A Critical Bug In Libwayland Update Causes Plasma Desktop Freeze On Debian Sid\/Trixie

A recent libwayland package update on Debian sid/trixie has caused widespread KDE Plasma desktop freezes. The upgrade from libwayland-client0 version 1.22.0-2.1 b1 to 1.23.0-1 prevents Plasma from launching, leaving users with a frozen login screen and only a visible cursor.

Table of Contents

- Detailed Problem Description

• Affected Software Components
• Root Cause Analysis
• Scope of the Issue
• Developer Response and Actions
• Temporary Fix
• Future Steps
• User Implications
• Summary

Detailed Problem Description

Following the update, many users report being unable to access their Plasma desktops. The plasmashell component fails to initialize, resulting in a system freeze upon login. This affects various hardware configurations.

Affected Software Components

While initially reported as a libwayland-bin issue, the problem originates from libwayland-client0 version 1.23.0-1. The incompatibility stems from changes in the wl_shm (Wayland shared memory) interface version.

Root Cause Analysis

The libwayland update modified shared memory handling, disrupting its interaction with Xwayland and the Plasma desktop's KWin window manager. This incompatibility leads to an Xwayland crash, preventing Plasma's proper initialization.

Scope of the Issue

The bug, reported July 22, 2024, quickly gained traction due to numerous affected Debian sid/trixie users. The severity prompted immediate developer attention.

Developer Response and Actions

Developers pinpointed the problematic commit and prioritized the bug report for immediate resolution.

Temporary Fix

A temporary solution involves rebuilding the KWin window manager after the libwayland update. This requires technical expertise and may not be suitable for all users.

Steps for the temporary fix:

1. Update the system, including libwayland packages.
2. Rebuild KWin.
3. Reboot the system.

Future Steps

The Debian team is actively developing a permanent solution to restore compatibility between libwayland and KWin, exploring methods to maintain wl_shm interface compatibility or improve version handling.

User Implications

Debian sid/trixie users should proceed cautiously with system updates. Those not yet updated should wait for a permanent fix. Affected users can attempt the KWin rebuild workaround.

Summary

The libwayland 1.23.0-1 update introduced a critical bug, freezing Plasma desktops on Debian sid/trixie due to altered shared memory handling and subsequent Xwayland crashes. While a temporary KWin rebuild solution exists, a permanent fix is crucial. This incident underscores the challenges of rolling release distributions and the importance of rigorous testing for critical system library updates.

Resource:

• https://www.php.cn/link/726e4f3bcd24a4d4eee9dfe31cfc5823

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