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

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.

    • Hamartiogonic@sopuli.xyz
      4·
      1 year ago

      Oh, I know someone who adds the word “free” to various search words like “free pdf reader” or “free flash player” (happened a very long time ago). He’s also the kind of person who I can imagine having a bunch of viruses and malware on his computer.

    • 30p87@feddit.de
      4·
      1 year ago

      And via a website too. That’s like pushing a car. One of the main strengths of Linux are open repositories, maintained by reputable sources and checked by thousands of reputable people. Packages are checksummed and therefore unable to be switched by malicious parties. Even the AUR is arguably a safer and more regulated source. And it’s actually in there.

      • JWBananas@startrek.websiteEnglish
        6·
        1 year ago

        And via a website too

        Everyone knows real admins do curl https://raw.githubusercontent.com/something/or/other/install.sh | sudo bash

    • gaael@lemmy.world
      2·
      1 year ago

      I’ve installed and used it, and still do.

      My internet connection is not that reliable, and when I download big files that are not torrents (say >1000 MB) and the download is interrupted because of internet disconnect, Firefox often has trouble getting back to it while FDM doesn’t.

      FDM also lets me set download speed limits, which means I can still browse the internet while downloading.

      It’s not my main tool for downloading stuff, but it has its uses.

    • TrustingZebra@lemmy.one
      0·
      1 year ago

      It’s still my favorite download manager on Windows. It often downloads file significantly faster than the download manager built into browsers. Luckily I never installed it on Linux, since I have a habit of only installing from package managers.

      Do you know of a good download manager for Linux?

      • arglebargle@lemm.eeEnglish
        2·
        1 year ago

        axel. use axel -n8 to make 8 connections/segments which it will assemble when it is done

      • FredericChopin_@feddit.ukEnglish
        1·
        1 year ago

        How much faster are we talking?

        I’ve honestly never looked at my downloads and though huh you should be quicker, well maybe in 90’s.

        • TrustingZebra@lemmy.one
          0·
          1 year ago

          FDM does some clever things to boost download speeds. It splits up a download into different chuncks, and somehow downloads them concurrently. It makes a big difference for large files (for example, Linux ISOs).

          • FredericChopin_@feddit.ukEnglish
            0·
            1 year ago

            Im curious as to how it would achieve that?

            It can’t split a file before it has the file. And all downloads are split up. They’re called packets.

            Not saying it doesn’t do it, just wondering how.

            • everett@lemmy.ml
              0·
              1 year ago

              It could make multiple requests to the server, asking each request to resume starting at a certain byte.

    • xkforce@lemmy.world
      0·
      1 year ago

      The same people that would have given that poor nigerian prince their bank account details