Shell Script with Superuser Power?

evilDagmar · 06-14-2006, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoko

I'm going to guess that the suid method wouldn't work because the script isn't being executed, it's invoking a seperate application then feeding it commands. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

The system rejects it because there's a race condition involved that makes _scripts_ inherently unsafe with respect to changing uids. It's not a matter of it falling through the cracks or whatever. It's outright forbidden with good reason.

Alien Bob · 06-14-2006, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by halfpower

Thanks AB. That seemed to do the trick. Why though, do I still have to type sudo? Is there any particular reason to put the script in the /usr/local/bin/ directory?

The /usr/local/bin directory is the common location for scripts and program that you add to the system yourself. The fact that you still have to use sudo before the command is because you insisted it must be run by non-root users and the commands in the script need to be run with root privileges. The "sudo /usr/local/bin/start_wireless.sh" matches with a line in the "/etc/sudoers" file and thus the script will execute with root privileges. If you would run it yourself as "/usr/local/bin/start_wireless.sh" then the programs would execute with your privileges which is not sufficient.

Eric