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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

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Is xz 5.6.1-3+ still dangerous? (lemmy.ml)

submitted 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) by GolfNovemberUniform@lemmy.ml to c/linux@lemmy.ml

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When the xz backdoor was discovered, I quickly uninstalled my Arch based setup with an infected version of the software and switched to a distro that shipped an older version (5.5 or 5.4 or something). I found an article which said that in 5.6.1-3 the backdoor was "fixed" by just not letting the malware part communicating with the vulnerable ssh related stuff and the actual malware is still there? (I didn't understand 80% of the technical terms and abbreviations in it ok?) Like it still sounds kinda dangerous to me, especially since many experts say that we don't know the other ways this malware can use (except for the ssh supply chain) yet. Is it true? Should I stick with the new distro for now or can I absolutely safely switch back and finally say that I use Arch btw again?

P. S. I do know that nothing is completely safe. Here I'm asking just about xz and libxzlk or whatever the name of that library is

EDIT: 69 upvotes. Nice

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[–] BaalInvoker@lemmy.eco.br 134 points 7 months ago (35 children)

Arch wasn't affected at all, cause the backdoor trigger was only on deb and rpm distros.

However it still a good practice to update your system and leave this version behind. Anyway, Arch already updated and is no longer distributing the backdoor version, therefore 5.6.1-3 is safe

You can use Arch btw again. Actually, you never had to leave it at first

[–] pastermil@sh.itjust.works 36 points 7 months ago (7 children)

To add to your point: The .deb ones are most likely safe, since it would only be on the unstable & experimental branches. Your garden variety production servers & personal computers should be fine. That is unless you're into some unusual setup like with playing around with the upcoming version, or for some reason are pulling your own xz build.

Can't speak for the .rpm tho.

[–] 30p87@feddit.de 4 points 7 months ago

"Safe" is a strong word to use. It's safe from that specific backdoor, and it seems like the known backdoor was the main goal of the attackers, but we don't know if they're playing 4D-Chess and have already implemented another backdoor which they're actively using.

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