Problem in changing permissions

Arjun · 07-22-2012, 07:21 AM

I want to change the permission of a file in /proc/self called environ

When i change the permission of this file as a root

Quote:

chmod 777 environ

then i gets an error message

Quote:

chmod: changing permissions of `environ': Operation not permitted

Why i am not able to change the permissions ?

Thanks

Mr. Alex · 07-22-2012, 07:30 AM

/proc is a virtual filesystem. Why do you want to change permissions there?

Randicus Draco Albus · 07-22-2012, 07:31 AM

First; You may not be entering the proper command. (A mistake in the file path.)
Second; Why do you want to do this? I just checked this file.

Code:

GNOME_KEYRING_PID=405

You want to allow unlimited access to the keyring?

Mr. Alex posted before I did. His virtual file system sheds some light, but I am still confused.

Arjun · 07-22-2012, 07:33 AM

I am entering the proper command. I am sure

I just want to do it for some testing purpose

Is there any way to do this ?

pixellany · 07-22-2012, 07:59 AM

You have to have the right permissions on the parent folder before you can change what's inside.

Bad news: diddling with proc can crash your system in a hurry---I hope you have a good reason

snowday · 07-22-2012, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arjun

I am entering the proper command. I am sure

I just want to do it for some testing purpose

Is there any way to do this ?

You did it, you know the results of the test (permissions of /proc cannot be changed).

In the future, better to understand permissions and Linux file structure before testing (unless you are intentionally trying to break the system to see what will happen).

Mr. Alex · 07-22-2012, 08:00 AM

http://forums.debian.net/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=46494

Arjun · 07-22-2012, 08:13 AM

Ok

Thanks for your replies

I thought, as a root i can change the permission of it.

pixellany · 07-22-2012, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snowpine

You did it, you know the results of the test (permissions of /proc cannot be changed).

They can on my system:

Code:

[root@herring_desk /]# ls -l|grep proc
dr-xr-xr-x 208 root root     0 Jul 20 04:56 proc
[root@herring_desk /]# chmod 777 proc
[root@herring_desk /]# ls -l|grep proc
drwxrwxrwx 208 root root     0 Jul 20 04:56 proc

(Yes, I changed it back----No, I don't do this kind of thing....

)

Mr. Alex · 07-22-2012, 09:11 AM

Can you change them inside of /proc?

pixellany · 07-22-2012, 11:44 AM

Yes....

chrism01 · 07-22-2012, 06:42 PM

Given that /proc is basically a window into the kernel, any change will vanish on reboot.
I've heard of people changing content in there, but never ownerships or perms...

bsat · 07-23-2012, 01:16 AM

You can change the permissions of files under /proc.
OP: If you are trying to change the permissions using sudo, try logging in as root and then change the permissions i.e.
"sudo -i" will change you to root then use chmod and see if you can chnge the permissions.