crates.io Postmortem: User Uploaded Malware (blog.rust-lang.org)

submitted 1 year ago by snaggen@programming.dev to c/rust@programming.dev

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[-] technom@programming.dev 1 points 1 year ago

That can be done. But how do you trust a software at runtime if it can't be trusted at build time?

This is more of a supply chain issue. Users are likely to build only reputed crates. However, their dependencies may not be that reputed. For example, malicious actors may buy out a common and deeply buried dependency and use that to propagate malware (this regularly happens with browser extensions - even open source ones). How do we ensure that this doesn't happen?

[-] onlinepersona@programming.dev 1 points 1 year ago

That's a big question and would require more effort than the maintainers of crates.io could probably muster. Also, do you know anybody who has solved it in opensource? How would you enforce the solution on some dude writing code in his basement to "just make it work" on his 1 day off from an otherwise busy life?

[-] technom@programming.dev 1 points 1 year ago

Also, do you know anybody who has solved it in opensource?

I forgot to mention that this is a problem on every major language registry - especially PyPI and NPM.

How would you enforce the solution on some dude writing code in his basement to "just make it work" on his 1 day off from an otherwise busy life?

There are two things to consider. The first is that all major open source languages are run by foundations with big players and a lot of funding and donations. It's probably a good idea to invest in a paid team dedicated to security. I'm sure everyone's thought about it already but hasn't done enough so far.

The second fact is that professionals - especially security companies - do occasionally report them. Like this story, for instance. So they are doing something right and it's possible. It's a good idea to fund them and increase their scope (hopefully, they won't introduce any malware just to claim the prize).