# On the critical path to implant backdoors and the effectiveness of potential mitigation techniques: Early learnings from XZ

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2404.08987 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2404.08987/

## Key facts

- Cited by 3 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 13 Apr 2024.

## Built on by (most cited first, 3 of 3)

- [Distributed Attacks in Persistent-State AI Control](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2607.02514/) (2026)
- [MeMoir: A Software-Driven Covert Channel based on Memory Usage](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2409.13310/) (2024)
- [Human-Certified Module Repositories for the AI Age](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2603.02512/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

An emerging supply-chain attack due to a backdoor in XZ Utils has been identified. The backdoor allows an attacker to run commands remotely on vulnerable servers utilizing SSH without prior authentication. We have started to collect available information with regards to this attack to discuss current mitigation strategies for such kinds of supply-chain attacks. This paper introduces the critical attack path of the XZ backdoor and provides an overview about potential mitigation techniques related to relevant stages of the attack path.