Daily Tech News 8 May 2026

Top Story

There's a local privilege escalation bug that affects all recent versions of Linux. (Tom's Hardware)

No, not that one, another one. It abuses bugs in three optional kernel modules to give any local user root access.

Good news: It's relatively easy to prevent.

Bad news: It's already out in the wild even though none of the Linux distributions has had a chance to patch it yet. There's a script available that prevents the affected kernel modules from loading that blocks the exploit. Run it once and you're good - unless you depend on one of those modules and you have untrusted local users, in which case you're... Not good.
Also, there's a CPanel exploit making lives miserable, with a patch planned for 12pm EST.

Again, not that one, another one.

At least this one hasn't leaked yet.

Tech News

Motherboard sales are down by 28% because nobody an afford the memory to build a new PC. (Tom's Hardware)

Because they listened to people telling everyone not to panic-buy memory.

I didn't listen.

Now I need to buy a couple or three motherboards for the RAM I already have, and they're cheap and readily available.
A judge has rule that Nvidia's book piracy software was designed to pirate books. (Tom's Hardware)

Like other AI companies, Nvidia downloaded huge numbers of books to feed its ever-hungry models, and now is on the hook for industrial-scale copyright infringement.
Never click on anything. (The Register)

Is the response from Anthropic to the discovery of a one-click exploit if you download untrusted software into Claude Code.

The same bug affects programming tools from Google, Microsoft, and Cursor, so they're not the only idiots in the room.
You stack DRAM when it's DRAM stacking time. (WCCFTech)

Today's contestants are Samsung and SK Hynix, two of the Big Three.
The StarFighter Linux laptop has finally launched. (Liliputing)

I think I reported on this previously. It has a choice of 2560x1600 165Hz or 3840x2400 240Hz 16" displays, Intel or AMD CPUs, up to 64GB of (apparently soldered) RAM, two M.2 slots, two Thunderbolt ports, three regular USB ports, HDMI, microSD, and an audio jack.

Plus a removable webcam module - if you're concerned about privacy, you can unplug it and stick in a drawer, or in a little slot within the laptop where it can't do anything.

And the Four Essential Keys.

Price has unfortunately been hit hard by the memory shortage and ranges from $1900 to $3600 depending on configuration.
In maybe good news, Anthropic has signed a deal with SpaceX (which owns xAI, which owns X) to use the spare capacity in the latter company's datacenter in Memphis, which is, apparently, somehow, all of it. (Ars Technica)

Why good news?

Usage limits on Claude Code (which I use daily for code reviews) have been doubled at no extra cost.

Musical Interlude

The planned musical interlude appears to be holidaying in Somaliland.

We have flown in an emergency substitute interlude at the last minute and at great expense.

Also, I was today years old when I realised You're No Good was a Linda Ronstadt song.

Disclaimer: I have no idea why.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at 04:30 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 w00t

Posted by: m at May 08, 2026 04:30 AM (RtN13)

2 G'Day everyone TGIF

Posted by: Skip at May 08, 2026 04:32 AM (Ia/+0)

3 G'morning, all!

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at May 08, 2026 04:33 AM (iMotb)

4 Mornin'

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at May 08, 2026 04:34 AM (Iz+f5)

5 >>>The planned musical interlude appears to be holidaying in Somaliland.
Disclaimer: I have no idea why.

Maybe the weather is nice this time of year.

Posted by: m at May 08, 2026 04:34 AM (RtN13)

6 60.3 degrees out, with 97% RH.

Not bad weather for the morning walk.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at May 08, 2026 04:34 AM (iMotb)

7 BOING!

What's Better than The Count on Sesame Street?

