We'd like to raise awareness about the rsync security release version 3.4.0-1 as described in our advisory ASA-202501-1.
An attacker only requires anonymous read access to a vulnerable rsync server, such as a public mirror, to execute arbitrary code on the machine the server is running on.
Additionally, attackers can take control of an affected server and read/write arbitrary files of any connected client.
Sensitive data can be extracted, such as OpenPGP and SSH keys, and malicious code can be executed by overwriting files such as ~/.bashrc or ~/.popt.
We highly advise anyone who runs an rsync daemon or client prior to version 3.4.0-1 to upgrade and reboot their systems immediately.
As Arch Linux mirrors are mostly synchronized using rsync, we highly advise any mirror administrator to act immediately, even though the hosted package files themselves are cryptographically signed.
All infrastructure servers and mirrors maintained by Arch Linux have already been updated.
Arch Linux hasn't had a license for any package sources (such as PKGBUILD files) in the past, which is potentially problematic. Providing a license will preempt that uncertainty.
In RFC 40 we agreed to change all package sources to be licensed under the very liberal 0BSD license. This change will not limit what you can do with package sources. Check out the RFC for more on the rationale and prior discussion.
Before we make this change, we will provide contributors with a way to voice any objections they might have. Starting on 2024-11-19, over the course of a week, …
With the release of version 7.0.0 pacman has added support for
downloading packages as a separate user with dropped privileges.
For users with local repos however this might imply that the download
user does not have access to the files in question, which can be fixed
by assigning the files and folder to the alpm group and ensuring the
executable bit (+x) is set on the folders in question.
$ chown :alpm -R /path/to/local/repo
Remember to merge the .pacnew files to apply the new default.
Pacman also introduced a change to improve checksum stability for
git repos that …
After upgrading to openssh-9.8p1, the existing SSH daemon will be unable to accept new connections (see https://gitlab.archlinux.org/archlinux/packaging/packages/openssh/-/issues/5).
When upgrading remote hosts, please make sure to restart the sshd service
using systemctl try-restart sshd right after upgrading.
We are evaluating the possibility to automatically apply a restart of the sshd service on upgrade in a future release of the openssh-9.8p1 package.
Recently we held our leader election, and the previous Project Leader Levente "anthraxx" Polyák ran again while no other people were nominated for the role.
As per our election rules he is re-elected for a new term.
The role of of the project lead within Arch Linux is connected to a few
responsibilities regarding decision making (when no consensus can be reached), handling
financial matters with SPI and overall project management tasks.
Congratulations to Levente and all the best wishes for another successful term! 🥳
