Public bug reported: Web browser plugins are a major vector for exploit on the internet. For security reasons, it is best not to install plugins you don't need. Yet Ubuntu-packages bundle numerous plugins together. For example, if I use one single plugin (e.g., Windows Media Player Plug-in), I have to install the gecko-mediaplayer package. Yet the gecko-mediaplayer package installs 4 additional plugins in addition to the Windows Media Player Plug-in. I NEVER use the 4 additional plugins that are installed. Further, among the 4 additional plugins installed are QuickTime and RealPlayer. Two plugins that are notoriously exploited on the web.
Packages should not bundle so many plugins together. A separate package should exist for each plugin. Or some other solution should be developed that allows users to only install the plugin they actually use. Security is a major problem these days and users should not have to install more plugins than they actually use, especially when the unused plugins are notorious for security vulnerabilities. ProblemType: Bug DistroRelease: Ubuntu 11.10 Package: gnome-session-bin 3.2.0-0ubuntu3 ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.0.0-12.20-generic 3.0.4 Uname: Linux 3.0.0-12-generic i686 ApportVersion: 1.23-0ubuntu2 Architecture: i386 Date: Sat Oct 8 12:08:41 2011 ExecutablePath: /usr/bin/gnome-session InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 11.10 "Oneiric Ocelot" - Beta i386 (20110901) ProcEnviron: PATH=(custom, no user) LANG=en_US.UTF-8 SHELL=/bin/bash SourcePackage: gnome-session UpgradeStatus: Upgraded to oneiric on 2011-10-06 (1 days ago) ** Affects: ubuntu Importance: Undecided Status: New ** Tags: apport-bug i386 oneiric running-unity -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu Bugs, which is subscribed to Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/870821 Title: Numerous plugins should not be bundled together in packages for security reasons To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+bug/870821/+subscriptions -- ubuntu-bugs mailing list ubuntu-bugs@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-bugs