Wow, the twitter replies suggesting this was an accidental "tar cvf * backup.tar" sound right on the mark. Especially considering favicon.ico is probably the first file in a wp install, alphabetically.

This is my new favorite bug/mistake. It's just exquisite.

It really has it all, doesn't it?

For everyone struggling with tar, please be aware that you can use long-form arguments. So instead of "tar cvf filename files" you use "tar --create --verbose --file file.tar files" or maybe another order like ""tar --create --file file.tar --verbose files"-

It is much more sensible and intuitive.

Once you've used it more than once or twice, however, you will find that writing cfv is much more convenient than typing --create --verbose --file every time you want to tar something.

But if it's code you're only writing once - like in a script - you might consider using the longer ones to avoid screw ups and improve maintainability.

always use long form flags when writing scripts...have some consideration for the person who has to fix your code when you move on

there's an xkcd for that...: https://xkcd.com/1168/

I doubt that the creator or the promoters of the meme know about the long-form parameters. They make sense.

Wow, deeply impressed with Firefox who rolled a fix in 3 hours. Mad props.