Kubuntu Focus: Security Tools Guided Solution

Ubuntu Pro

What Is Ubuntu Pro

Ubuntu Pro is a subscription service which provides an extra layer of security and compliance features to Ubuntu LTS derivatives like Kubuntu. Features such as Extended Security Maintenance (ESM) and LivePatching provide the greatest benefit in long-lived server environments.

Support Policy

Kubuntu Focus DOES NOT SUPPORT the use of Ubuntu Pro with free support. Focus customers with a paid MSP contract, however, can choose Pro support for their servers or fleets.

Disable Terminal Messages

When upgrading packages from the CLI, you might see a message like the following, encouraging you to enable Ubuntu Pro:

#> Get more security updates through Ubuntu Pro with 'esm-apps' enabled: #> libimage-magick-perl imagemagick...

You can toggle the message as shown below:

# Disable terminal messages sudo dpkg-divert --divert /var/lib/kfocus/esm-redirect.conf --rename /etc/apt/apt.conf.d/20apt-esm-hook.conf # Enable terminal messages sudo dpkg-divert --rename --remove /etc/apt/apt.conf.d/20apt-esm-hook.conf

Check Ubuntu Pro Status

In a terminal, type pro status. If you see This machine is not attached to an Ubuntu Pro subscription, then Ubuntu Pro is NOT enabled.

Disable All of Ubuntu Pro

If you have enabled Ubuntu Pro and upgraded your system thereafter, rolling back can be difficult. For example, using ppa-purge to remove the two Pro repositories reportedly removes important system files. If you are using a 24.04 LTS (Noble) system with BTRFS, you may be able to restore your system to its previous state using System Rollback. Otherwise, it's probably best to back up your data and perform a clean install. Below is a non-exhaustive list of steps you might need to do otherwise:

Find all ESM packages: apt list --installed |grep -- '-esm'
Find the non-ESM versions of all affected packages: apt-cache policy ffmpeg
Disable esm-apps
Disable Livepatch
Disable esm-infra
Manually downgrade every ESM package
Remove the Livepatch Snap
Delete the pin files in /etc/apt/preferences
Detach Pro from your system

Full Disk Encryption

Change Passphrase

When you first receive your Kubuntu Focus system with disk encryption, the system disk passphrase is printed in the Quick Start Guide. Visit the Welcome Wizard to change the passphrase using a GUI. Whenever you change the passphrase, type it carefully and keep a copy somewhere safe because THERE IS NO WAY TO RECOVER THE DISK PASSPHRASE IF IT IS LOST!

You can also change the passphrase using the command line as shown below:

# /dev/nvme0n1p3 is used as an example. # The actual device may vary. sudo cryptsetup luksChangeKey /dev/nvme0n1p3; #> Enter passphrase to be changed: #> Enter new passphrase: #> Verify passphrase:

View Key Slots

One key slot is used for normal encryption; a second slot is used when using a YubiKey. Typically, slot 0 is your passphrase, and slot 1 is used by the Yubikey. (On 22.04 LTS (Jammy) systems, slot 1 is used by a randomly generated string created by the installer, and is not usually useful. On such systems, the Yubikey uses slot 2.) You may see all the slots, find the one using your passphrase, and carefully remove slots by using:

# List slots in use sudo cryptsetup luksDump /dev/nvme0n1p3 |grep -E ' *^s*[0-9]: luks2'; #> 0: luks2 #> 1: luks2 # Find slot for a passphrase sudo cryptsetup luksOpen --test-passphrase -v /dev/nvme0n1p3 #> Enter passphrase for /dev/nvme0n1p3: #> Enter passphrase for /dev/nvme0n1p3: #> Key slot 0 unlocked. #> ... # Remove a slot not in use (CAREFUL!) sudo cryptsetup -v luksKillSlot /dev/nvme0n1p3 1; #> Keyslot 1 is selected for deletion. #> Enter any remaining passphrase: #> Key slot 0 unlocked. #> Key slot 1 removed. #> Command successful.

Make sure your data is backed up before changing or removing keys. Use the luksDump command as shown above to ensure the slot has been removed.

Add a New Passphrase

# Add a new key to a LUKS parition sudo cryptsetup luksAddKey /dev/nvme0n1p3

YubiKey

If you purchased a pre-configured YubiKey you won't need this, except to change your disk encryption passphrase. You can view the YubiKey documentation here.

1. Setup

# Become the root user sudo -i; # Confirm the encrypted partition ls /dev/nvme0n1p3; # Find an open LUKS key slot # Slots 1-7 show as open cryptsetup luksDump /dev/nvme0n1p3;

2. Install Necessary Packages

apt install yubikey-luks

3. Configure YubiKey

Insert the YubiKey into a USB port. The center LED should flash once. It will not stay illuminated. As you use the key, the LED will flash under other circumstances.

ykpersonalize -2 -ochal-resp \ -ochal-hmac -ohmac-lt64 -oserial-api-visible; #> #> Firmware version 5.2.4 Touch level 1283 Program sequence 3 #> #> Configuration data to be written to key configuration 1: #> #> fixed: m: #> uid: n/a #> key: h:50d779456fb7325fd91f2c543092b5178c4174cd #> acc_code: h:000000000000 #> OATH IMF: h:0 #> ticket_flags: CHAL_RESP #> config_flags: CHAL_HMAC|HMAC_LT64 #> extended_flags: SERIAL_API_VISIBLE # #> Commit? (y/n) [n]: y

4. Create Config File (Optional)

The default /etc/ykluks.cfg file should be fine. However, you may customize it as you see fit.

