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Re: using sudo (was Re: bash login for root)



On Thu, Sep 14, 2000 at 12:31:27PM -0700, kmself@ix.netcom.com wrote:

> The advantage in a multiuser environment is that you providing (and
> controlling) root access at the user level rather than at the system
> level.  Eg, Tim, Bob, Alice, and Nate have access to a system.  Tim,
> Alice, and Nate are admins.  Nate is canned for violating company SOP.
> 
> If Tim, Alice, and Nate shared the root password, you need to:
> 
>    - Change the root password.
>    - Tell Tim and Alice
> 
> If root access was provided via sudo:
> 
>    - Remove Nate from the /etc/sudoers file.

you could also accomplish this by creating mulitple uid=0 accounts
with different passwords, at least that way if Tim gets his user
password stolen its not an automatic root compromise.  

also if Nate was really evil/disgrunteled he may have installed a
rootkit or backdoor before he was canned.  in which case sudo or not
your screwed anyway ;-)

> In no case do you have to worry about poor old Bob, who's just a dumb
> luser.  Maybe you want to give him limited access to the print queue --
> see the sudo docs for info on how to do this.
> 
> Use of sudo also allows denying *all* remote root access.  Hit the
> system as a normal user first, then go root.

so does PermitRootLogin no and pam_wheel.

-- 
Ethan Benson
http://www.alaska.net/~erbenson/

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