Re: [RFC] [PATCH] file posix capabilities

[Casey Schaufler <casey@schaufler-ca.com>]

--- Albert Cahalan <acahalan@gmail.com> wrote:

> Casey Schaufler writes:
> > --- "Serge E. Hallyn" <serue@us.ibm.com> wrote:
> 
> >> +    bprm->cap_effective = fscaps[0];
> >> +    bprm->cap_inheritable = fscaps[1];
> >> +    bprm->cap_permitted = fscaps[2];
> >
> > It does not appear that you're attempting
> > to maintain the POSIX exec semantics for
> > capability sets. (If you're doing it
> > elsewhere in the code, nevermind) I don't
> > know if this is intentional or not.
> 
> Stop right there. No such POSIX semantics exist.
> There is no POSIX standard for this.

Strictly speaking you are of course correct.
Please accept my appologies and pass them along
to the IEEE.

> Out in the
> wild there are numerous dangerously incompatible
> ideas about this concept:
> 
> a. SGI IRIX, and one draft of a failed POSIX
> proposal

There were 17 drafts. I believe the one you
refer to is the last, which was withdrawn
due to lack of participation.

> b. Linux (half done), and a very different draft

A very similar draft. The differences are not
so significant as to matter much.

> c. DG-UX, which actually had a workable system

Opinions vary!

> d. Solaris, which is workable and getting used

Ok.
 
> Something has changed though: people are actually
> using this type of thing on Solaris. Probably the
> sanest thing to do is to copy Solaris: equations,
> tools, set of bits, #define names, API, etc. Just
> let Sun be the standard, and semi-portable apps
> will be able to use the feature. Cross-platform
> admins will be very grateful for the consistency.

There are worse notions floating about.
I personally prefer the scheme used in
Irix (big surprise there) but I certainly
wouldn't obstruct a concerted effort to
go the Solaris route. 


Casey Schaufler
casey@schaufler-ca.com
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