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That's an added layer of protection but it's hardly foolproof. A malicious game/app can still:

* Exfiltrate personal data from allowed Flatpak directories

* Steal data you intentionally open via portals (e.g., documents, password files, wallet backups)

* Store malware or persistence files inside the Flatpak sandbox

* Use network access to phone home data or join botnets

* Abuse CPU/GPU for crypto mining

* Delete or modify files in your home directory if granted --filesystem=home

* Read browser cookies, auth tokens, SSH keys, cloud credentials if home is exposed

* Install persistence via ~/.config/systemd/user/ services

* Global keystroke logging on X11

* Screenshot entire desktop on X11

* Inject fake input events to the system (mouse/keyboard) on X11

* Record screen via portals if user once granted permission

* Gain full FS access if granted --filesystem=host

* Abuse DBus to change system settings or trigger polkit actions

* Install software outside the sandbox (e.g., ~/.local/bin or autostart scripts)

* Interact with hardware via /dev if granted --device=all

* Trigger kernel or driver privilege-escalation vulnerabilities

* Load or execute unsafe third-party mods, DLLs, or anti-cheat binaries

* Malicious patchers or mod loaders downloading external payloads

* Replace shell history or alter aliases to hide malicious activity

* Encrypt local or network-mounted files (ransomware)

* Spread laterally via stolen SSH keys to other machines

* Manipulate GPU/driver calls for rootkit-like persistence

* Abuse Wine/Proton compatibility layers to escape sandbox using native loaders

* Modify dotfiles (.bashrc, .profile) for stealth persistence

* Abuse LAN trust to attack other devices on the network

* Disrupt system performance via thermal abuse (extreme sustained loads)

* Exfiltrate browser sessions or wallet seeds stored in plaintext

* Execute background processes whenever game is launched without user awareness



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