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Re: How to understand which access control mechanism is in use for X server?



On Tue, Jan 07, 2014 at 07:57:38PM +0000, Martin T wrote:
>    Hi,
>    there are multiple access control mechanisms for X server like access
>    based on host(xhost) or access based on cookie(xauth). Are both usually
>    enabled at the same time? If yes, then which one is checked first? Are
>    both active? I mean for example once I enable host with xhost, then do I
>    need to configure xauth as well?

According to the Xsecurity(7) manpage[1], there are at least 5
mechanisms (Host access, MIT-MAGIC-COOKIE-1, XDM-AUTHORIZATION-1,
SUN-DES-1 and Server Interpreted). These can all be available at the
same time.

I don't know this for certain, but I would expect host authorisation to
happen first, then the cookies to happen in a sort of "any allowed"
mode. That is, if a client can't connect to the server (because of xauth
denying it), then it can't exchange a cookie. If it does connect, it'll
present a cookie and I would expect that any allowed cookie is good
enough for access.

Again, this isn't based on any evidence, just  what I'd expect to
happen.

[1]
http://manpages.debian.org/cgi-bin/man.cgi?query=Xsecurity&sektion=7&apropos=0&manpath=Debian+7.0+wheezy&locale=

>    regards,
>    Martin

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