bash

Setting up strongSwan on Ubuntu 22.04 and 24.04 with NetworkManager

 in Bash / GNU/Linux  tagged bash / GNU/Linux / network manager / strongswan / ubuntu / vpn by

For Ubuntu users who need to configure strongSwan (an open-source IPsec VPN solution) using NetworkManager on Ubuntu 22.04 or 24.04, simply installing the network-manager-strongswan package is not sufficient. Additional plugins and libraries are required to enable full functionality for various VPN configurations, including advanced authentication methods and protocol support.

Required Packages

To ensure strongSwan works seamlessly with NetworkManager, install the following packages:

  1. network-manager-strongswan: This package integrates strongSwan into NetworkManager, allowing you to manage VPN connections using a graphical user interface (GUI). It adds support for IKEv2/IPsec VPNs.
  2. libcharon-extra-plugins: This package provides additional plugins for strongSwan’s IKE daemon (charon), extending its functionality to handle different encryption algorithms, key exchange mechanisms, and advanced authentication protocols.
  3. libstrongswan-extra-plugins: These extra plugins offer support for more cryptographic algorithms and authentication methods, enhancing compatibility with various VPN configurations. This includes EAP-based methods commonly used in VPN setups.

Step-by-Step Installation

To install the necessary packages, follow these steps:

  1. Update the package list to ensure you have the latest versions available:
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sudo apt update
  1. Install the strongSwan NetworkManager plugin along with the extra plugin packages:
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sudo apt install network-manager-strongswan libcharon-extra-plugins libstrongswan-extra-plugins
  1. Restart NetworkManager to apply the changes:
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sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager

Configuring a VPN Connection

Once the necessary packages are installed and NetworkManager has been restarted, you can proceed to configure a VPN connection using the GUI:

  1. Open Settings → Network.
  2. Click the + button next to the VPN section.
  3. Select IPSec/IKEv2 (strongSwan) from the list of available VPN types.
  4. Enter the required connection details, including the server address, username, password, and any pre-shared keys or certificates as provided by your VPN provider.

For advanced VPN configurations, you may also need to specify custom encryption settings or certificate paths under the Advanced settings in the VPN configuration window.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues connecting to the VPN, you can check the system logs for more detailed information:

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sudo journalctl -xe
sudo journalctl -u NetworkManager

These logs may provide insight into common issues, such as authentication failures, certificate problems, or configuration mismatches.

Conclusion

To successfully configure and use strongSwan VPNs with NetworkManager on Ubuntu 22.04 and 24.04, you must install three key packages: network-manager-strongswan, libcharon-extra-plugins, and libstrongswan-extra-plugins. These packages extend the capabilities of strongSwan, providing compatibility with a wide range of VPN configurations, cryptographic algorithms, and authentication methods.

By ensuring these packages are installed and properly configured, you can easily manage your strongSwan VPN connections through the Ubuntu NetworkManager GUI.

bash script to remove the word ‘DALL·E’ from all filenames 1

 in Bash / GNU/Linux  tagged bash / rename by

To remove the word “DALL-E” from all filenames in a directory, you can use a bash script with rename (or mmv if rename isn’t available on your system). Here is a simple bash script to achieve this:

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# Iterate over all files in the current directory
for file in *DALL·E*; do
  # Remove 'DALL·E' from the filename
  new_file=$(echo "$file" | sed 's/DALL·E//g')
  # Rename the file
  mv "$file" "$new_file"
done
 
echo "Renaming completed."

Explanation:

  1. for file in *DALL·E*; do: This loop iterates over all files in the current directory that contain the word “DALL·E”.
  2. new_file=$(echo "$file" | sed 's/DALL-E//g'): This line uses sed to remove the word “DALL·E” from the filename. The s/DALL-E//g pattern tells sed to replace “DALL·E” with nothing, effectively removing it.
  3. mv "$file" "$new_file": This renames the original file to the new filename.
  4. done: This marks the end of the loop.
  5. echo "Renaming completed.": This prints a message indicating that the renaming process is complete.

Usage:

  1. Save the script to a file, for example, rename_files.sh.
  2. Make the script executable:
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chmod +x rename_files.sh
  1. Run the script in the directory where you want to rename the files:
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./rename_files.sh

This will rename all files in the current directory by removing the word “DALL·E” from their filenames.

Enhancing KeePassXC with YubiKey on Ubuntu: Enabling the Raw-USB Interface

 in GNU/Linux  tagged bash / GNU/Linux / raw-usb / snap / ubuntu / usb / yubikey by

In digital security, combining hardware-based authentication devices like YubiKey with robust password management solutions such as KeePassXC represents a gold standard. YubiKey provides a physical, secure element for two-factor authentication, significantly enhancing security over traditional password-only systems. KeePassXC, a free and open-source password manager, allows users to manage their passwords securely. However, when running KeePassXC as a Snap package on Ubuntu, users may encounter an unexpected hurdle due to Snap’s inherent security and isolation features. This post aims to guide you through enabling your YubiKey hardware to work seamlessly with KeePassXC installed via Snap by manually allowing the raw-usb to interface.

