Question

STUCK on Linux sticky bit!

Asked by: Sp0cky

I am trying to allow users from the test group create and write to files under my /tmp/test folder/...but it is NOT working!

My steps are: create the folder under / using root user then,
1.  chmod g+s /tmp/test
2.  chgrp test /tmp/test
3. usermode -a -G test "myuser"
4.  I go to create a file under the directory /tmp/test and PERMISSIONS DENIED!!

ARRR!!!!  What am I doing wrong??

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Asked On
2009-09-27 at 14:17:35ID24765550
Topics

Red Hat Linux

,

Linux

,

Fedora Linux

Participating Experts
1
Points
500
Comments
7

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Answers

 

by: TintinPosted on 2009-09-27 at 14:28:52ID: 25435567

You are setting SGUID bit not sticky bit.  The SGUID bit ensures any files/dirs created under the directory with SGUID bit set will have the group name of that directory.

You need to make sure you have write permission for the group as well, eg:

chmod 770 /tmp/test   (or 775 depending on your needs)
chmod g+s /tmp/test



 

by: Sp0ckyPosted on 2009-09-27 at 14:34:59ID: 25435602

Thanks.  Thats the weird think.  Permissions are set to 775 , I a ma member of test yet I still get "permissions denied.".... I dont get it...

drwxrwsr-x  2 root test 4.0K Sep 27 14:35 test
drwx------  2 root root 4.0K Sep 27 12:54 virtual-root.3x8Q9q
-r--r--r--  1 root root   11 Sep 27 11:42 .X0-lock
drwxrwxrwt  2 root root 4.0K Sep 27 11:42 .X11-unix
[myuser@nisserver tmp]$ touch test
touch: setting times of `test': Permission denied
[myuser@nisserver tmp]$ cd test
[myuser@nisserver test]$ touch t4
touch: cannot touch `t4': Permission denied
[myuser@nisserver test]$ mkdir gettt
mkdir: cannot create directory `gettt': Permission denied
[myuser@nisserver test]$ pwd
/tmp/test
[myuser@nisserver test]$ touch file
touch: cannot touch `file': Permission denied

                                              
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by: Sp0ckyPosted on 2009-09-27 at 14:40:37ID: 25435621

"You are setting SGUID bit not sticky bit.  The SGUID bit ensures any files/dirs created under the directory with SGUID bit set will have the group name of that directory."

Also, wha tis the purpose of this?  How is this used?  Thank you.

 

by: TintinPosted on 2009-09-27 at 14:47:25ID: 25435645

As 'myuser', type in

groups

You should see the 'test' group in your list if you are going to have perms to create files/dirs.  Make sure you logoff/login after you added the group with usermod

 

by: TintinPosted on 2009-09-27 at 14:51:26ID: 25435657

The SGUID bit is useful if you have different users that have different primary groups.

For example, say you have

user1 with primary group of group1  and secondary group of 'test'
user2 with primary group of group2 and secondary group of 'test'

If the permissions on /tmp/test are 775, then if user1 creates a file/dir, the group ownership of the file/dir will be 'group1'.   With the SGUID bit set on /tmp/test and group ownership set to 'test', it will ensure any files/dirs created by user1 and user2 will have group ownership of 'test'

 

by: Sp0ckyPosted on 2009-09-27 at 14:51:54ID: 25435662

Thanks.  It JUST took.  I have no idea why..I didnt do anything different.  Can you tell me how the SGUID is used?  Meaning..what is the concept behind having the group own the directory?  What is the purpose?  How can anyone create a file under that directory if it is owned by the group anyway?..Thanks.

 

by: Sp0ckyPosted on 2009-09-27 at 14:52:55ID: 25435664

Ahh thanks.  Makes perfect sense1!

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