in Number format strings in Excel parsing logic. Classified as “Improper Neutralization of Directives in Dynamically Evaluated Code” (Eval Injection), this vulnerability remains unpatched, posing a significant risk.

Key Points:

• CISA has added these vulnerabilities to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog due to evidence of active exploitation.

• CVE-2023-7024, a zero-day vulnerability, is the eighth for Chromium-based browsers in 2023.

• CVE-2023-7101's potential use in ransomware campaigns is currently unknown, and no patch is available.

Implications: The identification of these vulnerabilities highlights the ongoing need for robust cybersecurity measures and prompt patching strategies. Users and organizations must stay vigilant and update their systems regularly to mitigate these threats.

Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) Attacks: An Emerging Threat to Browser Security

CSRF: A Growing Cybersecurity Menace

• What Are CSRF Attacks? CSRF attacks trick a user's browser into executing unintended actions on authenticated websites. In 2022, these sophisticated exploits represented 5% of all application layer attacks.

• How They Occur: CSRF exploits the trust between a website and a user's browser, manipulating victims into executing actions without their knowledge. The 2022 Norton Cyber Security Insights Report revealed that 1 in 4 online users globally have fallen prey to CSRF attacks.

• Prevention Measures: Websites and browsers share the responsibility of preventing CSRF attacks. Websites can use session tokens, 'SameSite' cookie attributes, or CAPTCHAs like Google’s reCAPTCHA, which blocked 99.9% of automated CSRF attempts. Browsers can implement features like HTTPOnly and Secure cookies.

• User’s Role: Users must exercise caution, log out of websites when not using them, and keep their browsers updated. A Pew Research Center study found that 64% of online adults have become more cautious online due to cybersecurity threats.

• Looking Ahead: As CSRF attacks are expected to rise, ongoing advancements in browser security, secure coding practices, and user education are key to a safer digital environment.

Remember: Cybersecurity is a continuous journey requiring vigilance and adaptability from all stakeholders.