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Rob Mensching
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Rob Mensching
@robmen
@firegiantco CEO & Co-Founder | Benevolent Dictator of @wixtoolset | RobMensching.com for more information
Redmond, WA USA
robmensching.com
Joined March 2008
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@robmen

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  • user avatar
    Rob Mensching
    @robmen
    Mar 30, 2024
    Lots of analysis of the xz/liblzma vulnerability. Most skip over the first step of the attack: 0. The original maintainer burns out, and only the attacker offers to help (so the attacker inherits the trust of the project built by the maintainer). Read their words👇🏻 1/
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  • user avatar
    Rob Mensching
    @robmen
    Mar 30, 2024
    Replying to @robmen
    This thread is a microcosm of the interactions in Open Source projects. Consumers make demands (some polite, some not-so-polite) of one maintainer (rarely two) who does everything. This is the way it works. End of line
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  • user avatar
    Rob Mensching
    @robmen
    Mar 30, 2024
    Replying to @robmen
    Maintainer also reminds everybody how the world's software is built now. "It's also good to keep in mind that this is an unpaid hobby project" - mail-archive.com/xz-devel@tukaa… 8/
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  • user avatar
    Rob Mensching
    @robmen
    Mar 30, 2024
    Replying to @robmen
    We start with a reasonable request asked reasonably. But it will force the maintainer to address his "failings" (I know how this feels). "Is XZ for Java still maintained? I asked a question here a week ago and have not heard back." - mail-archive.com/xz-devel@tukaa… 2/
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  • user avatar
    Rob Mensching
    @robmen
    Mar 30, 2024
    Replying to @robmen
    Aside: Given that the xz/liblzma vulnerability looks like a purposeful attack by "Jia Tan" should "Jigar Kumar" be considered an accomplice by actively encouraging the original maintainer to give up? Not sure? We'll see this unhelpful consumer "Jigar Kumar" again soon. 6/
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  • user avatar
    Rob Mensching
    @robmen
    Mar 30, 2024
    Replying to @robmen
    Maintainer acknowledges he's "behind" and struggling to keep up. "Yes, by some definition at least, like if someone reports a bug it will get fixed. Development of new features definitely isn't very active. :-(" - mail-archive.com/xz-devel@tukaa… 3/
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  • user avatar
    Rob Mensching
    @robmen
    Mar 30, 2024
    Replying to @robmen
    Oh, and we are introduced to our attacker, in the same message. "Jia Tan has helped me ... and he might have a bigger role in the future ... It's clear that my resources are too limited ... so something has to change in the long term." - mail-archive.com/xz-devel@tukaa… 4/
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  • user avatar
    Rob Mensching
    @robmen
    Mar 30, 2024
    Replying to @robmen
    Unhelpful consumer says unhelpful things "Progress will not happen until there is new maintainer. ... The current maintainer lost interest or doesn't care to maintain anymore. It is sad to see for a repo like this." - mail-archive.com/xz-devel@tukaa… 5/
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  • user avatar
    Rob Mensching
    @robmen
    Mar 30, 2024
    Replying to @robmen
    Maintainer defends himself. This situation is not uncommon. 😢 "I haven't lost interest but my ability to care has been fairly limited mostly due to longterm mental health issues but also due to some other things." - mail-archive.com/xz-devel@tukaa… 7/
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  • user avatar
    Rob Mensching
    @robmen
    Mar 30, 2024
    Replying to @robmen
    Unhelpful consumer returns _a week later_. "You ignore the many patches bit rotting away on this mailing list. Right now you choke your repo. Why wait until 5.4.0 to change maintainer? Why delay what your repo needs?" - mail-archive.com/xz-devel@tukaa… What purpose does this serve? 9/
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  • user avatar
    Rob Mensching
    @robmen
    Mar 30, 2024
    Replying to @robmen
    The email thread ends. The complaining consumers offer no help and continue to make demands. Only the attacker is left. "Jia Tan may have a bigger role in the project... He has been helping a lot off-list and is practically a co-maintainer..." - mail-archive.com/xz-devel@tukaa… 13/
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  • user avatar
    Rob Mensching
    @robmen
    Mar 30, 2024
    Replying to @robmen
    Maintainer explains the reality. "Finding a co-maintainer or passing the projects completely to someone ... it's not a trivial thing to do. For example, someone would need to have the skills, time, and enough long-term interest..." - mail-archive.com/xz-devel@tukaa… 12/
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  • user avatar
    Rob Mensching
    @robmen
    Mar 30, 2024
    Replying to @robmen
    Reasonable requestor (from the top of thread) demands more too. "I am sorry about your mental health issues, but its important to be aware of your own limits. I get that this is a hobby project for all contributors, but the community desires more" - mail-archive.com/xz-devel@tukaa… 10/
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  • user avatar
    Rob Mensching
    @robmen
    Mar 30, 2024
    Replying to @robmen
    No-longer-reasonable requestor offers suggestions but no help. Consumers just consume. "Why not pass on maintainership for XZ for C so you can give XZ for Java more attention? ... Trying to maintain both means that neither are maintained well." - mail-archive.com/xz-devel@tukaa… 11/
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