Linux server worm exploits known flaw
C|Net | at | by Mike
A worm spreading among Linux servers late Friday takes advantage of a flaw discovered more than a month ago in a program designed to strengthen the privacy of Internet communications. Designated "Linux.Slapper.Worm" by security firm Symantec, the self-replicating program may have originated in Europe and threatens Linux servers that offer an encryption feature known as Secure Sockets Layer, the standard method for encrypting sensitive Web traffic, through a common extension to the open-source Apache Web server. "At this time over 3,500 computers have been observed performing this activity," said Symantec in its advisory.