FIDO2 Authentication on Linux: Which Versions Support It and How to Upgrade Older Systems

FIDO2 protocol is widely supported across modern Linux distributions, especially those that include up-to-date browsers and WebAuthn support. Here’s a look at the main Linux distributions and versions that support FIDO2, along with solutions for older, unsupported versions.

Supported Linux Distributions and Versions for FIDO2

1. Ubuntu (18.04 LTS and Later)

   • Ubuntu provides robust FIDO2 support starting from version 18.04 LTS. Installing libfido2 and libu2f-host libraries ensures compatibility, while popular browsers like Firefox and Chrome support WebAuthn and FIDO2.

2. Debian (Buster 10 and Later)

   • FIDO2 support is available in Debian starting from Buster (version 10), with libraries like libfido2 and libu2f-host available. Compatible browsers ensure WebAuthn functionality.

3. Fedora (30 and Later)

   • Fedora has FIDO2 support beginning with version 30, with built-in compatibility through packages like libfido2. FIDO2 works smoothly with Firefox and Chrome, as well as with system-level authentication setups.

4. Arch Linux

   • Arch Linux, being a rolling-release distribution, offers current FIDO2 support with the latest libraries (libfido2 and pam-u2f). Frequent updates mean FIDO2 and WebAuthn compatibility is readily available.

5. CentOS and RHEL (8 and Later)

   • FIDO2 support is provided starting from CentOS and RHEL version 8. Installing libfido2 and libu2f-host offers compatibility, particularly with Firefox and Chrome browsers.

6. Linux Mint (19 and Later)

   • Based on Ubuntu, Linux Mint offers FIDO2 support starting from version 19, with libfido2 libraries ensuring compatibility with Firefox and Chrome.

Solutions for Older, Unsupported Linux Versions

If you are using an older Linux version without native FIDO2 support, consider these solutions:

1. Use an Up-to-Date Browser with WebAuthn Support

   • Installing the latest versions of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox can add WebAuthn (and therefore FIDO2) support on some older Linux distributions.

2. Install FIDO2 Libraries Manually

   • In some cases, you can manually install libfido2 and libu2f-host to add partial FIDO2 support on older systems. However, this may require building from source if pre-compiled packages are not available.

3. Upgrade to a Supported Version

   • Upgrading to a recent version of your Linux distribution (such as Ubuntu 18.04 or Debian 10) is the most straightforward solution, providing full FIDO2 and WebAuthn support.

4. Use a Virtual Machine with a Supported Linux Version

   • Running a virtual machine with a FIDO2-compatible Linux distribution (such as Fedora 30 or Ubuntu 18.04) allows you to use FIDO2 on an older Linux host while maintaining the older system.

These options help maximize FIDO2 compatibility across Linux systems, though upgrading is often the most effective approach for secure and reliable FIDO2 functionality.