Ubuntu

fork-bombs still possible?

Asked by Mr. Captcha

It seems that there is no limit for "max user processes" by default. So Fork-Bombs [1] are still possible. They are used by M$-Junkies to show that there are still problems with linux. Please fix it in /etc/security/limits.conf by default.

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fork_bomb

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Bernhard (b.a.koenig) said : 		#1

Maybe this should be filed as a bug...

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A. Denton (aquina) said : 		#2

The thing with limits is known to us for a long time now, but it requires more than a Wikipedia article to discuss that in detail.

Furthermore the problem with limiting is that every single user has different demands which each must be satisfied seperately. Ther is no "fits-all-needs" configuration regarding limits.conf. Additionally even strict limits will not solve the problem with fork bombing in general. You need to secure your system on a different layer first.

In case you run a server you can/should adjust your limits at least a bit. I advise you to excessively test your configuration though.

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A. Denton (aquina) said : 		#3

Is the problem yet solved?

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A. Denton (aquina) said : 		#4

Unfortunately I do not have the powers to change the state of this question to SOLVED, EXPIRED or INVALID. Someone here at Launchpad either grant me that permission or simply apply the change in state to this question, please.

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