5. Save LUKS Config to Key Slot

Enroll your YubiKey to a LUKS slot:

# Enroll to slot 1. # If taken, try the next slot with -s 2 yubikey-luks-enroll -d /dev/nvme0n1p3 -s 1; #> setting disk to /dev/nvme0n1p3. #> setting slot to 1. #> This script will utilize slot 1 on drive /dev/nvme0n1p3. If this is not what you intended, exit now! #> Adding yubikey to initrd #> Please insert a yubikey and enter a new password. This is the password that will only work while your yubikey is installed in your computer. **************** #> Please enter the yubikey password again: **************** #> You may now be prompted for an existing passphrase. This is NOT the passphrase you just entered, this is the passphrase that you currently use to unlock your LUKS encrypted drive. #> Enter any existing passphrase:

Enter an EXISTING disk passphrase.

6. Modify Crypt Table

Modify /etc/crypttab to include the keyscript option as shown. IMPORTANT! THE DISK UUID YOU SEE WILL BE DIFFERENT - USE THAT, NOT THIS EXAMPLE! Also, make sure the entry is on a single line in the file, even if it wraps in the codeblock below.

nvme0n1p3_crypt UUID=98cfc3a4-dfd8-4cb4-8016-a3a62649d5a0 none luks,keyscript=/usr/share/yubikey-luks/ykluks-keyscript,discard

You can verify or recover the UUID by using lsblk --fs |grep 'crypto_LUKS' and then using the uuid of the correct volume. The partition for standard installations is typically /dev/nvme0n1p3.

7. Update System RAM Disk

# update the initial Ramdisk # Append `-k all` to update all kernels. # update-initramfs -u;

8. Reboot and Test

Reboot and insert YubiKey on the initial passphrase screen to test your password. You should be able to use your YubiKey passphrase or your regular passphrase. We suggest you always keep the first passphrase but ensure it is long and complex. This provides a method to use the system even if you lose your YubiKey. Always store your passphrases securely.

Kleopatra

Kleopatra is a certificate manager and a universal crypto GUI. It supports managing X.509 and OpenPGP certificates in the GpgSM keybox and retrieving certificates from LDAP servers.

Secure Shell & VPN

Secure Shell (SSH) is a versatile tool. One can use it for remote access, port forwarding, tunneling, and secure file transfers. SSH is supported by many graphical tools. For example, the Dolphin file manager can use SFTP for secure file transfers. The system provides an annotated default configuration in .ssh/config for all new users.

The popular Virtual Private Network client, OpenVPN, is pre-installed on Focus systems. Many other VPN clients are available by their developers. To provide secrets to the Fortinet VPN client, see this section of the Password Management Guided Solution.

Manage keys and certificates with Kleopatra.

Troubleshooting

Content will be added as needed.

Revisions

This is a partial revision history. See the git repository for all entries.

2025-04-19 274c0ff1 Add syntax for codeblocks, update grammar and content per audit
2025-04-01 03f81772 Audit for recent capabilities
2025-03-18 4be6b038 Secure disk encypted passphrase
2024-11-19 1b2dd268 Fix minor typos
2024-09-10 73fcff02 More lightbox updates
2024-08-19 57a2389d Add white theme
2024-08-02 e9d2559c Many Lightbox updates
2024-08-01 45251c42 Add lightbox views, refresh content
2024-07-28 ee7b4601 Update metadata content, collapsable sections, lightbox
2024-07-26 7814a97d Sync primary images between guided solutions slideshow and articles
2024-07-16 1a734154 Further updates for Noble ISO release
2024-06-06 cb308014 Update for Noble
2024-03-19 627b3225 Add syntax highlighting for codeblocks
2023-11-20 3fc7cb1f Expand Ubuntu Pro details
2023-11-18 e770b1c6 Add search and help bar
2023-06-27 e4a03c44 Include cross-over section on passwords
2023-06-26 b8a2a1c3 Add link for Fortinet secrets
2023-06-16 e256ff30 Add Ubuntu Pro section
2023-06-16 d70a49d8 Update LUKS key info
2023-04-26 d70a49d8 Add Ir14 details
2022-07-25 37da0b4f Enhance YubiKey directions
2021-10-10 5728326e Reformat to 2-column
2021-09-22 dc862884 Update link and headline colors
2021-08-23 681261b4 Review and update codeblocks
2021-08-20 ca2282bf Add YubiKey details
2021-03-13 e0214298 Update YubiKey; Add autoremove advice
2020-06-10 c4ed9299 Restructure layout
2020-06-08 a963ce3f First publication

Disclaimer

We try hard to provide a useful solution validated by professionals. However, we cannot anticipate every situation, and therefore cannot guarantee this procedure will work for your needs. Always backup your data and test the solution to determine the correct procedure for you.

THIS SOLUTION IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS “AS IS” AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT OWNER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOLUTION, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.

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