Mmastodon TechnologyTechnology first seen 5 h ago, last 1 h ago, peak #8

A hidden Fibonacci computation found inside macOS top command

Original: A parasitic Fibonacci computation inside /usr/bin/top https://seriot.ch/computation/terminfo/ # HackerNews # Tech # Prog

Security researcher Nicolas Seriot documents how the terminfo library can trigger a parasitic Fibonacci computation inside /usr/bin/top on Unix systems. The write-up walks through how a malformed terminfo entry causes the top utility to waste cycles on recursive calculation, highlighting an obscure but surprising performance and stability pitfall buried in a core system tool.

Why now: The discovery that a standard system utility can be tricked into running hidden recursive computation is striking to programmers and security-minded readers.

Nicolas Seriot/usr/bin/topterminfomacOS

Open on mastodon →

Rank over time, top of the chart is #1. 5 snapshots from 5 h ago to 1 h ago.

Evidence

• A parasitic Fibonacci computation inside /usr/bin/top https://seriot.ch/computation/terminfo/ # HackerNews # Tech # Programming · hackernews@robot.villas · 3

API: https://socialmediatrends-api.osmike.com/v1/trends/1014765