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Arch Linux disables AUR package adoption

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21–30 of 133 posts

Re: Arch Linux disables AUR package adoption

#21

I think Arch has to rethink what the AUR really is for in the age of AI. If users aren't supposed to trust anything from the AUR, then they will start to use LLMs to scan PKGBUILDs for them. But at that point, why not let the LLM loose directly on the upstream repo and build+install the package from source?

You really don't see the difference between a deterministic script installing a tarball pinned by its hash, and "sudo chatgpt install master branch of this repo"?

Re: Arch Linux disables AUR package adoption

#23
post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Desktop Linux has always been a house of cards in regards to security. I agree it's amazing that it went on for so long, but this was inevitable.

More so than, say, Windows? Really? And no, "people using one Linux distro can opt in to possibly getting pwned by each other by making use of a third-party software depot" does not reflect upon the entirety of the Linux world.

It's funny how these people say Linux security is bad because random people can upload arbitrary files to AUR, but won't say Windows security is bad because random people can upload arbitrary files to Microsoft GitHub.

Re: Arch Linux disables AUR package adoption

#24
post #7

I’ve been using arch for nearly 2 decades at this point. It’s amazing that the AUR went this long without any serious attacks. It’s a different world now. I can’t help but feel there used to be honor among hackers. You didn’t go after your own. What kind of jerk would attack Arch Linux?

Desktop Linux has always been a house of cards in regards to security. I agree it's amazing that it went on for so long, but this was inevitable.

Castles made of sand slips into the sea, eventually

Re: Arch Linux disables AUR package adoption

#25
post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

More so than, say, Windows? Really? And no, "people using one Linux distro can opt in to possibly getting pwned by each other by making use of a third-party software depot" does not reflect upon the entirety of the Linux world.

It's funny how these people say Linux security is bad because random people can upload arbitrary files to AUR, but won't say Windows security is bad because random people can upload arbitrary files to Microsoft GitHub.

MS-Windows gets attacked by the hardware vendors, too.

Re: Arch Linux disables AUR package adoption

#26
post #2

That title had me worried, but the reality seems quite reasonable. I assumed the goal was to reduce usage of AUR, they've actually remove the ability to adopt (take ownership of) orphaned packages. I'm sure there are legitimate uses of that functionality, but it also seems like a pretty big avenue for abuse.

IMO allowing package adoption makes sense in the responsible/intended use-case: AUR packages aren’t trusted, you have to read the PKGBUILD anyway, so the reputation of the contributor doesn’t matter. Removing adoption is admitting that there’s no way to prevent some users from blindly trusting a PKGBUILD.

Which is probably the best choice, unfortunately.

Re: Arch Linux disables AUR package adoption

#28
post #7

I’ve been using arch for nearly 2 decades at this point. It’s amazing that the AUR went this long without any serious attacks. It’s a different world now. I can’t help but feel there used to be honor among hackers. You didn’t go after your own. What kind of jerk would attack Arch Linux?

I'm surprised installing native software is still commonplace. At least in a world of gaming and professional software it's coming from reputable source, but when it comes to PC enthusiasts we've been walking on thin ice for a long time.

I also believe this is the main reason why web took off: effortless distribution and sandboxing.

Re: Arch Linux disables AUR package adoption

#29
> The project had suspended new account registration in June. That followed a campaign in which an attacker or attackers created new accounts to adopt orphaned packages and push malicious updates to them that would install malware on user systems. AUR registration was reopened on July 13 after the DevOps team added some minor, and apparently ineffective, restrictions on creating new accounts.

Disabling AUR package adoptions has been like the #1 thing recommended. While it's a positive step, it's not good news they literally tried everything else first. This doesn't speak well to the security headspace of the Arch maintainers.

Re: Arch Linux disables AUR package adoption

#30
post #13

From the actual announcement: > ...package adoption is currently disabled while we are handling the situation. Sounds much more like the temporary pause, than the much less temporary-sounding "has been disabled" from the OP.

Sounds like it has been disabled, which is exactly what was said.
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