#126 OpenSSL3 WILL BREAK FDE

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opened 1 year ago by wael · 9 comments
wael commented 1 year ago

If someone had previously followed the instructions on Libreboot.org (https://web.archive.org/web/20200327071913/https://libreboot.org/docs/gnulinux/encrypted_parabola.html#preparing-the-storage-device-for-installation) for setting up FDE (at least on Parabola, haven't verified on others), OpenSSL3 will lead to unbootable systems!
As the instructions lead to using the whirlpool hash function and that has been pulled out of OpenSSL:
https://github.com/openssl/openssl/issues/5118
Currently it has been moved to a compile-time flag but should be fully deprecated later, in Arch Linux they seem to have not enabled it (disabled by default), this means that any downstream distro of Arch will have this breakage.

There already seems to be breakage: https://labs.parabola.nu/issues/3368#note-19
I have also verified on my system that the hash is using whirlpool (T400, set up in 2020 following the instructions on libreboot.org).

If someone had previously followed the instructions on Libreboot.org (https://web.archive.org/web/20200327071913/https://libreboot.org/docs/gnulinux/encrypted_parabola.html#preparing-the-storage-device-for-installation) for setting up FDE (at least on Parabola, haven't verified on others), OpenSSL3 will lead to unbootable systems! As the instructions lead to using the whirlpool hash function and that has been pulled out of OpenSSL: https://github.com/openssl/openssl/issues/5118 Currently it has been moved to a compile-time flag but should be fully deprecated later, in Arch Linux they seem to have not enabled it (disabled by default), this means that any downstream distro of Arch will have this breakage. There already seems to be breakage: https://labs.parabola.nu/issues/3368#note-19 I have also verified on my system that the hash is using whirlpool (T400, set up in 2020 following the instructions on libreboot.org).
wael commented 1 year ago
Poster

As an update, all the guides on libreboot.org (or ones linked to) - except the Debian one (couldn't verify) - do specify the whirlpool algorithm for the hash, this means the breakage is wide-ranging and all those who followed these guides (even after libreboot.org re-write) will be affected.

As an update, all the guides on libreboot.org (or ones linked to) - except the Debian one (couldn't verify) - do specify the whirlpool algorithm for the hash, this means the breakage is wide-ranging and all those who followed these guides (even after libreboot.org re-write) will be affected.
Ghost commented 1 year ago

I looked at OpenSSL's dependencies on ArchLinux and noticed its largely the same.

It is a pity that ArchLinux hasn't gotten the sense to switch to LibreSSL or something better than OpenSSL at least... aka, there are people talking about a possible heartbleed 2.0 vulnerability... smh...

Btw, isn't that parabola FDE guide above, extremely, mega old?

:/

2+ years old...

Not surprised this would happen, this is what rolling release bleeding edge distros have a tendency to do.

I looked at OpenSSL's dependencies on ArchLinux and noticed its largely the same. It is a pity that ArchLinux hasn't gotten the sense to switch to LibreSSL or something better than OpenSSL at least... aka, there are people talking about a possible heartbleed 2.0 vulnerability... smh... Btw, isn't that parabola FDE guide above, extremely, mega old? :/ 2+ years old... Not surprised this would happen, this is what rolling release bleeding edge distros have a tendency to do.
wael commented 1 year ago
Poster

Doesn't matter if it is old, chances are people aren't re-encrypting their devices all the time. As for Arch's regrettable decision to use OpenSSL, we'll IDK - I'm trying to see if Parabola would switch to gnutls.

Doesn't matter if it is old, chances are people aren't re-encrypting their devices all the time. As for Arch's regrettable decision to use OpenSSL, we'll IDK - I'm trying to see if Parabola would switch to gnutls.
wael commented 1 year ago
Poster

To anyone looking for a solution short of re-encryption: Arch/Parabola now carry an openssl1.1 package, which has the legacy ciphers.
TL;DR: whirlpool is now considered a legacy cipher by OpenSSL.

To anyone looking for a solution short of re-encryption: Arch/Parabola now carry an openssl1.1 package, which has the legacy ciphers. TL;DR: whirlpool is now considered a legacy cipher by OpenSSL.
Ghost commented 1 year ago

Hmm... that begs the question then, which are the most secure algorithms that should be used for LUKS(2+) Or as a whole...

This is for GNUPG:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNU_Privacy_Guard#Algorithms

but I wonder what is good for LUKS...

Food for thought anyhow, as I am curious.

Hmm... that begs the question then, which are the most secure algorithms that should be used for LUKS(2+) Or as a whole... This is for GNUPG: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNU_Privacy_Guard#Algorithms but I wonder what is good for LUKS... Food for thought anyhow, as I am curious.
Leah Rowe commented 1 year ago
Owner

could try libressl instead

archlinux has libressl in pacman repos

could try libressl instead archlinux has libressl in pacman repos
Leah Rowe commented 1 year ago
Owner

probably best not to rely on grub for fde anyway, it's horribly incomplete especially for luks2

probably best not to rely on grub for fde anyway, it's horribly incomplete especially for luks2
Leah Rowe commented 1 year ago
Owner
anyway https://notabug.org/libreboot/lbwww/commit/3a97c3fad41f5db686aa6de3695a0deafe6bc4e3 https://libreboot.org/docs/gnulinux/#encrypted-luksdm-crypt-installations this really isn't our bug
Ghost commented 1 year ago

@Leah Rowe

I keep forgetting that you said this about the 2nd luks, dunno why...

Btw, until something better arrives, wondered if you are going to fork nitrokey's heads version or w/e and add it.

@Leah Rowe I keep forgetting that you said this about the 2nd luks, dunno why... Btw, until something better arrives, wondered if you are going to fork nitrokey's heads version or w/e and add it.
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