Researchers at security firm ESET said Wednesday that they found the first UEFI bootkit for Linux. The discovery may portend that UEFI bootkits that have targeted Windows systems in recent years may soon target Linux too.

ESET researchers uncover 'Bootkitty', a first-of-its-kind UEFI bootkit for Linux Bootkitty seems to be in early stages of development, but could pose a major risk Linux users warned to be on their guard against possible attacks UEFI bootkits are reportedly making their way into Linux,

The first UEFI bootkit specifically targeting Linux systems has been discovered, marking a shift in stealthy and hard-to-remove bootkit threats that previously focused on Windows.

ESET's discovery of the first UEFI bootkit designed for Linux sendss an important message: UEFI bootkits are no longer confined to Windows systems alone.

Cybersecurity researchers have discovered the first-ever UEFI bootkit designed to target Linux systems and subvert their boot process for malicious purposes. The

Dubbed Bootkitty by its creators who go by the name BlackCat, the bootkit is assessed to be a proof-of-concept (PoC) and there is no evidence that it has been put to use in real-world attacks. Also tracked as IranuKit, it was uploaded to the VirusTotal platform on November 5, 2024.

Cybersecurity researchers have discovered “Bootkitty,” possibly the first UEFI bootkit specifically designed to target Linux systems. This marks a significant shift in the UEFI threat landscape, which previously focused exclusively on Windows-based attacks.