Linux From Scratch 13.0 released with systemd
The new version 13.0 of Linux From Scratch brings current toolchain components and will exclusively focus on systemd in the future.
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The Linux From Scratch project has released version 13.0. The new edition of the build system for building Linux from scratch brings 36 updated packages and will exclusively use systemd as its init system in the future. The traditional System V variant will no longer be developed and remains at version 12.4.
Among the most important innovations is a toolchain update: LFS 13.0 uses binutils 2.46 (previously 2.45), glibc remains at version 2.42 (already included in 12.4). Binutils has integrated bug fixes for the strip tool and improved support for the LoongArch architecture.
The included Linux kernel has been updated to version 6.18.10. The main version 6.18 brought extended hardware support for x86_64, ARM, RISC-V, and MIPS systems. New additions include drivers for MediaTek SoCs such as the Dimensity 9400 and Kompanio Ultra. Furthermore, the kernel contains experimental Rust drivers for ARM Mali GPUs.
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Security updates included
Version 13.0 closes several security vulnerabilities in the included components. Expat received fixes for heap buffer overflows OpenSSL for a timing side-channel attack on ECDSA signatures that could endanger the private key. Vulnerabilities in Python that allowed unauthorized code execution in the venv module have been fixed. The LFS developers recommend that users of older versions pay attention to the security advisories on the project website.
Since the last stable version 12.4 from September 2025, 100 commits have been incorporated into the project. Development initially went through a release candidate phase before Bruce Dubbs released the final version on March 5, 2026.
System V era ends
With the focus on systemd, the project is making a significant change in direction. LFS has long offered a systemd variant in parallel, which is now becoming the sole standard. This decision is likely to simplify maintenance but breaks with the project's tradition of supporting various init systems. The LFS community plans to keep systemd as the standard for future versions as well.
Linux From Scratch 13.0 can be downloaded from the project website. The complete manual is available there as a PDF.
(fo)
