Whenever i try to use gcc it gives me the error "Permission Denied." I know what you are going to say just use "chmod a+rx /usr/bin/gcc," but that doesn't work. I can't see the whole /usr/bin directory it says "Permission Denied." This is a shell I have on my friend's box and he has tried everything he said. I told him to just let me use "ls" the whole /usr/bin directory but he doesn't want me to. I think that might be the problem because he isn't letting me see the /usr/bin directory. If you have any suggestions you can also catch me on AIM at pr0disageek or IRC at irc.phawked.org #phawked.

Have you tried chmod'ing the actual folder?
And have you tried acessing the folder and gcc while root?

Garry

I am confused...

Your buddy doesn't want to let you see what is in there? Like he has top secret program or something, and they are in his PATH?

Anyway...

If he is trying to access this directories via the GUI (which is the sound of things since you can't use ls to view it? ) and the directory has a lock on it, then he can't access the directory with his user.

So, like GT said, and you said, chmod it, but the directory rather than the file inside it. You have to gain access to each thing in sequence. If you own something inside someone elses directory, you still can't access it without permission to enter the directory.

SO:
chmod a+r /usr/bin

would be the minimum needed for that.

Cool

Yeah I sort of figured that would be the answer. I had decided to get root on his box with an exploit I made in /sbin/linuxconf and tried it as root and that works. All this is not done using a GUI it's all terminal work. It might be an automated script or something who knows. But we figured out it happens everytime he reboots his computer. This is what he does everytime to give me access to gcc (chmod a+x /usr/bin/gcc). That seems to work until he reboots. Anymore ideas? He told me that he thinks he is chmodding the wrong file. He thinks it is /usr/bin/gcc-2.96 or something like that.