Can't see/access external drives in sys-usb

User Support General
1

I have just updated to Qubes 4.3.

When I plug an external USB drive into the laptop, it no longer shows up in the file browser in sys-usb to access its contents, as I was with Qubes 4.2

The only way I seem to be able to access is to connect it to an AppVM

sys-usb is using Fedora 43 XFCE template but I have also tried debian 13 xfce

Is this how 4.3 is supposed to behave?

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2

Is the right usb controller assigned to sys-usb?
What does lsusb and lsblk have to say?
How about running a mount command inside sys-usb?

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3

Yes.

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4

thank you! interesting design choice.

5

There is another possible view of this change…

If devices claiming to be disk or storage are attached to sys-usb and drivers are installed, then there is an increase of risk that sys-usb gets owned by an attacker who can provide you with a usb device, or who can exploit some weakness of sys-usb USB stack. Then, all your USB is belong to the bad guy.

I cannot say how big this risk is, but I think it is not zero, except if you only use 100.00000% trusted USB storage devices, and only connect them to equally trusted external computers.

Better to only attach to a disposable qube, and let that get owned.

At least, that is my way to see things - an enhancement, not an annoyance!

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