Linux has announced that it will disable Microsoft's RNDIS drivers in 2026. This protocol, used to connect devices via USB, is considered insecure by design. The decision will affect older phones and network adapters, but aims to protect users from vulnerabilities. Safer alternatives exist, prioritizing protection over compatibility with outdated equipment.
RNDIS: a vulnerable protocol that Linux will leave behind 🔒
RNDIS (Remote Network Driver Interface Specification) allows USB devices to act as network interfaces. However, its design does not include authentication or encryption mechanisms, exposing the system to attacks such as packet injection or buffer overflows. The Linux development community has chosen to remove these drivers, urging the use of standard protocols like CDC Ethernet or NCM, which are more robust and audited.
Goodbye RNDIS: your old USB router is going to the museum 😅
If you still have that 2005 USB network adapter you used to connect your laptop to the Internet, bad news: Linux will force you to upgrade. But don't cry, think positive: now you'll have a perfect excuse not to lend that cable to your brother-in-law. Of course, make sure you don't have a Windows Phone hidden in a drawer, because it could become a functional but insecure museum piece.