nanog mailing list archives
Re: Security Practices question
From: Scott Francis <darkuncle () darkuncle net>
Date: Mon, 23 Sep 2002 14:44:34 -0700
On Sun, Sep 22, 2002 at 03:22:11PM -0700, john () chagresventures com said:
I have question for the security community on NANOG. What is your learned opinion of having host accounts (unix machines) with UID/GID of 0:0 otherwords jmbrown_r:password:0:0:John M. Brown:/export/home/jmbrown:/bin/mysh The argument is that way you don't hav to give out the root password, you can just nuke a users UID=0 equiv account when the leave and not have to change the real root account.
This is a really /really/ REALLY bad idea. I had nightmare issues dealing with a network formerly run by a 'sysadmin' who thought every user that might need to do something as root should have a uidzero account. I seriously cannot think of ANY scenario, no matter how improbable, in which what you're suggesting would be a good idea (or even defensible).
Now, don't flame me over the question, but provide valid pro's or con's for this practice from your experience.
Names on accounts are strictly an abstraction to make interacting with the system easier for us dumb humans. In reality, there is only one UID 0, no matter how many copies of it you make. This means there is NO difference between giving out the root password to everybody, and giving everybody UID 0 accounts. None. As far as the system is concerned, the two are one and the same.
thank you. the reason I'm asking is important.
Even were it not, I'd still urge you - please do not consider this a valid option.
john brown
-- -= Scott Francis || darkuncle (at) darkuncle (dot) net =- GPG key CB33CCA7 has been revoked; I am now 5537F527 illum oportet crescere me autem minui
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Current thread:
- Security Practices question John M. Brown (Sep 22)
- Re: Security Practices question Bradley Dunn (Sep 22)
- Really, really, really off topic, but (was Re: Security Practices question) Etaoin Shrdlu (Sep 22)
- Re: Really, really, really off topic, but (was Re: Security Practices question) John M. Brown (Sep 22)
- Re: Security Practices question Allan Liska (Sep 22)
- Re: Security Practices question Ryan Fox (Sep 22)
- Re: Security Practices question D'Arcy J.M. Cain (Sep 23)
- Re: Security Practices question E.B. Dreger (Sep 22)
- Re: Security Practices question Barb Dijker (Sep 23)
- Re: Security Practices question Scott Francis (Sep 23)