Offensive Security (OffSec), the team behind Kali Linux, has issued an important warning to all users: update failures will happen unless you manually install a new repository signing key.
The alert follows an unexpected situation where OffSec lost access to the old Kali Linux repository signing key (ED444FF07D8D0BF6). To fix the issue, they have created a new key (ED65462EC8D5E4C5), which is now signed by Kali developers and can be verified using the Ubuntu OpenPGP key server.
Although the old signing key was not compromised (meaning it wasn’t stolen or hacked), it is no longer usable. However, OffSec decided not to remove the old key from the system keyring to avoid further problems.
Why Update Failures Are Happening
If you continue using the old key, you will encounter errors when trying to update your system. Specifically, you will see an error like:
“Missing key 827C8569F2518CC677FECA1AED65462EC8D5E4C5, which is needed to verify signature“
This error means that your system cannot verify new updates because it doesn’t recognize the new signing key.
OffSec admitted they realized the key was lost some time ago, but they did not share the exact date. They took action by freezing the Kali Linux repository on February 18th, stopping all updates to avoid causing immediate problems.
OffSec Takes Responsibility
In a public statement, OffSec said:
“In the coming day(s), pretty much every Kali system out there will fail to update. This is not only you — this is for everyone, and it’s entirely our fault. We lost access to the signing key of the repository, so we had to create a new one.”
They also explained that while the repository was frozen, no new updates were released, so no users were affected yet. However, since OffSec plans to unfreeze the repository soon, users must act now to avoid disruption.
How to Fix the Kali Linux Update Issue
To prevent update errors, users must manually install the new signing key. OffSec provided a simple command to do this:
sudo wget https://archive.kali.org/archive-keyring.gpg -O /usr/share/keyrings/kali-archive-keyring.gpg
Running this command downloads and installs the new Kali Linux archive keyring directly into the correct system folder.
Verifying the New Key
OffSec also recommends that users verify the checksum of the downloaded file to ensure its authenticity. You can also view the contents of the updated keyring to make sure everything looks correct.
If you don’t feel comfortable manually updating the keyring, another option is to reinstall Kali Linux using the latest system images, which already come with the updated key.
Not the First Time for Kali Linux Users
Interestingly, this is not the first time Kali Linux users have faced such an issue. Back in February 2018, the Kali team let their GPG key expire by mistake. Users back then also had to manually update the keyring to continue using the repositories without errors.
At that time, the Kali team jokingly said:
“If you don’t update Kali regularly (cough), then your archive-keyring package is outdated, and you’ll get key mismatches when working with our repositories. Sucks for you, but at least you can manually update.”
Why This Matters for Security and Stability
For a penetration testing and security-focused distribution like Kali Linux, keeping the system updated is extremely important. Outdated keys or software can expose users to vulnerabilities, bugs, or compatibility issues.
Repository signing keys are a crucial part of the Linux security model. They ensure that all downloaded packages are legitimate and have not been tampered with by attackers. Without a valid signing key, users cannot verify the authenticity of software updates, making it risky to install new packages.
Therefore, updating the key is not just a technical detail — it’s a critical security step for every Kali Linux user.
Conclusion
If you are using Kali Linux, it’s essential to manually install the new signing key as soon as possible. Failing to do so will lead to update errors and could leave your system vulnerable.
Always remember to stay updated with official announcements from Offensive Security. Regular updates and quick actions on warnings like these help keep your Linux system safe, stable, and secure.
Stay alert, stay updated, and continue hacking responsibly!
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