AH HAHA!

https://tinyurl.com/2b73cna4

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at May 08, 2026 04:35 AM (DGD6U)

8 She started drawing at 70. Now at 99 her work is inspiring even more people:

https://tinyurl.com/462ez4p7

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at May 08, 2026 04:39 AM (PFs9e)

9 Looks like it's gonna be a bad day for Keir Starmer.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at May 08, 2026 04:41 AM (iMotb)

10 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX5UNcFUNN4

Posted by: Ray's Cyst at May 08, 2026 04:42 AM (jrgJz)

11 Looks like it's gonna be a bad day for Keir Starmer.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at May 08, 2026 04:41 AM (iMotb)
-

He really doesn't care:

https://tinyurl.com/42wjcxts

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at May 08, 2026 04:43 AM (DGD6U)

12 So, yesterday I met a lady at the park on my walk. She was named Lily, which I think is a pretty name. She told me that she usually walks when people are walking their dogs early in the morning, and she keeps the names of the people in the dogs in her phone. "Usually I'm better at remembering the names of the dogs, rather than the people.". I thought it was very nice she kept such a record. I hope to meet her again.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at May 08, 2026 04:44 AM (PFs9e)

13 Disclaimer: I'm going to say it again.

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at May 08, 2026 04:47 AM (D1E+2)

14 So I guess some type of learning platform used by students on Universities got hacked yesterday as well.

https://tinyurl.com/36se65nh

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at May 08, 2026 04:47 AM (iMotb)

15 I think my sourdough starter has lit, so, I will make some dough before work.

Posted by: Accomack at May 08, 2026 04:56 AM (CI8I+)

16 Holiday in Somaliland> Holiday in Cambodia

Posted by: Accomack at May 08, 2026 04:56 AM (CI8I+)

17 Morning, Tech Peeps

Posted by: fluffy at May 08, 2026 05:03 AM (V0/Sp)

18 >>> Holiday in Somaliland> Holiday in Cambodia

It's tough, Kid, but it's life

Posted by: Ilhan Omar at May 08, 2026 05:04 AM (V0/Sp)

19
g'mornin', 'rons

Posted by: AltonJackson at May 08, 2026 05:05 AM (8iYDv)

20 Mornin' Horde.

Pixy: Enjoy buying cheap motherboards now, because the memory drought as it wears on might knock one or more of them out of business permanently.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at May 08, 2026 05:10 AM (O7YUW)

21 >>> I think my sourdough starter has lit, so, I will make some dough before work.

Posted by: Accomack

>Just put a bunch of jo jo potatoes in the air fryer. Ketchup? Ranch? Bleu cheese? A nice change for breakfast. Leftovers for later.

Air fryer technology is pretty interesting, - how different companies interpret that sort of marketing. It all seems to work well enough.

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at May 08, 2026 05:10 AM (D1E+2)

22 >>> Also, I was today years old when I realised You're No Good was a Linda Ronstadt song.

I remember when Linda Ronstadt was cranking out hits in the mid 70s with no idea that they were cover versions.

I'll now be checking IDs to see if you are old enough to be on my lawn.

Posted by: fluffy at May 08, 2026 05:11 AM (V0/Sp)

23 Man writesChristian devotional on John 1:1-14, "The light of life":

https://tinyurl.com/4zykh8r5

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at May 08, 2026 05:14 AM (rZCVI)

24 Old time hymn- translated in tge 1800's by Edward Caswell, who was British and converted from the Anglican to the RC faith and became a priest. "When morning gilds the skies":

https://tinyurl.com/yjmuxwb7

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at May 08, 2026 05:18 AM (rZCVI)

25 Have a great day horde

Posted by: Skip at May 08, 2026 05:18 AM (Ia/+0)

26 Linda Ronstadt was cranking out hits in the mid 70s with no idea that they were cover versions.
_-_
What that lady did with a song was really something. Blue Bayou never had it so good, and that was a Roy Orbison (and Joe Melson)song...not very often that he gets bested.

Posted by: Don in SoCo at May 08, 2026 05:19 AM (EydRy)

27 Morning, Horde...How goes it?

Instructure Canvas is coming back online after it was taken offline yesterday due to a ransomware attack.

I wonder if they agreed to pay the ransom or not...

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at May 08, 2026 05:19 AM (gnNyN)

28 Best Linda Ronstadt album for my taste is Canciones de Mi Padre. My wife was about ready to strangle me, I listened to that one so much.

Posted by: Don in SoCo at May 08, 2026 05:22 AM (EydRy)

29 Morning Horde.
Years back I was arguing with someone about how good Warren Zevon was. Right I the middle of the argument Linda Ronstadt came on the radio singing "Poor , Poor , Pitiful Me". He said this is a great song. I looked at him and said "I agree, it was written by Warren Zevon". Shut him up

Posted by: Smell the Glove at May 08, 2026 05:23 AM (gu0hJ)

30 " Looks like it's gonna be a bad day for Keir Starmer."

