links -g (svgalib and permissions)

heri0n · 12-01-2004, 09:53 AM

Does anyone know how to run links in graphical mode without setting the setuserid bit? I think it would be quite dangerous running a webbrowser as root...

From `man svgalib`

Quote:

Programs that use svgalib must be setuid root. I don't know how desirable it is to have this changed; direct port access can hardly be done without. Root privileges can now be given up right after initialization. I noticed some unimplemented stuff in the kernel header files that may be useful, although doing all register I/O via the kernel would incur a significant context-switching overhead. An alternative might be to have a pseudo /dev/vga device that yields the required permissions when opened, the device being readable by programs in group vga.

Has anyone figured this out?

If this isn't possible, can anyone recommend another graphical console browser which doesn't require svgalib?

geniarse · 12-01-2004, 11:40 AM

I don't have the suid set on links binary, and graphical mode works absolutely fine (version 2.1_pre15)

heri0n · 12-01-2004, 11:45 AM

Um that helps me a real lot...

I am also using Links 2.1pre15 and Slackware 10...

heri0n · 12-02-2004, 02:38 PM

tims1979 · 01-12-2005, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by heri0n
bump

Did you ever get it fixed on yours?

What I did was a

chmod u+s /usr/bin/links

And now it will work as a regular user.

geletine · 06-21-2005, 04:45 AM

i ran links -g which can use svgalib, (there are alternatives) using su, on the svgalib webpage, it says once the program is running all privalaged access is disabled, does that mean its safe to run as a user using su?

its possible to get links to work under x, although i type "links -driver x" it won't allow it, perhaps i have to recompile links again with a prefix?

if its safe to use under svgalib, i leave it as that, i'm just a little worried.