AI uncovers 10-year-old bug where any text over 256 chars works as a valid root password

andersonbcdefg · x · 2026-11-06

Developer astuyve disclosed a shocking security flaw: any text longer than 256 characters can serve as a valid root password.

Security researcher ryxcommar noted he understands why AI is unusually good at finding use-after-free bugs, but finds it incredible that a flaw this basic — catchable by plain fuzzing — survived for 10 years. The episode highlights both AI's practical value in security auditing and how long basic testing gaps can persist.

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