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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).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Free Download Manager site redirected Linux users to malware for years (www.bleepingcomputer.com)

submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

60 comments fedilink hide all child comments

A reported Free Download Manager supply chain attack redirected Linux users to a malicious Debian package repository that installed information-stealing malware.

The malware used in this campaign establishes a reverse shell to a C2 server and installs a Bash stealer that collects user data and account credentials.

Kaspersky discovered the potential supply chain compromise case while investigating suspicious domains, finding that the campaign has been underway for over three years.

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[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Mmmh. You kinda deserve being infected if you do things like this. Every beginner tutorial specifically tells you not to download random stuff from the internet and 'sudo' install it. Every Wiki with helpful information has these boxes that tell you not to do it. I'm okay if you do it anyways. But don't blame anyone else for the consequences. And don't tell me you haven't been warned.

Also I wonder about the impact this had. It went unnoticed for 3 years. So I can't imagine it having affected many people. The text says it affected few people. And it didn't have any real impact.

But supply chain attacks are real. Don't get fooled. And don't install random stuff. Install the download manager from your package repository instead.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I kind of disagree. Applications often require root permissions to install themselves, since regular users can't access certain folders like /opt, etc.

Also, do you really think that people would actually read the source and then compile all their software themselves? Do you do the same?

Generally though I do agree, you're probably fine installing software from your distro's repos but even that's not bulletproof and also it's not like third-party repos are uncommon either.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Yes. I do it the correct way. I use my favourite distro's package manager to install software. This way it's tested, a few people had a look at the changes, and sometimes a CI script automatically determines if the installer affects other parts of the system. I go to great lengths to avoid doing it any other way. (I've been using some flatpaks in recent times, though. But sometimes I also install it only for a separate user account. Mainly when it's proprietary or niche.)

It is super rare that I install random stuff from the internet. Or 'curl' and then pipe the installer script into a root shell. And when I do, I put in some effort to see if it's okay. I think i had a quick glance at most of the install .sh scripts before continuing. So yes, I kinda do my best. And I isolate that stuff and don't put it on the same container that does my email.

Most of the times you can avoid doing it the 'stupid way'. And even the programming package managers like 'npm', 'cargo', ... have started to take supply chain attacks seriously.