Wonderful. But can I ask why?

Posted by: no one of any consequence at May 08, 2026 05:24 AM (qFwJc)

31 @22/fluffy: "I'll now be checking IDs to see if you are old enough to be on my lawn."

https://youtu.be/Wr6kJ4GkEsg?t=3

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at May 08, 2026 05:26 AM (O7YUW)

32 @30 Labour party got the snot kicked out of it in local elections.

Posted by: Smell the Glove at May 08, 2026 05:27 AM (gu0hJ)

33 Posted by: no one of any consequence at May 08, 2026 05:24 AM (qFwJc)

Labor lost quite a few seats. The Reform party picked up quite a few, but Starmer says he will not resign as PM

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at May 08, 2026 05:28 AM (rZCVI)

34 I haven't seen any twirling yet.

Posted by: m at May 08, 2026 05:28 AM (RtN13)

35 Can't they do something called "a vote of no confidence?"

Posted by: no one of any consequence at May 08, 2026 05:30 AM (qFwJc)

36 BBC for all your Keir Starmer needs.

Posted by: m at May 08, 2026 05:30 AM (RtN13)

37 A Labour Mp texted "you're wrong it's not carnage. It's f**king carnage"

Posted by: Smell the Glove at May 08, 2026 05:32 AM (gu0hJ)

38 Why would any politician resign, unless they were going to jail? It's all about the gravy train. Chew, chew!

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at May 08, 2026 05:33 AM (D1E+2)

39 He said this is a great song. I looked at him and said "I agree, it was written by Warren Zevon".
_-_
Yep. Interesting how a song takes on another life when somebody other than the author records it. I'll have to go back and give Warren Zevon a closer listen. Don't remember any from him orher than that one and Werewolves of London.

Posted by: Don in SoCo at May 08, 2026 05:33 AM (EydRy)

40 Good morning, one and all. Coffee is being consumed and soon I will be putting an English Muffin into the toaster.

Posted by: NR Pax at May 08, 2026 05:34 AM (RjOoY)

41 BBC on the numbers:

So far, Labour has lost control of eight councils and Reform has won about 400 seats - but many counts are yet to begin.

Posted by: m at May 08, 2026 05:34 AM (RtN13)

42 Time for the morning walk.

BBIAB

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at May 08, 2026 05:35 AM (iMotb)

43 Oh yea, another David Trone ad. He's vile. I loath the guy and he isn't even in my state. He's in Soviet MD, not Soviet VA. A lump of radioactive roadkill would be a better congresscritter than Trone.

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at May 08, 2026 05:43 AM (rRMBj)

44 Can't they do something called "a vote of no confidence?"
Posted by: no one of any consequence at May 08, 2026 05:30 AM (qFwJc)

If I understand the UK political system, and that's only about 50-50, they can call a confidence vote but, if they do and he loses, the opposition can call a general election for Parliament, which Labour would lose, but which otherwise won't occur for a few more years.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at May 08, 2026 05:48 AM (ExV1e)

45 Well, so much for that.

Stomach is suggesting that I remain at home for the time being.

As for David Trone...

The creator of the Total Wine empire.
Gun hater.
Convinced that he was placed on this earth to rule our lives according to his progressive beliefs.

And entitled....oh so entitled.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at May 08, 2026 05:48 AM (iMotb)

46 On the plus side, we did get .58 inch of desperately needed rain yesterday.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at May 08, 2026 05:50 AM (iMotb)

47 My new LG oven has an air fryer setting which is just the convection fan.
Johnny Cash’s cover of Devil’s Right Hand might be my favorite Cash song.

Posted by: Accomack at May 08, 2026 05:53 AM (77Bgk)

48 From NY Post: the leaders of some pretty well-known IT company wrote to their employees:
“That means we have to be intentional in how we architect our company for the agentic AI era”
I didn't know there were people out there who use this kind of pretentious and wooden language.

