A significant change is on the horizon for Ubuntu 25.10, dubbed ‘Questing Quokka’, set to release in October. This upcoming version will feature a revamped version of the widely-used sudo command, which will now be based on Rust instead of C. The sudo command, known for allowing users to execute commands with root privileges, has been a staple in Linux environments.
The new implementation, called sudo-rs, comes from the Trifecta Tech Foundation, which announced earlier this month their collaboration with Ubuntu on this project. The transition aims to enhance the security of the sudo command by leveraging Rust’s inherent features that ensure memory safety, which help mitigate potential vulnerabilities like buffer overflows and use-after-free errors.
Canonical’s Jon Seager emphasized the importance of this shift, noting that it not only strengthens a critical low-level software utility but also promotes the broader adoption of Rust in system programming within the Linux ecosystem. Furthermore, Todd Miller, the original maintainer of sudo, is providing guidance on the transition to sudo-rs.
For users, there’s no need to learn a new command or change their habits; the traditional sudo command will remain unchanged in its functionality. As sudo-rs is designed to be a drop-in replacement, users can continue to use sudo without altering their workflow. Canonical is preparing for a seamless transition by adding necessary support features such as AppArmor profile controls and compatibility with older Linux kernel versions.
While some lesser-used features from the original C-based sudo might not transition to the Rust version, the original sudo will still be available for those who prefer it. This change is part of a broader strategy to improve both security and reliability before the anticipated inclusion of sudo-rs in the next LTS release in 2026.
Rust’s popularity in open-source software continues to grow, praised for its strict compile-time checks that catch errors early in the coding process. The incorporation of sudo-rs illustrates Ubuntu’s commitment to enhancing the security framework critical to Linux operations, paving the way for more secure and reliable system commands.
For more information, you can visit the Rust programming language website or explore details about Ubuntu 25.10 and the sudo command.