March 28, 2016 By Larry Loeb 2 min read

Samba is an open-source implementation of the Server Message Block/Common Internet File System (SMB/CIFS) protocol. It’s used in Windows for network file and printer sharing. Not only that, but Linux and other Unix-like systems can use Samba to work with and share resources with Windows systems. It’s a major data path that many systems rely on, but a recent reveal may put it in jeopardy.

“On April 12, 2016, SerNet, the Samba Team and Microsoft will disclose a severe bug that affects almost all versions of Microsoft Windows and Samba,” SerNet announced on its website. “The bug is called Badlock. Due to the fundamental functions that are affected by the bug, there will be no detailed information prior to the release of fixes by Microsoft and the Samba Team.”

Where Are the Particulars of the SMB Protocol Flaw?

SerNet asked its readers for unconditional trust without presenting corresponding information. It stated that this severe bug was found by a core Samba developer but did not give any further information on what it is exactly or how companies can defend against it.

Are users to now wait attentively for SerNet to reveal more of this impending doom of the SMB protocol? How do we even know that this bug exists in the first place without particulars?

Microsoft hasn’t said anything about the flaw — yet — but it likely would keep quiet until it had a patch ready. As for SerNet, it did add that its developer “notified Microsoft about his findings, and a consecutive strong collaboration led to fixes for both platforms. Patches are currently reviewed and prepared for release, including SerNet’s special SAMBA+ offering.”

Why Do It This Way?

SerNet may have a reason to announce the existence of a vulnerability before releasing the details, but that reason certainly isn’t obvious.

Such a policy only adds to the noise associated with the vulnerability without giving any signal as to the mediation of it. Worse, the simple act of announcement can draw the attention of the cybercrime community, which would unsurprisingly move quickly to act before a patch is released — if they can find out what the flaw is.

More from

Cyberattack on American Water: A warning to critical infrastructure

3 min read - American Water, the largest publicly traded United States water and wastewater utility, recently experienced a cybersecurity incident that forced the company to disconnect key systems, including its customer billing platform. As the company’s investigation continues, there are growing concerns about the vulnerabilities that persist in the water sector, which has increasingly become a target for cyberattacks. The breach is a stark reminder of the critical infrastructure risks that have long plagued the industry. While the water utility has confirmed that…

What’s behind unchecked CVE proliferation, and what to do about it

4 min read - The volume of Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) has reached staggering levels, placing immense pressure on organizations' cyber defenses. According to SecurityScorecard, there were 29,000 vulnerabilities recorded in 2023, and by mid-2024, nearly 27,500 had already been identified.Meanwhile, Coalition's 2024 Cyber Threat Index forecasts that the total number of CVEs for 2024 will hit 34,888—a 25% increase compared to the previous year. This upward trend presents a significant challenge for organizations trying to manage vulnerabilities and mitigate potential exploits.What’s behind…

Quishing: A growing threat hiding in plain sight

4 min read - Our mobile devices go everywhere we go, and we can use them for almost anything. For businesses, the accessibility of mobile devices has also made it easier to create more interactive ways to introduce new products and services while improving user experiences across different industries. Quick-response (QR) codes are a good example of this in action and help mobile devices quickly navigate to web pages or install new software by simply scanning an image.However, legitimate organizations aren’t the only ones…

Topic updates

Get email updates and stay ahead of the latest threats to the security landscape, thought leadership and research.
Subscribe today