Posted by: PG at May 08, 2026 05:53 AM (rXzFk)

49 It's Friday, it's Friday! Happy, happy Friday!

*twirl*

Posted by: Rosasharn at May 08, 2026 05:55 AM (PzBTm)

50 Convinced that he was placed on this earth to rule our lives according to his progressive beliefs.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice

"My ideas are so perfect I have to force them on you."

Posted by: NR Pax at May 08, 2026 05:59 AM (RjOoY)

51 Even if a vote of no confidence was called in Westminster, Labour has such a large majority that vote would fail.

Starmer has obviously taken the pulse of his party, and other than some Jeremy Corbyn loyalists who despise him, he believes he still has enough support, for now, to remain Prime Minister.

However, Starmer's position is becoming untenable.
If the economy suffers more over the price of oil & national gas which may send inflation higher, he may have no choice but to resign in the near future.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at May 08, 2026 06:03 AM (6ydKt)

52
If the economy suffers more over the price of oil & national gas which may send inflation higher, he may have no choice but to resign in the near future.
Posted by: SpeakingOf at May 08, 2026 06:03 AM (6ydKt)

If he resigns, he'll be replaced by some other Labour lunatic who'll likely be even worse.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at May 08, 2026 06:05 AM (HdYcL)

53 >>Usage limits on Claude Code (which I use daily for code reviews)

looks like another bitter AI sceptic has fallen lmao

Posted by: juicer at May 08, 2026 06:07 AM (zMGqF)

54 I need to change the oil in the RV genset. How the heck did “Onan” become a brand name? I invariably spill some 10-30 oil on the ground when doing an oil change; could that be it?
Now I have a ZZ Top earbug (guess which song).

Posted by: Fenderbender at May 08, 2026 06:08 AM (1FEc1)

55 Tea. Earl Grey. Hot.

Rejoinder: You know what you did.

Posted by: Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea at May 08, 2026 06:08 AM (xvhJH)

56 I'll have to go back and give Warren Zevon a closer listen. Don't remember any from him orher than that one and Werewolves of London.
Posted by: Don in SoCo at May 08, 2026 05:33 AM (EydRy)
-----------
Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner
Money, Guns and Lawyers

Posted by: Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea at May 08, 2026 06:10 AM (xvhJH)

57
That means we have to be intentional in how we architect our company for the agentic AI era”

*shuts eyes*
*waves hands*
*screams*

"Architect" as a verb? Really? The End Times are upon us!

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at May 08, 2026 06:10 AM (HdYcL)

58 If he resigns, he'll be replaced by some other Labour lunatic who'll likely be even worse.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at May 08, 2026 06:05 AM (HdYcL)

Their bench is not impressive at all.
This may be the final time the UK has a Labour PM.
Whoever they replace Starmer with, eventually, will not be better and probably will be worse.

If the trend continues, Labour will be on the same level as the Greens and Liberal Democrats in numbers.
The Conservatives aren't far behind them.

It's really Farage and Reform UK's race to lose in the next general election (whenever that comes).
And now they've got Rupert Lowe and Restore Britain nipping at their heels.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at May 08, 2026 06:14 AM (6ydKt)

59 G'mornin' everyone!

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at May 08, 2026 06:14 AM (VyBeY)

60 untrusted local users

What're you trying to say here, Pixy? Is the Horde... untrustworthy? 😉

Posted by: pookysgirl thinks she's trustworthy at May 08, 2026 06:18 AM (Wt5PA)

61 Evening and morning, all! 'Tis Friday at last, the consummation devoutly to be wished!

If the video was from January 1975, I suspect that was Linda performing on the Midnight Special show on NBC. That was on Friday nights, I think, with Tom Snyder on Tomorrow Mon-Thurs. SNL had not yet started (?), so I have no idea what was on late nights on Sat. & Sun. in those days.

Age, showing, lawn, off, etc.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at May 08, 2026 06:21 AM (wzUl9)

62
If the trend continues, Labour will be on the same level as the Greens and Liberal Democrats in numbers.

Interesting to witness the death of two parties, Labour and Conservatives, who have dominated the political scene for the last century. The last party to undergo electoral annihilation in the UK was the Liberals in 1918-1924.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at May 08, 2026 06:22 AM (HdYcL)

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