GRUB Archives

Winsage

September 1, 2024

Rhino Linux 2024.2 horns in on Microsoft Windows 11

Rhino Linux has released version 2024.2, aimed at users considering a switch from Windows 11. Key updates include a new Unicorn theme that enhances the desktop environment, a revamped Setup Wizard with more options, containerization features, a new package manager, and a night shift mode. The package management system, Pacstall, has been updated with new commands and improved search capabilities. Additional enhancements include corrections to the GRUB bootloader display and updated Linux kernels for better hardware support, including for Pine64 and Raspberry Pi. The new version is available for download.

Winsage

August 22, 2024

Microsoft investigates a patch breaking dual-boot PCs

Microsoft is addressing issues from a security patch for a two-year-old vulnerability (CVE-2022-2601) in the GRUB open-source boot loader, which has caused crashes on dual-boot systems running Windows and Linux. The patch was intended to fix a buffer overflow vulnerability that could allow unauthorized access during system startup. Despite Microsoft's advisory stating that the latest Windows builds are not affected when using GRUB2, users reported problems booting their Linux distributions after the update. Microsoft acknowledged the issue and is working with Linux partners to resolve it. Users have shared workarounds, including disabling Secure Boot and deleting the SBAT policy. Separately, the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) added the ProxyLogon vulnerability (CVE-2021-31196) in Microsoft Exchange Server to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog, highlighting ongoing exploitation despite a patch released in July 2021.

Winsage

August 21, 2024

Microsoft breaks dual-boot Windows and Linux PCs with security update sent to wrong systems

A recent Microsoft security update has caused booting issues for users of dual-boot systems running both Windows and Linux. The update, intended to fix a vulnerability in GRUB, was mistakenly applied to dual-boot systems, resulting in an error message: "something has gone seriously wrong." Affected Linux distributions include Debian, Linux Mint, Puppy Linux, Ubuntu, and Zorin OS. Users have been advised to temporarily disable secure boot to delete the problematic SBAT included in the update released on August 13, 2024, and then re-enable secure boot to restore functionality.

Winsage

August 21, 2024

Microsoft’s latest security update has ruined dual-boot Windows and Linux PCs

Microsoft's recent security update has disrupted dual-boot systems running Windows and Linux by causing booting issues due to a patch for a vulnerability in the GRUB boot loader. Users are experiencing error messages like “security policy violation” and “something has gone seriously wrong” across various Linux distributions, including Ubuntu, Debian, and Linux Mint. The update was meant to enhance Secure Boot security, but it has led to boot failures for many users. A temporary workaround for Ubuntu users involves disabling Secure Boot in BIOS and executing a command to remove Microsoft's SBAT policy. Despite Secure Boot being a key security feature for Windows, it has vulnerabilities that may compromise its effectiveness. The situation highlights the need for better communication from Microsoft regarding the impact of their updates.

Winsage

August 21, 2024

Windows update paralyzes Linuxes again

Recent Windows updates rolled out on August 13 have caused booting issues for users of various Linux distributions, particularly affecting Ubuntu 24.04 LTS and its derivatives. The updates introduced security measures that block outdated boot loaders, specifically through the Secure Boot Advanced Targeting (SBAT) feature. This feature aims to address memory limitations in BIOS and recognizes when secure boot is compromised, leading to the failure of Linux boot loaders Shim and Grub. Only boot loaders from trusted sources, mainly Microsoft, can operate under Secure Boot. While the update does not apply to systems that dual boot Windows and Linux, reports indicate that Linux boot sticks may still be affected. Existing Linux installations on hard drives or SSDs will continue to function normally with the latest updates. Affected distributors will need to update their installation media, which may take several days, or users can disable Secure Boot, keeping in mind the need to document the Bitlocker recovery key to avoid issues with encrypted Windows installations.

Winsage

August 21, 2024

“Something has gone seriously wrong,” dual-boot systems warn after Microsoft update

Last Tuesday, users in the Linux community experienced boot failures due to an error message related to a Microsoft update that aimed to fix a two-year-old vulnerability in GRUB, designated CVE-2022-2601, which had a severity rating of 8.6 out of 10. This vulnerability allowed attackers to bypass Secure Boot, a safeguard against malicious software during the boot process. The update affected various Linux distributions, including Debian, Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Zorin OS, and Puppy Linux, particularly impacting dual-boot systems. Microsoft claimed that the update would not affect dual-boot configurations, but many users reported otherwise. Affected users have sought solutions, such as disabling Secure Boot or deleting the newly introduced Secure Boot Attestation Token (SBAT) policy. The incident underscores ongoing issues with Secure Boot, which has faced scrutiny due to multiple vulnerabilities.

Winsage

August 4, 2024

How to Dual-Boot Windows 11 and Linux Ubuntu on your PC

Dual booting allows the installation and running of two operating systems on a single computer. This guide focuses on setting up Windows 11 alongside Linux Ubuntu. 1. Preparation: Download installation images for Windows 11 and Linux Ubuntu, ensuring compatibility with your processor's architecture. Create bootable media using the Media Creation Tool for Windows 11 and balenaEtcher for Linux Ubuntu. 2. Configuring the BIOS: Access the BIOS and set the USB drive as the primary boot device. 3. Installing Windows 11: Boot from the Windows 11 USB, select preferences, and follow installation prompts. Create a new partition for Windows 11 without deleting existing partitions. 4. Installing Linux Ubuntu: After installing Windows 11, boot from the Ubuntu USB, select preferences, and choose the “Something else” option for custom installation. Set the partition type to “Primary” and format it as “Ext4,” assigning the mount point to “/.” Create a swap partition based on RAM size. 5. Configuring GRUB: Restart the computer to access the GRUB bootloader. If GRUB does not appear, hold the Shift key or manually configure it using Terminal commands to set the timeout and enable the menu for OS selection. 6. Testing the Dual Boot: Restart to test the dual boot setup, ensuring GRUB allows selection between Windows 11 and Ubuntu. Use Boot-Repair if issues arise.