The Fedora Project is warning users still running Fedora Linux 38 that they soon will no longer receive security upgrades. Users still running this outdated version of the Linux distribution are urged to upgrade to version 39 or 40 because support for version 38 ends May 21.
Fedora does not mention a specific threat or exploit, but believes users are making themselves vulnerable if they do not upgrade to a newer version, according to a post by a Packaging Team member on the Fedora discussion forum.
Users can upgrade to Fedora 39 or jump straight to version 40. Fedora 39 will still get support for about a month after Fedora 41 launches. Version 41 will be released in mid-October, which means support for version 39 will last until mid-November.
Fedora Linux is one of the better-known Linux distributions. New releases and associated software updates occur about every six months, similar to the Ubuntu method.
Increasing risk after May 21
As with any operating system, Fedora versions eventually stop receiving security updates. In Fedora’s case, that support usually ends a month after the release of the version two iterations ahead.
Of course, it is still possible to use Fedora 38 after May 21. Still, the lack of new security updates poses increasing risks, particularly regarding browser security, as browsers are more often targeted by malicious actors than the system itself.
The upgrade process for Fedora is extremely simple: users can navigate to the Software application, go to the Updates tab and apply all available updates. With a moderately fast Internet connection, it’s a snap.
Fedora’s relationship with Red Hat
Fedora is a community-driven Linux distribution ‘upstream’ from Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). The former has a wide range of applications, while RHEL focuses on enterprise use with a range of certifications for the different platforms it can run on.
Although both distros are free, Red Hat offers far-reaching support through paid subscriptions. Fedora is basically a testing ground, with lots of new tech and updates in quick succession, while RHEL’s focus is on reliability and stability.
Also read: Red Hat ‘reimagines’ Enterprise Linux for AI