Understanding the Challenge

Snap, a package management and deployment system developed by Canonical, allows for the consistent, secure distribution and installation of applications across different Linux distributions. Snap packages are containerized to ensure isolation from the rest of the system, enhancing security by restricting the application’s access to the host system’s resources and hardware interfaces.

While these isolation features benefit security, they can also impose limitations. Specifically, for KeePassXC users wishing to utilize a YubiKey for added security, Snap’s default restrictions prevent the application from accessing the USB hardware directly. This is where the raw-usb interface comes into play.

The raw-usb Interface

The raw-usb interface in Snap allows a snap-packaged application to communicate with USB hardware directly, bypassing the usual restrictions. By enabling this interface for KeePassXC, the application can interact with your YubiKey, utilizing it for secure two-factor authentication.

Step-by-Step Guide to Enabling the raw-usb Interface

  1. Open Your Terminal: First, access your terminal. You can do this by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T on your keyboard or searching for “Terminal” in your applications menu.
  2. Execute the Command: In the terminal, type the following command:
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sudo snap connect "keepassxc:raw-usb" "core:raw-usb"

This command instructs your system to enable the raw-usb interface specifically for KeePassXC. Here’s a breakdown of the command:

  • sudo: This prefix grants administrative (superuser) permissions for the operation, which is necessary for modifying system-wide settings.
  • snap connect: This is the command to link a Snap package to a specific interface.
  • "keepassxc:raw-usb": Specifies the KeePassXC snap package and the raw-usb interface within it.
  • "core:raw-usb": Refers to the raw-usb interface the core Snap provides, which grants access to USB devices.
  1. Enter Your Password: After entering the command, you’ll be prompted to enter your password. This is the password you use to log in to your Ubuntu account. Since you’re executing a command with sudo, your password is required to confirm that you have the necessary permissions to make system-level changes.
  2. Confirmation: If successful, you won’t see a detailed message; the lack of error messages typically indicates that the operation was successful. You’ve now enabled KeePassXC to access USB devices directly.

Testing the Configuration

After enabling the raw-usb interface, launch KeePassXC and attempt to use your YubiKey as part of your two-factor authentication setup. If everything is configured correctly, KeePassXC should recognize your YubiKey without any issues.

Conclusion

The security of your digital life is paramount in an era where online threats are increasingly sophisticated. By integrating YubiKey with KeePassXC on Ubuntu, you significantly enhance your digital security posture. The process of enabling the raw-usb interface for KeePassXC, while a bit technical, is a small step with significant benefits for your security setup. It exemplifies the balance between security and usability, allowing you to leverage cutting-edge security hardware without compromising on the convenience and ease of use offered by modern Linux distributions and applications.

Upgrade O.MG Cable Firmware in Ubuntu GNU/Linux

 in Bash / GNU/Linux  tagged bash / Firmware / flash / GNU/Linux / O.MG / O.MG Cable / ubuntu by

The O.MG Cable is a popular tool for security professionals and enthusiasts, offering a covert way to gain access to a target device. To ensure its optimal performance and take advantage of new features and security enhancements, it’s important to keep the firmware up to date. In this blog post, we will guide you through the process of upgrading the firmware of an O.MG Cable on a GNU/Linux Ubuntu system using a set of simple commands.

Step 1: Installing pySerial

The first step is to install the pySerial library, which allows communication with serial ports. Open a terminal and execute the following command:

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sudo pip3 install pyserial;

This command will install pySerial and its dependencies on your system. You may be prompted to enter your password to proceed with the installation.

Step 2: Cloning the O.MG-Firmware Repository

Next, we need to obtain the O.MG-Firmware repository from GitHub. Change to the desired directory in the terminal and execute the following command:

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git clone https://github.com/O-MG/O.MG-Firmware;

This command will create a local copy of the O.MG-Firmware repository on your machine.

Step 3: Navigating to the O.MG-Firmware Directory

Change into the newly created O.MG-Firmware directory by running the following command:

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cd O.MG-Firmware/;

This command ensures that you are in the correct directory to proceed with the firmware upgrade.

Step 4: Plugging in the O.MG Cable

Before flashing the firmware, plug in the O.MG Cable to your computer’s USB port. Ensure that the cable is properly connected and recognized by the system.

Step 5: Flashing the Firmware

To initiate the firmware upgrade process, execute the following command:

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sudo python3 ./flash.py;

This command triggers the firmware flashing script using Python 3 and grants it the necessary privileges to access the USB port. You may be prompted to enter your password.

You will see progress updates and notifications on the terminal during the flashing process. Do not disconnect or interrupt the cable while the firmware is being flashed.

Once the flashing process completes, the O.MG Cable will install the latest firmware, ensuring optimal performance and security.

Conclusion: In this blog post, we provided a step-by-step guide on upgrading the firmware of an O.MG Cable on a GNU/Linux Ubuntu system. By following these commands, you can keep your O.MG Cable up to date, benefit from new features, and enhance its security. Remember to exercise caution during the firmware flashing process and avoid interrupting it. Enjoy exploring the capabilities of your upgraded O.MG Cable!