“Bootkitty” is a new and concerning malware that targets Linux systems.
Eset analysts recentlydiscoveredthe bootkit in a previously unknown UEFI software (bootkit.efi) that someone uploaded to VirusTotal.
While not yet complete, Bootkitty is described as the first UEFI bootkit for Linux that researchers have found.
Bootkits likeBlackLotusare a particular kind of malware designed to infect the startup phase of the operating system.
The European researchers confirmed that Bootkitty targets Linux, although it only works against specific Ubuntu distros.
However, there is nothing to stop determined hackers from refining the malware.
However, Bootkitty doesn’t work as intended despite its apparent complexity.
The security community should prepare for future threats, Eset warns.
