Re: su, sudo, ssh, permissions question

From: Robert Pendell (shinji257_at_earthlink.net)
Date: 10/07/03 

Date: Mon, 06 Oct 2003 22:02:50 GMT

tns1 wrote:
> Requirements:
> I have an embedded app consisting of a dozen files that needs to
> autoexecute on bootup,reboot. The box will normally be unattended (cant
> ask for pwd!) but provides an interactive debug menu if an operator is
> present.
>
> The app does hw and system file access, so needs root priviledge.
>
> The box has a local serial console and a lan connection.
>
> The app should autoexecute on the serial console only, once the login
> prompt is reached (launched from .bashrc for now).
>
> Remote login is provided using ssh for admin.
>
> I have managed to satisfy all of the reqs, just not at the same time!
> Ssh works as long as all users have passwords. The following app note:
> http://www.linuxgazette.com/issue72/chung.html
> allows me to autologin as root (if root has no pwd), or as a normal user
> on the serial console, but without the necessary priviledge to run the
> app or do things like erasing logs.
>
> With my limited knowledge of linux, I see a few possibilities:
> 1) A method that will autologin root locally, yet require a pwd for
> remote login via ssh. Is this possible?

You never want to do this even for local system login especially not on
autologin. Reason is, what if someone sat down and decided they wanted
to login as root. It would make it really easy for them to get in and
then they could cause all kinds of havoc with linux.

> 2) A method that will give a normal user root privilege for certain
> files/folders. Will sudo do this (no asking for any pwd)?

Maybe possible? sudo will give permission but I wouldn't do it with no
password. Do some research. I have yet to figure it out myself. I
have to login as root using 'su' right now when I need to do something
that required root access.

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