Tails hacked by Facebook and the FBI

Security experts at they worked with the FBI to track down a pedophile who was monitoring the social for years now. They finally managed to locate it using a 0day on the video player installed on the of the system.

Defendant Buster Hernandez, arrested in August 2017, was using the distribution Tails Linux OS to remain anonymous while online, but according to a Vice report, he frequently visited Facebook in an attempt to blackmail underage girls to take nude photos and videos.

He also posted several threats of rape and terrorist attacks, but Facebook could not track him because of the operating system he was using, which sent all the through the TOR network.

The publication reveals that the FBI itself tried to break into the pedophile's computer several times, but failed due to security measures implemented by the Tails distribution. The social network finally managed to get in and work with a third party to develop an exploit (0day) in the video player that was in Tails.

An alleged victim then sent a video that was used to run the exploit, eventually helping the FBI determine Hernandez's IP address, locate him and arrest him.

H Vice he says also that Facebook never contacted Tails to report the security loophole, and in addition, it is unknown whether the FBI used the same exploit for other purposes. According to the publication, Facebook technicians have mixed feelings about whether the social network approach was the right one, while some say that the company did not have to pay to acquire the exploit. Still others believe that this was the only way to put an end to Hernandez's repeated threats to his victims.

Version 4.8 of Tails is scheduled for release on June 30th. At this time, we do not know if a patch has been released for this security vulnerability.

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Written by giorgos

George still wonders what he's doing here ...

One Comment

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  1. TOP is a system of Google (& co) - To follow us better ..
    They choose all those who try to hide activities more easily.
    And those who want rights ..and personal life ..
    The βΝδ (Germans) have (sorry) and I2Π at the same time.

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