Comment by codedokode
14 hours ago
How do you sandbox /proc by the way? So that the app doesn't crash due to missing /proc/self/exe link or /proc/ID/stat file, but cannot read my private information (like /proc/cmdline, /proc/mounts etc)? Things like bind mounts do not work on /proc.
I ended up with writing a FUSE-based emulation in Python, but there are lot of issues with permissions and namespaces:
- I could run my /proc emulator in the same PID namespace as the target, but in a different mount namespace so that I can mount real /proc there. This is not safe because the target could send signals or ptrace my emulator and gain access to the real /proc. Especially if it is an AI agent, they are pretty capable.
- I could run the emulator in a different mount and PID namespaces but then the emulator needs to translate PIDs into the target namespace, and for this I need to know the format of all files and where they contain PIDs and it is a pain
- running the poorly coded emulator as a root is not an option. The sandbox must work without root.
- ideally the emulator should run as a different user because Linux provides the strongest isolation for processes of different users, but in this case I won't be able to access target's /proc entries.
Also, running a program is the most basic functionality of an OS and you suggest that I need to write my own sandbox to do this because it is not included with Linux. Maybe that is why this year still is not the year of Linux on desktop.
> Also, running a program is the most basic functionality of an OS and you suggest that I need to write my own sandbox to do this because it is not included with Linux. Maybe that is why this year still is not the year of Linux on desktop.
I'm saying other OSs are worse for sandboxing.
How would you achieve what you want on MacOS or Windows? (or others?), what do you think goes on behind the scenes?
I would set up a VM if i were that paranoid btw. Qemu, docker, deploy the container to it, vnc or gpu access.
Also, one question for you, since you brought up microphone, how do you defend from Microsoft/Google/Apple deciding to spy on you and access the microphone? (secret court order or who knows why in the future)
It doesn't matter how bad is Windows or Mac because I do not use them.
Apple might have something made for the government. They are very cooperative and routinely remove VPN apps from the repository at the request of Russian government, probably they will happily cooperate with US government as well.
> how do you defend from Microsoft/Google/Apple deciding to spy on you
My smartphone is in airplane mode since purchase and doesn't have a SIM card. I am considering options to port an open-souce firmware like Lineage OS, patch proprietary firmware or make mix of both. However to do this I need a realistic emulator that cannot be easily detected and that emulates at least some of phone hardware so that I can see what the programs try to do and where they try to connect to. Obviously there will be no Google services and similar software, mostly open-source apps from F-Droid.
As for computer, I use Linux so I guess I am relatively safe.
Allright, so since you're using Linux and alternatives are worse... what's there to complain about?
why not put that effort into improving stuff / finding solutions?