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.

    • 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.

    • Hamartiogonic@sopuli.xyz
      1·
      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
      1·
      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
        2·
        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

    • 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?

    • xkforce@lemmy.world
      0·
      1 year ago

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

  • _cnt0@feddit.de
    1·
    1 year ago

    malicious Debian package repository

    *laughs in RPM*

    This comment was presented by the fedora gang.

  • drspod@lemmy.mlOP
    0·
    1 year ago

    The article mentions how to check for infection:

    If you have installed the Linux version of the Free Download Manager between 2020 and 2022, you should check and see if the malicious version was installed.

    To do this, look for the following files dropped by the malware, and if found, delete them:

    /etc/cron.d/collect
/var/tmp/crond
/var/tmp/bs
  • rufus@discuss.tchncs.de
    01·
    1 year ago

    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.

    • ipkpjersi@lemmy.ml
      1·
      1 year ago

      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.