I'm trying to run applications remotely through the web (apache). For example, to make the remote system start mplayer.

If I try locally to run mplayer as me, it works, but If I try

sudo su www-data

then

Mplayer <file name>

It won't work. 'Xlib: client is not authorized to connect to server'.

I can't run allot of applications because it appears to be a permission thing.

More info:
So I've found that to start a windowed ap like mplayer or totem, you have to use "xhost +" command, as whom-ever currently owns the display. that's not such a big deal anymore and I'm really not caring about running a windowed application... however, I am still needing to run commands (I was just using mplayer as a test application to run).

so... if I sudo su www-data and issue a simple 'rm *.jpg', I get operation not permitted.

I've changed /etc/group so www-data is in all groups (except admin, etc) that my user is in. Still no go. Is it a 'nobody' thing???

Any (any) idea's at all will be helpful.

probably youshouldnt switch to root as root may not connect to the X server as the message says.

for the rm command (that is probably excuted in php?) Resides the file in the documentRoot? May be the crucial spot...

What are the permissions of the directory in which you are executing this command? Try
Have you considered running the webserver as the desired user, instead of www-data?

Groetjes,

Kees-Jan

Running apache as a 'real' user fixed it. Thanks.

Now, I'm off to try and figure out why I can't get totem or mplayer to start on the remote system... not for any real application, just that I can't do it is all.

Totem and realplayer want to connect to the graphics screen. It has its own security system. Try looking into "xauth".

Then again, running apache as the user who is logged in should fix that too.

Groetjes,

Kees-Jan