OpenSSH 5.6 Released into the Wild
The secure communication solution gets an upgrade.
OpenSSH or OpenBSD Secure Shell got an update to 5.6. The project features a slew of new features and bug fixes, but maintains compatibility with SSH protocol 1.3, 1.5, and 2.0.
New to 5.6 is a ControlPersist option to ssh_config, which automatically launches a background ssh multiplex master during connection. SSH now logs hostname and address concted to LogLevel=verbose after a successful authentication. This is done to manage phishing attacks by servers with trusted keys that accept authentication silently and automatically before presenting falsified password/passphrase prompts.
5.6 also allows ssh-keygent to import and export PEM and PKCS#8 keys. Debug messages can be queued, and remote forwarding with dynamic port allocation. SSHd now supports indirection in matching principal names listed in certificates.
For a full list of new features and bug fixes, visit www.openssh.com/txt/release-5.6.
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
-
Linux Mint 22.2 Beta Available for Testing
Some interesting new additions and improvements are coming to Linux Mint. Check out the Linux Mint 22.2 Beta to give it a test run.
-
Debian 13.0 Officially Released
After two years of development, the latest iteration of Debian is now available with plenty of under-the-hood improvements.
-
Upcoming Changes for MXLinux
MXLinux 25 has plenty in store to please all types of users.
-
A New Linux AI Assistant in Town
Newelle, a Linux AI assistant, works with different LLMs and includes document parsing and profiles.
-
Linux Kernel 6.16 Released with Minor Fixes
The latest Linux kernel doesn't really include any big-ticket features, just a lot of lines of code.
-
EU Sovereign Tech Fund Gains Traction
OpenForum Europe recently released a report regarding a sovereign tech fund with backing from several significant entities.
-
FreeBSD Promises a Full Desktop Installer
FreeBSD has lacked an option to include a full desktop environment during installation.
-
Linux Hits an Important Milestone
If you pay attention to the news in the Linux-sphere, you've probably heard that the open source operating system recently crashed through a ceiling no one thought possible.
-
Plasma Bigscreen Returns
A developer discovered that the Plasma Bigscreen feature had been sitting untouched, so he decided to do something about it.
-
CachyOS Now Lets Users Choose Their Shell
Imagine getting the opportunity to select which shell you want during the installation of your favorite Linux distribution. That's now a thing.