bitcoin$86,066 USD/$73,282 EUR/$64,344 GBP/$118,638 CAD/$130,334 AUDmonero$418 USD/$356 EUR/$313 GBP/$576 CAD/$633 AUDlitecoin$76 USD/$65 EUR/$57 GBP/$105 CAD/$115 AUDethereum$2,828 USD/$2,408 EUR/$2,114 GBP/$3,898 CAD/$4,282 AUDbitcoin$86,066 USD/$73,282 EUR/$64,344 GBP/$118,638 CAD/$130,334 AUDmonero$418 USD/$356 EUR/$313 GBP/$576 CAD/$633 AUDlitecoin$76 USD/$65 EUR/$57 GBP/$105 CAD/$115 AUDethereum$2,828 USD/$2,408 EUR/$2,114 GBP/$3,898 CAD/$4,282 AUDbitcoin$86,066 USD/$73,282 EUR/$64,344 GBP/$118,638 CAD/$130,334 AUDmonero$418 USD/$356 EUR/$313 GBP/$576 CAD/$633 AUDlitecoin$76 USD/$65 EUR/$57 GBP/$105 CAD/$115 AUDethereum$2,828 USD/$2,408 EUR/$2,114 GBP/$3,898 CAD/$4,282 AUDbitcoin$86,066 USD/$73,282 EUR/$64,344 GBP/$118,638 CAD/$130,334 AUDmonero$418 USD/$356 EUR/$313 GBP/$576 CAD/$633 AUDlitecoin$76 USD/$65 EUR/$57 GBP/$105 CAD/$115 AUDethereum$2,828 USD/$2,408 EUR/$2,114 GBP/$3,898 CAD/$4,282 AUD
Supply Chain Poison: Malware Infiltrates Pidgin’s Official Plugin Repository

Supply Chain Poison: Malware Infiltrates Pidgin’s Official Plugin Repository

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Trust is a Vulnerability

For decades, the darknet community has relied on Pidgin + OTR (Off-the-Record) as the bedrock of encrypted communication. We trust it because it is open-source, old, and boring. But in July 2024, that trust was weaponized. The Pidgin project admitted that a third-party plugin, hosted on their own official list, was actually a delivery vector for high-grade malware. This wasn't a sophisticated zero-day exploit; it was a supply chain injection that punished users looking for *more* security features.

The Vector: 'ss-otr'

The malicious package was named `ss-otr` (ScreenShareOTR). It marketed itself as a tool to allow secure screen sharing over the OTR protocol—a feature that would appeal specifically to power users and privacy advocates. It was added to the third-party plugin list on July 6, 2024. For 41 days, it sat there, verified by the platform's reputation, waiting for victims to install it.

The Payload: Keyloggers and Screenshots

The plugin did not contain source code—a massive red flag that went unnoticed by the repo maintainers. Instead, it delivered a pre-compiled binary. Forensic analysis by security researcher Johnny Xmas and user '0xFFFC0000' revealed the binary's true function: it installed a keylogger and a screen capture tool. It is strongly suspected to be a loader for DarkGate, a potent malware strain used to gain initial access to corporate and private networks. If you typed your PGP passphrase, market PIN, or wallet seed while this plugin was active, assume it is now in the hands of a threat actor.

The Timeline of Failure

The incident highlights a critical failure in repository management:

  • July 6, 2024: `ss-otr` is added to the official plugin list.
  • August 16, 2024: User `0xFFFC0000` reports the suspicious behavior (keylogging/screenshots) to Pidgin devs.
  • August 22, 2024: Security researcher Johnny Xmas confirms the presence of the keylogger.
  • Response: Pidgin pulls the plugin and issues a warning.

The Policy Shift: Closing the Barn Door

In the wake of the breach, Pidgin has announced a policy shift. Going forward, they will require all third-party plugins to possess an OSI Approved Open Source License and provide the source code for scrutiny. While this is the correct move, it is embarrassing that a platform dedicated to secure communication was hosting closed-source binary blobs in 2024. It serves as a stark reminder: 'Open Source' only protects you if you actually audit the code.

OpSec Takeaway: Vanilla is Safe

The lesson here is simple and brutal: Keep your comms stack boring. Use the base Pidgin client with the standard OTR plugin. Do not install 'feature enhancers,' screen sharers, or fancy UI mods. Every plugin you add expands your attack surface. If you installed `ss-otr`, a simple uninstall is insufficient. Your machine is compromised. Nuke the OS, re-flash the BIOS if possible, and rotate every credential you ever typed on that device.

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