The beta version of Ubuntu 24.04 won’t be released on time, the developers have confirmed, following concerns about a major security threat.
Instead of launching on April 4, the latest Ubuntu version, which also holds the codename Noble Numbat, will now be released on April 11 after developers Canonical decided to push the release for a week because of the discovery of CVE-2024-3094, a critical vulnerability recently discovered in xz-utils.
XZ-utils is a set of data compression tools and libraries used by major Linux distros. The vulnerability was introduced to XZ version 5.6.0 by a pseudonymous attacker, and persisted throughout 5.6.1 as well.
Securing future versions
The majority of Linux distros seem to be affected by the flaw. Ubuntu 24.04 (but not older versions), Red Hat, Fedora Rawhide, and Fedora 40, as well as some Kali Linux versions, and some Arch Linux installation media, are affected.
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) versions, stable Debian releases, as well as Linux Mint, Gentoo Linux, Alpine Linux and Amazon Linux are not affected, it was said.
In the Discourse post, Canonical said it will “remove and rebuild all binary packages that had been built for Noble Numbat after the CVE-2024-3094 code was committed to xz-utils (February 26th), on newly provisioned build environments.” This should make the latest Ubuntu release safe from the vulnerability which was given a severity score of 10.0.
Tom’s Hardware speculates that the launch of the final 24.04 version – planned for April 25 – could also be delayed. A survey on Mastodon, set up by a former Canonical employee, showed that out of roughly 100 respondents, only a slim majority (56% versus 44%) expects the version to be released on time.
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Earlier this week, Binarly released a free scanner to make hunting for the flaw faster, more seamless, and with fewer false positives.
The latest iteration of the Ubuntu operating system, Ubuntu 23.10, also known as “Mantic Minotaur,” was released on October 12, 2023. This version comes with a host of new features and improvements, making it a significant upgrade from its predecessor, Ubuntu 22.04 LTS. The system requirements remain the same as the previous version, ensuring a smooth transition for existing users.
One of the most notable changes in Ubuntu 23.10 is the introduction of the minimal install as the default setting. This change is a significant shift from previous versions, where a full suite of applications was installed by default. Now, users have the option to expand their installation with apps like LibreOffice, Thunderbird, Shotwell photo manager, gnome calendar, and more, based on their specific needs.
Ubuntu 23.10 also introduces a new App Center, a Flutter-based replacement for Ubuntu Software. This new feature provides a responsive front end to Canonical’s Snap Store, allowing users to install traditional Deb software available in the Ubuntu archives. This change is expected to enhance the user experience by making software installation more straightforward and intuitive.
Another significant addition is the firmware updater tool, which simplifies the process of updating device firmware. This tool is a welcome addition for users who want to keep their devices up-to-date with the latest firmware versions.
The new Dynamic workspace indicator is another feature that enhances the user experience. This feature replaces the old ‘Activities’ label in the top bar and animates as you move between workspaces, providing a more intuitive and visually appealing way to navigate your workspace.
Ubuntu 23.10 new features
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The Quick Settings menu now includes a feature for keyboard backlight control, providing users with more control over their device settings. This feature is particularly useful for users who frequently use their devices in low-light conditions.
Nautilus, the default file manager in Ubuntu, has also received significant improvements in Ubuntu 23.10. These improvements include a speed boost, faster thumbnail generation, and quicker search results, making file management more efficient and user-friendly.
The settings app now includes a compact system details dialogue, providing users with a quick and easy way to access system information. The settings app also includes a new privacy panel, an overhauled keyboard layout viewer, and the ability to edit and manage saved Wi-Fi network connection info when Wireless connectivity is off.
Mantic Minotaur
Ubuntu 23.10 also introduces support for quarter tiling of app windows, allowing users to nestle app windows into quadrants. This feature enhances multitasking and makes it easier to manage multiple open windows. Firefox, the default web browser in Ubuntu, now runs in a native Wayland mode by default. This change improves touchscreen manipulation, making browsing more user-friendly for touchscreen device users.
Ubuntu 23.10 includes Linux kernel version 6.5 and MESA 23.2, which provide improved gaming and graphics performance. These updates are expected to enhance the user experience for gamers and users who frequently use graphics-intensive applications. SirsUbuntu 23.10 also introduces experimental features like Ubuntu on ZFS support and TPM backed disk encryption. While these features are still in the experimental stage, they represent significant advancements in Ubuntu’s capabilities.
Ubuntu 23.10 is a significant upgrade from its predecessor, introducing a host of new features and improvements that enhance the user experience. Whether you’re a long-time Ubuntu user or new to the platform, Ubuntu 23.10 offers something for everyone.
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Canonical, the company responsible for the development of the popular Linux distribution Ubuntu, has recently unveiled Ubuntu 23.10, codenamed “Mantic Minotaur“. This latest release brings a host of improvements and new features, including enhanced security, an upgraded app discovery system, and support for new platforms.
One of the most significant enhancements in Ubuntu 23.10 is the improved security features. The new version introduces preview support for hardware-backed full-disk encryption. This means that encryption keys are stored in the Trusted Platform Module (TPM), a dedicated microcontroller designed to secure hardware by integrating cryptographic keys into devices. These keys are then recovered automatically by authenticated boot software, adding an extra layer of security to the system.
In addition to this, the Ubuntu kernel has been modified to address a common exploit path. Now, programs are required to have an AppArmor profile to use unprivileged user namespaces. AppArmor is a Linux kernel security module that allows the system administrator to restrict programs’ capabilities with per-program profiles. This change in the kernel is a significant step towards making Ubuntu more secure against potential threats.
Ubuntu 23.10 Mantic Minotaur
The release of Ubuntu 23.10 also brings an upgraded App Center for Ubuntu Desktop. This new App Center supports both snap and deb package formats, providing users with a wider range of software options. It also leverages metadata from the Canonical Snap Store, enhancing the security of the software discovery and management process.
In terms of platform support, Ubuntu 23.10 demonstrates Canonical’s commitment to staying up-to-date with the latest technology. The new release supports the Raspberry Pi 5 and SiFive HiFive Pro P550, making it a versatile choice for users interested in experimenting with different platforms and architectures.
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Network configuration on Ubuntu has also seen improvements. Ubuntu 23.10 now uses Netplan, a declarative Linux networking configuration tool, for both desktop and server use-cases. This deeper integration of administration tools provides a seamless networking experience for users.
Furthermore, the Active Directory Group Policy client, ADsys, now supports machine certificate auto-enrollment from Active Directory Certificate Services. This feature simplifies the process of managing and deploying machine certificates, making it easier for administrators to secure their networks.
Finally, Ubuntu 23.10 includes the latest version of Docker 24.0.5 and two popular Docker plugins, `docker-buildx` and `docker-compose-v2`. These additions reduce repository sprawl for engineers and simplify the maintenance of development environments.
The release of Ubuntu 23.10 Mantic Minotaur brings a host of improvements and new features that enhance security, simplify software discovery and management, and support new platforms. Whether you’re a developer, a system administrator, or a casual user, these enhancements make Ubuntu 23.10 a compelling choice for your next operating system. For more information or to download the latest release jump over to the official website by following the link below.
Source : Canonical
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