Arch Linux AUR Malware Campaign Hits Multiple User-Contributed Packages

2026-06-12 08:49 UTC

Arch Linux’s AUR is experiencing a malware incident involving user-contributed packages with malicious commits that attempt to download npm-based payloads during installation. (…) Arch users should not update AUR packages without review. Examine PKGBUILD diffs, check any new .install files, and be cautious if updates introduce npm commands or dependencies unrelated to the software. Users who recently updated affected AUR packages should review package history, examine executed suspicious install scripts, and treat any unexpected npm-based installation behavior as a possible compromise.

Replies (11)

@placebo@lemmy.zip 2026-06-12 10:16

attempt to download npm-based payloads during installation Why npm and not python? It’s installed on every arch system and wouldn’t bring unnecessary attention 🤷

Open ##3300096
@MonkderVierte@lemmy.zip 2026-06-12 10:19

… how do i make npm generally not work on Linux? I don’t use it and with how attack vectors are the majority of cases via NPM… environment variables pointing to /dev/null? Application firewall?

Open ##3300103
@subOrange@lemmy.world 2026-06-12 09:43

…but Linux is more secure than Windows! /s

Open ##3300132
@sanpo@sopuli.xyz 2026-06-12 09:37

What a terrible article. “Multiple” packages mentioned in the title, but they’re unable to actually name more than one in the article… //edit Actually, they did leave a link to the mailing list thread at the very end. I should learn to read the entire article…

Open ##3300422
@IEatDaFeesh@lemmy.world 2026-06-12 11:42

I feel like this always happens to npm specifically. They’re definitely doing something wrong 💀

Open ##3300476
@vapeloki@lemmy.world 2026-06-12 11:59

Maybe, just maybe, and nearly unmoderated repository where everybody can create packages, is not so secure after all? /s And AUR is the reason I keep arch miles away from any of my systems.

Open ##3300542
@mactan@lemmy.ml 2026-06-12 12:57

To potentially prevent this entire class of npm attacks in the future, you could edit /etc/pacman.conf, uncomment # Pacman won't upgrade packages listed in IgnorePkg and members of IgnoreGroup #IgnorePkg = And set it to IgnorePkg = npm Your system should prompt you to accept installing npm because it’s in the ignore list. These packages set it as a dependency, so that gives you a chance to notice that something’s off and refuse the install. This assumes you don’t already have npm installed or need it for some reason.

Open ##3300701
@SocialistVibes01@lemmy.ml 2026-06-12 17:13

Me, a Debian user watching that shitshow 😎

Open ##3301824
@mecen@lemmy.ca 2026-06-12 20:25

To be fair basic checks should be done not just make account and in next 10 seconds accept abandoned package and publish malware

Open ##3303464
@ProgrammingSocks@pawb.social 2026-06-13 21:20

I wasn’t hit according to the public script but I am definitely rethinking my use of Arch and most certainly refraining from the AUR as much as possible going forward. This is far too many events in such a small period of time for me.

Open ##3312397
@SolarPunker@slrpnk.net 2026-06-12 12:02

That's another reason I like cachyos: they have a curated list of aur pkgs in their repo.

Open ##3352272