Tough Day

I am awake from the last 25 hours. Gonna crash soon, so thought, why not write something about what happened today.

My eyes bulged when I found a couple of latest linux local root exploits those could really harm our servers.. The only methods are to upgrade to the latest kernel, configure, make blah blah, or get the latest patched kernel from RHN.

Here are the reports...

http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2006-2451
http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CAN-2006-3626

Here is the link for the patch from RHN.
https://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2006-0574.html

If you run CentOS, just do a yum update and it should fix the issues. How ever I do not like the way Redhat / CentOS deals with their software,l they should always opt for more up to date versions of kernels. In this regard, I feel Trustix is a better option.

So, I compiled the new kernel from source... Havent done this for a long time now. You know, this is what happens if you are stuck with proprietory software which runs only on Whinedoze.

First thing I noticed is that it doesnt need the 'make dep' command. I used a reference .config file from the last redhat kernel tree. compiled, installed, edited all the configs, then, something funny happened. iptables started crying about no support available in kernel. Upon checking found that the bloody module is not present.. I am still wondering what must have caused this because I used a redhat based base config file.

Lots of work to do after I get up :). More photos will be there from my last trip. Gotta shift my systems to upstairs.. Have to hunt a decent GPS and a couple of WRT54GSs for the community networking stuff...

So thats all for today..

*Snore*

Labels: computers, geek, linux, security

Mangalore Trip

Phfew, Back from Mangalore. It was a hell of a journey. It was not fun riding the bike without proper tuning. Here is a brief list of events happened during the trip.

Saturday, 15th July.

I had trouble getting the ticket from the Railway Ticket Mafia. The gang leader had gone home (far) with my ticket. I had some real trouble finding him. Somehow I managed to to get the ticket from him.

Back at home, while packing I double checked everything that is needed for the trip. Had the Laptop, Datacable etc.. etc.. Once it was satisfactory, I started. I was too tired after the two parties I had atteneded that day, so slept off in a few minutes. After a few hours, I was searching for my phone and couldnt find it. I thought I lost it. I didnt have the contact numbers of most of my friends written any where. So I was confused about what to do when I reach Mangalore as I dont know this guy's number who was keeping my bike. This could make the whole trip point less. Then after a few minutes of thinking I found it out.. Guess what, after all these double and tripple checking I FORGOT MY PHONE!!. Laptop was just a brick for us to carry around from then. Later, I called home and got the numbers through Mom.

So the moral of the story is: Don't Drink before you Pack :)

Sunday, 16th July.
Once in mangalore I asked the Rikshaw guy to take me to a hotel for changing and bath etc. He took us to a lodge called CiTi Residency.. It was okay untill i heard knocks on the door. Around 5 policemen came inside and started searching. Then they wrote our names and went. Later I found out that, this lodge has some dubious history (related to prostitution). Never ever go to that lodge..

Had a couple of drinks, started my journey back home. It was Shaji's first long bike trip. Poor chap, he was having the back pack on all the way back.

On the way, we stopped at Bekal Beach / Fort for around 40 minutes. You can see a couple of those pictures in my Flickr Slide show. Then, we travelled to Kannur, to meed Jayadev. Once there, we had a couple of drinks and caught up on things. Then slept like a Brick.

Monday, 17th July.

Woke up a little late from the hangover, Immediately started filling my Alcohol Deficiency.. And then rode to Muzhuppilangadi Beach. Its a "Drive In" beach in between Kannur and Thalassery. Took a couple of photos. Managed to fall down and the bike's back wheel sank. It was very difficult to pull it back up. This session runined the back brakes, and the chain drive. Had to take it to the service station for a brake clean up and chain readjustment. Wasted some time there and headed to Calicut to taste the, supposed to be, legendary Calicut Biriyani. Went to sagar hotel and tasted it. Frankly, I didn't like it at all, I have had better.

On the way back we stopped at a pickle shop and tasted various local styles. Bought some for our families. On the way back found a fruit shop with some rare fruits in kerala. I don't recall the names. It was good.

From then, There was an episode of rains, we had to stop for another hour due to rains. And then I started speeding. Some how reached home by 9.30 PM. My ass was numb by the time I reached. Came home, kept my luggage, took Shaji to his place. and Slept like a log. That concludes the journey...