KDE Warns of Risks with Global Themes After Data Loss Incident

Rohan Timalsina

April 1, 2024 - TuxCare expert team

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KDE, the developer of the popular Plasma desktop environment for Linux, has issued a warning to users regarding the installation of global themes. While these themes allow for desktop customization, recent incidents highlight potential security risks associated with global themes, including from the official KDE Store.

The core of the issue lies in the ability of global themes and plugins to execute arbitrary code. This functionality, primarily achieved through executable bash scripts, is required for changing the visual and functional aspects of the desktop, including wallpaper, lock screens, icons, color schemes, and so on. However, it also creates a vulnerability if malicious code is embedded within a theme.

KDE acknowledges a lack of resources to thoroughly examine every submitted theme for malicious intent. This, coupled with the absence of rigorous checks within the KDE Store, creates an environment where users could unknowingly install themes that execute harmful commands.

Earlier reports highlighted instances of data loss caused by malicious themes deploying commands like “rm -rf,” which wipes files from entire drives. While the offending theme has been removed from the store, similar threats could potentially lurk within unreviewed themes.

David Edmundson, a Software Engineer and Project Lead at KDE, emphasized the need for clear communication regarding security expectations for Plasma extensions. He also outlined plans to introduce curation and auditing processes within the store, alongside improving sandbox support, to enhance user safety.

Conclusion

To address these concerns, KDE encourages users to report any suspicious software and are actively working on bolstering the curation process within the store. It is advisable to exercise caution when installing software from sources outside of KDE or their distribution providers. System settings within KDE already display warnings regarding the potential risks of unreviewed themes, reiterating the importance of vigilance when customizing your desktop environment.

The sources for this article include a story from BleepingComputer.

Summary