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The Sudo Maintainer’s Plea: A Wake-Up Call for Open Source

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#opensource#security#linux#sudo


Sudo: Three Decades of Service and an Urgent Need for Help

Do you know Todd C. Miller? If you use Linux, macOS, or any Unix-like system, you use his work every single day. Since 1993, Miller has been the central pillar behind sudo, the command that allows us to act as "super-users."

According to a recent report by The Register, the situation has reached a breaking point: after more than 30 years, Miller is officially calling for reinforcements.

Why Should We Care?

It is both fascinating and terrifying to realize that a fundamental piece of the world’s digital infrastructure rests on the shoulders of one person. Here are the key takeaways:

  • Resource Exhaustion: Maintaining sudo isn't just about writing code; it involves triaging security reports, testing compatibility across dozens of OS versions, and filtering out the noise from automated bug reports.

  • Systemic Risk: A single undetected flaw in sudo can open the doors to millions of servers worldwide. Without adequate resources, response times to critical vulnerabilities increase.

  • The Funding Gap: While tech giants rely on sudo for their commercial products, the project lacks the direct sponsorship needed to ensure its long-term sustainability.

    • The "House of Cards" Reality

    This situation is a real-life example of the famous XKCD comic, where all of modern digital infrastructure is held up by a tiny project maintained by someone in Nebraska. In this case, the person is in Colorado, but the risk to the global economy is identical.

    "I have been the maintainer of sudo for over 30 years. To continue ensuring the quality and security of the tool, I need support." — Todd C. Miller

    What Can Be Done?

    As a community, we need to rethink how we support "invisible" critical projects:

  • Raise Awareness: Shine a light on the heroes behind the tools we take for granted.

  • Financial Support: Encourage the companies that profit from these tools to become official sponsors.

  • Technical Contribution: For those with the skills, help with code reviews, documentation, or porting to new platforms.

    • Open source is only "free" because someone, somewhere, is paying for it with their time and health. It’s time we give Todd a hand.

    Source: The Register - Sudo maintainer asks for help

    The Sudo Maintainer’s Plea: A Wake-Up Call for Open Source — fs0ciety blog