How do you chmod a file that is -r--------?

hopbalt · 08-05-2003, 01:47 PM

If I login as root, how do I edit this file?

tangle · 08-05-2003, 01:50 PM

chmod 700

hopbalt · 08-05-2003, 02:23 PM

So even though the file permissions specifically state that root can only read the file, its still possible to edit the file so that root can do the other stuff too?

that seems contradictory to me. I guess the file permissions dont apply if you are logged in as root

redhax8 · 08-05-2003, 04:41 PM

If the permissions are -r-------- then root can only read the file, not write to it. If you do a chmod 700 as tangle said the permissions will now be -rwx------ so the owner of the file and root can read, write to, or, if it is a script, execute it.

sub_slack · 08-05-2003, 05:32 PM

> If the permissions are -r-------- then root can only read the file, not write to it

root can do whatever he wants

Skyline · 08-05-2003, 05:45 PM

Quote:

If the permissions are -r-------- then root can only read the file, not write to it. If you do a chmod 700 as tangle said the permissions will now be -rwx------ so the owner of the file and root can read, write to, or, if it is a script, execute it.

Root user can write to anything - have a look at this.

Use a

chmod 400 filename

to create this permission pattern on an ordinary users file.

-r--------

(check it with ls -l filename)

Then - log in as Root user and you'll find you can write to the file as Root user , even considering the permission pattern and the owner.

Proud · 08-05-2003, 05:48 PM

Root can at least always change the permissions so he can do anything.
But I've noticed things like apache files only being accessable by the user apache until I'd alter permissions or change user.