Amarok to Better Guard Against Potential Malware
To program an effective virus for Linux is fairly difficult. It's much easier to provide malware disguised as an add-on, however. The Amarok project now wants to protect against that.
Linux users are pretty easy going when it comes to Internet dangers, which can lead to trouble, as was recently revealed in an incident of malware disguised as a screensaver. It's easy to lean back and say, "well, it's your own fault that you downloaded a binary package without first looking at the source code." But the more Linux users there are, the higher the rate that programs are downloaded and installed without much forethought. Security tests may be available, but require a lot of work in view of the magnitude of uploads.
One of the first developers to address this problem is Mark Kretschmann, who recommended a solution for the KDE music player that other projects could also adopt. Even Amarok is an easy target for these attacks. The attacker needs just to disguise one as a "cool" add-on, which Kretschmann claims, for example, could completely wipe out your home directory.
He suggests, therefore, immediately using a version control system (VCS) for all scripts and add-ons. This might increase the entry barrier for prospective Amarok developers, but the detour through a VCS provides a better protection against what Kretschmann calls "crapware" scripts, because all programmers will then know that their code is being reviewed. The scripts in version control can then be downloaded via the Get Hot New Stuff (GHNS) framework in KDE, where additional security measures can be applied. Even if an author manages to inflict malware into the code, the suspect checking it in can still be traced.
Apart from guarding against malware, a mandatory VCS has the further benefit of removing "abandonware" (such as code that was forked and is no longer maintained) or giving it to someone else to maintain.
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Canonical Releases Ubuntu 24.04
After a brief pause because of the XZ vulnerability, Ubuntu 24.04 is now available for install.
-
Linux Servers Targeted by Akira Ransomware
A group of bad actors who have already extorted $42 million have their sights set on the Linux platform.
-
TUXEDO Computers Unveils Linux Laptop Featuring AMD Ryzen CPU
This latest release is the first laptop to include the new CPU from Ryzen and Linux preinstalled.
-
XZ Gets the All-Clear
The back door xz vulnerability has been officially reverted for Fedora 40 and versions 38 and 39 were never affected.
-
Canonical Collaborates with Qualcomm on New Venture
This new joint effort is geared toward bringing Ubuntu and Ubuntu Core to Qualcomm-powered devices.
-
Kodi 21.0 Open-Source Entertainment Hub Released
After a year of development, the award-winning Kodi cross-platform, media center software is now available with many new additions and improvements.
-
Linux Usage Increases in Two Key Areas
If market share is your thing, you'll be happy to know that Linux is on the rise in two areas that, if they keep climbing, could have serious meaning for Linux's future.
-
Vulnerability Discovered in xz Libraries
An urgent alert for Fedora 40 has been posted and users should pay attention.
-
Canonical Bumps LTS Support to 12 years
If you're worried that your Ubuntu LTS release won't be supported long enough to last, Canonical has a surprise for you in the form of 12 years of security coverage.
-
Fedora 40 Beta Released Soon
With the official release of Fedora 40 coming in April, it's almost time to download the beta and see what's new.